Welcome to the Fifth and Sixth Grade
Baldwin Middle School Band Web Site 

                                                          
                                                                        
                                                     Carol M. Fonicello - Band Director
                                                  Karen Clark - Assistant Band Director

and

The Baldwin Fifth and Sixth Grade Bands

Page last updated: February 10, 2012
WELCOME !

Your concerts were Wonderful!

Bravo!

PARENTS OF 5TH GRADE STUDENTS:  What a fabulous Concert!!  Congratulations 5th graders!  We are so proud of you!!  5th graders are now receiving their first real band pieces! They should be practicing what is assigned on their calendar and working the band pieces slowly. Thank you for signing the homework practice calendars!

     6th Grade Band: Your Concert was Awesome!! Students should be working on their new band pieces with correct notes, rhythms, and dynamics! Don't forget to write in your rhythms for page 39 in your A.O.A. book!  Check your key signatures and play using the dynamics marked in the music. Make sure you follow the assignments written on your practice calendars. You are responsible for practicing what has been assigned.

Don't forget to fill out your calendar and get it initialed by your parents,

then hand it in at your band lesson.

All band calendars are due at each band lesson, once per cycle.

BALDWIN BAND

Band Instrumentation:
Fifth Grade Band- flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, French horns, trumpets, trombones, baritone horns, tubas, and many percussion instruments.
Sixth Grade Band - oboe, piccolos, flutes, clarinets, bass clarinets, alto, tenor, & baritone saxophones, French horns, trumpets, trombones, baritone horns, tubas, and all kinds of percussion instruments!

*Concert Information and Dates: *

Winter Concert~

Wednesday, February 1, 2012* - Evening Concert - 5th grade Band     7:00-7:30pm

                                                                                      6th grade Band     8:30-9:15p

Thursday, February 2, 2012* - Morning Concert -    5th grade Band      9:45am

                                                                                      6th grade Band      8:30am

*Snow Date - Feb. 8th - evening concert, Feb. 9th, morning concert.

Spring Concert~

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - Evening Concert - 5th grade Band     7:00-7:30pm

                                                                               6th grade Band     8:30-9:15pm

Thursday, May 24, 2012 - Morning Concert -    5th grade Band     9:45am

                                                                               6th grade Band     8:30am

Appropriate concert dress for all performances consists of the following:

Girls - a dress; a skirt and blouse; or a dressy pants outfit - NO Mini Skirts or Shorts, NO HEELS or FLIP-FLOPS.  (any color)

Boys – nice pants, buttoned-down, collared Shirt and Tie, NO JEANS OR SHORTS! (any color)   

Practice and  Homework Policy for All Band Members:

All 5th and 6th grade band students should be practicing at least 4-5 times a week for 20-30 minutes each time, filling in their homework practice calendar, getting each time initialed by a parent/guardian, then handing it in at each band lesson for a grade.

Question: How many times will my child have band in a cycle?

Fifth Grade - if they take just band - 3 times, plus one group lesson of mixed instrumentation per six day cycle.
If they take chorus & band, or orchestra & band -2 times, plus one group lesson per six day cycle
Sixth Grade - if they take just band - 4 times, plus one group lesson per six day cycle
If they take chorus & band, or orchestra & band - 2 times a week, plus one group lesson of mixed instrumentation per six day cycle

It is very important for students to attend each small group band lesson with their completed homework practice calendar, instrument and supplies.

Ongoing events and future events:

Many college music students and professional musicians periodically come in to work with the band students and encourage them to continue in the music program!   

   *BALDWIN BAND ASSIGNMENTS: Please check the calendar in the band room made each month for student's assignments. Don't forget to play long tones to keep your embouchure strong.

Click Here For A Sample Practice Calendar :
(then use your back button to return to this page)
Band homework practice calendars are checked at each band lesson for a grade.When a lesson is missed for illness or other reasons, students are expected to hand in their calendars in the drop off box on the next day that they return to school. When there is a snow day, please remember that the letter day is carried over to the next day...no letter days are ever skipped. Please help your child to continue to be successful in band by making time in their busy schedules for them to practice.  All students, especially students moving on to Adams Middle School Band, should practice over the summer and keep their skills up for following year.

Policy for Students who Forget their Band Homework Practice Calendar from One Band Lesson to the next (every 8 days, or more):
1st time: Verbal warning

2nd time: Teacher will contact the student's parents via 

phone call or progress report, the student's effort grade is effected.
3rd time: Student will be sent to the dean, parents will be contacted again, and the student's grade drops.

Music Companies:

Over the last few years, the following three music companies have been delivering instruments and performing repairs when needed once per week for Baldwin. 

Stewart’s Music, L.L.C.

171 Main Street (Route 156)

Niantic, CT 06357                860-739-4141

Connecticut Music Company - (This is a warehouse, not a store that you may visit.)

P.O. Box 458

Westbrook, CT 06498         860-399-7018

Music & Arts

42 Main Street                                                                                                                  

East Hartford, CT 06118       860-568-0692

These are other businesses in the area. If you prefer to go to these businesses, you are responsible for picking up your instrument or bringing it in for repairs.

Fine Band Repairs- Jim and Judy Gebler

185 Whitfield Street

Guilford, CT 06437                       (203) 458-0330

Jim can check out a used instrument to see if it is in good playing condition.  They do repairs on site.

Madison Music Center                                                                      

Unit 1 - 1 Orchard Park                                                                    

Madison, CT 06443                      (203) 318-5007                       

They rent & sell instruments.

Performance Expectations:
When a student falls behind because of lack of practice, the band experience may become frustrating.  Students who practice on a regular basis find membership in the organization to be very enjoyable.  Students should be able to maintain performance expectations by practicing at home four to five times a week for 20 -30 minutes.  Please help us in encouraging your child to practice diligently and bring their calendar to every band lesson for a grade.  Please remember to initial their practice calendar when your child finishes each practice session.  If you would like to discuss the progress of your child, feel free to send a note in with your child or call Mrs. Fonicello or Mrs. Clark any day between 8:15 am 8:50 am. 

We want all our band students to be successful and perform beautifully to the best of their ability at our concerts!

Band Rewards:

1.   Very high verbal praise
3.   Mrs. Fonicello and Mrs. Clark's famous seasonal stickers and music pencils will be given out
4.   Solo and/or soli during band lesson, big band, and/or the concert
5.   Readers/presenters at the concerts
6 .  Select 5th grade students demonstrate their instrument to the fourth graders in May at the Fourth Grade        Orientation
7 . Select 6th grade students perform holiday music at the Cocoa Cafe
8.  Sixth grade band may take a trip to see the Coast Guard Band play in New London, CT
9.  Select 6th grade students will play piccolo, and use expensive school owned instruments to play bass clarinet, tenor and baritone saxophone in the 6th grade band
10. Students may pick a prize in the Music Mall. Students names and or practice calendars posted in the band room for all to see.
 

Preferred Method of Contact:
Building phone - #203-457-0222 ext. 0, to reach us directly between 8:15-8:50 any day
Building phone - #203-457-0222 ext. 355 voice mail      

Email: fonicelloc@guilford.k12.ct.us, clarkk@guilford.k12.ct.us

Send in a note with your child to drop off to us during homeroom, or in the band room drop off box, or in our office mailbox.
 
Mrs. Fonicello is affiliated with the Horns for Kids program for any family with a financial need for a band instrument.