BIDDEFORD — If it’s true that all hearts come home for Christmas, then members of the Biddeford Intermediate School Band are truly pumped up this holiday season.

Some of the 160 student musicians in the band performed during two different concerts Wednesday at the Biddeford Middle School Performing Arts Center, and judging from the thunderous applause they received, they’re learning to play music together superbly.

According to BIS Band Director Jillian Cote, the BIS band program is made up of fourth- and fifth-graders with three levels of band students in the band, including advanced fifth-graders who started playing in fourth grade, and beginning fifth- and fourth-graders who are just learning to play music.

“About half of the school is in the band program,” Cote said. “The concerts included a smaller group and consist of only advanced fifth-grade band members.”

She said that Biddeford is blessed compared to most school districts because many schools don’t offer a beginning band program until students reach fifth grade.

“We are really lucky in Biddeford to have a program that starts in fourth grade,” Cote said. “The BIS band is accessible to all students who are interested.”

The school has a large supply of school instruments available to any student who might not be able to afford the regular instrument rental, Cote said, and fifth-grade grade students have a weekly small group lesson and a weekly full band rehearsal during recess.

“Fourth-grade students have a weekly small group lesson and start full band rehearsals in mid-January,” she said.

During Wednesday morning’s concert performed for their fellow BIS students and teachers, the band peforrmed seven selections. 

Those musical numbers included “Percussion Rhythms,” “Miramar Fanfare,” “Jingle Bells,” “My County Tis’ of Thee,” “Dragonfire,” “Frere Jacques” and “Christmas Fun.”   

“We want everyone to know that the band has been practicing at recess and practicing a lot lately to get ready for this concert,” Cote said. “We’ve been preparing for these concerts since the start of the school year.”

In the evening concert, BIS musicians performed “Miramar Fanfare” with members of the Biddeford High School Band.

Talia Poisson, 10, a fifth-grader, plays the flute in the BIS Band and said she was thrilled to learn that she would have a chance to perform in a concert with the high school band.

“My sister Emily plays clarinet with the high school band and I’m happy to have a chance to actually be in a concert with her,” she said.

Poisson said she’s found that the hardest aspect of performing with the band is keeping her back straight in playing her flute while seated.

“It’s hurts a little to stay in that position for a long time, but that’s the discipline you need to have if you play in the band,” she said. 

Trumpeter Ben Descoteaux, 10, a fifth-grader, said this is his second year performing with the band and he enjoys playing music for others.

“I tried the recorder first and I liked it and wanted to give the trumpet a chance,” Descoteaux said. “I like the music teacher and learning all of the notes.”

For fifth-grader Kayla Arsenault, 9, playing the flute in the BIS Band has been an adjustment.

“It’s not much fun to practice all the time,” she said. “But I thought it would be cool to do this and I can deal with all the the practicing because I do like playing in the band.”

Cote said the success of the band program at BIS continues to grow and it’s something she’s tremendously proud of. 

“When I started in 2005 there were about 50 students in the program total of both fourth- and fifth-grades combined and our first concert only had about 15 students,” she said.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com