LYNDEBOROUGH – The Florence Rideout Elementary School 4th and 5th grade band (with some help from the Middle School band) made their debut on Thursday with a concert at the Central School. They played “Jingle Bells,” after which several players explained their instruments to the kindergartners: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, bells, drums and a xylophone.

The band then led a sing-a-long of “Deck the Halls,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” They concluded the concert with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” played on ukuleles.

Director Kristrina Aparo began the band in October. For most of the students, it was their first time on an instrument, and for all of them the first time playing together.

Superintendent Bryan Lane congratulated them all and said he hoped, in a few years, “to see most of you in the high school band.”

“Mrs. Claus” also attended the concert. Afterward she visited the classrooms and read stories.

All students also made gingerbread houses, molded of graham crackers over a milk carton and decorated with frosting and candies.