After a 10-year hiatus, the Biddeford High School marching band returns. In August, a drum major, 27 musicians and five color guard members showed up for their first band camp. None had marched in a show before and some were still learning how to play instruments and twirl flags. But on Nov. 2, the band ran through their performance one last time before heading off to compete in the state finals. This "band of rookies" grew beyond everyone's expectations, director Chris Ferrell said.
Drum major Micaiah Wert, a senior at Biddeford High School, leads the marching band in a practice at Waterhouse Field before they head off to compete in band finals at Sanford High School. Wert was in elementary school the last time Biddeford High School had a marching band.
Marching band students relax together during a break at their final practice before heading to marching band finals on Nov. 2.
Visual designer and instructor Brandon Johnson, left, and band director Chris Ferrell,give a pep talk to the Biddeford High marching band students during their final practice.
Biddeford High School band comes together for a chant after their final practice. This is the first year Biddeford has had a marching band since 2009.
Jessica Johnson looks at the signatures of the marching band students on a gift the band gave her to thank her for being their "band mom." Johnson was a Biddeford marching band player in the late 1990s and wanted her son to have the same opportunity to play that she had. She wrote a four-page letter about the band that landed in the hands of Superintendent Jeremy Ray.
Color guard member freshman Mariah Desrochers sits with her teammates on the bus, about to leave for state finals.
Less than an hour before state finals, flute player Katie Dallaire practices steps with the band behind Sanford High.
A group stretch by the Biddeford High School band members, before performing in the state finals.
A last step before performing, color guard captain and senior Camdyn Cote is sprayed with glitter.
Freshman Joe Cyr hypes up the band moments before they march out to the field. The first season in a decade was a whirlwind as 33 students learned what it means to be a marching band.
Biddeford's marching band walks out on to the field.
Drum major Micaiah Wert turns to salute the crowd. She was in elementary school the last time Biddeford High School had a marching band. When she was asked to be drum major, she didn't even know what that meant.
The crowd at Sanford High School's field watches as Biddeford High School's band performs their piece at the finals.
Biddeford High School's band performs their eight-minute show, "Phoenix Rising," featuring music by Randall D. Standridge. "Being as we were resurrecting a band, we thought it would be fitting to use that piece," band director Chris Ferrell said.
Biddeford's band marches back to their practice area behind Sanford High after competing. They had to wait until all the other bands performed to find out their score.
Band director Chis Ferrell, center, celebrates with his "band of rookies," after the finals.
From clockwise at the top, Camdyn Cote, Joe Cyr, Micaiah Wert and Katerina Warner celebrate after their performance.
Standing at attention while waiting to hear their score are, from left, Aiden Maliski, percussion section leader, Micaiah Wert, drum major, and Camdyn Cote, color guard captain.
A teammate wipes a tear away from the face of drum major Micaiah Wert, who just finished her first and last marching band final of her high school career at Biddeford High.
Eating pickles after a competition was on old drumline tradition for the Biddeford marching band before their 10-year hiatus. This year they brought enough pickles for every band member.
Local & State 
