A few quick questions about the Sanford High School Marching Band’s competition season soon became a celebration of community and achievement as a dozen students filed into the hallway outside of Band Director Hailey Francoeur's classroom, buzzing with excited chatter.
They swiftly began enthusiastically recounting the MBDA State Finals, where they recently achieved gold at Biddeford’s Waterhouse Field on October 24. Rather than measuring their ranking against other schools, the gold signifies attaining an established standard of performance excellence. Sanford earned five stars overall, as judges recognized the technical and stylistic quality of their performance.
Though this year’s show felt more physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging than in years past, students emphasized the dedication and hard work each member poured into both practice and performance. “People were really determined this year,” stated Alyss Drury. Reflecting on their MBDA gold, she added, “with what we did, we deserved it.”
For Katie Waters, attaining gold was especially meaningful, as it marked her first time receiving a medal for a musical performance. “I was super proud of myself,” she said with a smile. Though she joined the band midseason, Marching Band quickly became a significant part of her year because her fellow musicians never made her feel like an outsider.
As the students shared memories of the season, it became clear that their success could not be solely attributed to individual effort or musical talent. “This year, we focused a lot on building a stronger community,” emphasized Drum Major Keaghan Gagnon. The other members nodded in agreement as he discussed the sense of belonging they created together, mentioning activities members participated in on Finals day to build excitement and camaraderie.
For members like Keaghan, Marching Band also provides opportunities to assume leadership roles and learn the value of working as a team. With a band consisting largely of seniors and first-year members this season, students have had the opportunity to both mentor others and learn from their more experienced peers. Ax Courtney, a member of the front ensemble, expressed particular pride for the section’s growth and performance, as all but one member were entirely new this year, many of them eighth graders.
For Sanford students, Marching Band has become less like an extracurricular and more like a family - a place where no one is an outlier, but everyone is welcomed and embraced, or “absorbed” in, as one student elocuted. Lily Jacobs emphasized this point, adding that Marching Band gives students “a community and a reason to come to school.” She noted that the experience not only pushes them towards musical achievement, but also inspires them to be their best outside the band room.
This year's show, Shades of Red, brought another dimension to the students' experience, presenting mental, physical, and emotional challenges. Centered on themes of emotion and feeling, the performance encouraged students to channel more of their own emotions into the show. By the end, many found themselves in tears - not out of sadness, but from the joy and pride of knowing they had given their all.
Evan Lynch recalled the expectation at competitions to appear “celebratory” after completing a performance or earning a medal. “I didn’t even have to act,” he stated honestly.
“Winning gold at finals was a reflection of all of the hard work that was put in and all of the friendships that were created,” added Perry Durgan.
The community built within the SHS Marching Band is a lasting one. While students acknowledged the sadness of watching friends graduate and move on to new chapters, the bonds they created and memories they shared remain long after their time in the band. Many former members even return after graduation to visit old friends or cheer them on at their shows.
For Senior Wren Trivilino, that sense of belonging has made this year all the more meaningful. “It’s my senior year and these are our home finals,” Wren began, concluding with a smile, “I wouldn’t have picked anywhere else to be.”
But Wren and the other seniors aren’t finished yet. They will compete in the USBands New England Finals on Saturday, October 31, carrying with them the hard work they have poured into their music, and the friendships and community that have grown alongside it.