SANFORD — Maybe part of it is because he went to school here. Maybe it’s because of his family and community ties. Maybe its because he loves music and engaging students. Or maybe it’s all of those qualities and a whole lot more.

Since Joshua Champagne, 34, became Sanford High School Band director three years ago, the band has hit a lot of high notes. The size of the band has grown by double digits, musicians are getting out more in the public eye, there’s a new winter drum line, and the concert band is growing so much, there might be two bands next year.

Champagne, who graduated from Sanford High School in 1999, served four years in the U.S. Marines, where he was a percussionist. There were some other jobs after the Marines, but opportunity knocked three years ago, and he’s back in the town where he was born and raised, and he’s loving it.

And the work he’s accomplished is getting noticed, locally and nationally. Champagne has been named by School Band and Orchestra magazine as one of 50 band directors across the country – one from each state – who is making a difference in his community.

Champagne was working in the computer industry in 2009 and wasn’t feeling particularly fulfilled about it, he said in an interview Wednesday. So when he was laid off in the economic slump, he reassessed, went back to the books, and graduated from the University of Southern Maine’s School of Music. By that time, Sanford’s longtime high school band director Matt Doiron had decided to pursue other interests, and Champagne applied for the position.

A couple of years ago, he started the winter drum line program that now sports 36 students.

The concert band now has 55 students, up from 18, and he’s expecting 70 students in the fall, so there may be two bands. Also the jazz band is up to a full complement of 22 members.

Band is an elective for high school students, and Champagne said he’s seeing most students who elect the course sign up for an entire school year, rather than just one semester.

Part of the reason for the popularity, he said, is because the bands and drum line are entering more festivals and competitions and they’re out there, in the community.

“It builds kids’ interest and investment in the program,” he said. “Kids are seeing the successes and want to be a part of it.”

Those who attended the Holly Daze parade a couple of weeks ago saw and heard the marching band. There was also a school holiday concert last week that filled the cafeteria.

In an interview for School Band and Orchestra magazine, Champagne was asked his proudest moment. He replied: “Seeing the brand new winter drum line take the floor for the first time. Seeing a student (who) ‘hated’ band come around to love it again. Reviving our community band. Seeing a student take ownership of a rehearsal. Watching the marching band have its best performance ever. Seeing my first student accepted into music school. A first place finish. A gold medal. Getting them to love good music. Watching that shy, quiet kid become a real performer. Bringing the jazz band to its first-ever festival. Bringing my first kids to All-State. My ‘World’s Best Band Director’ certificate. Those moments when they truly get it. When a student says ‘Thank you,’ and really means it.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].