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= = = Welcome to the Band Program at Westfield South Middle School! = =//THREE C'S: COMMITMENT--COOPERATION--CONCENTRATION//=


 * Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Conference**
 * Patrick Kennedy, Lowell Mason Award**

Beginning his trumpet studies at Westfield’s Highland Elementary School with fellow Lowell Mason Award Recipient Douglas Ward as his first band teacher and primary influence, Patrick has gone on to enjoy a career in public school instrumental music education. In his first assignment at the Gateway Regional Middle School (Huntington, school population 600) in 1989, he grew the program from a 50 member band to over 250 students in two concert bands and two jazz ensembles—the top jazz ensemble consistently earning Gold Medals at IAJE Festivals. In 1997, he succeeded his high school band director and came back home to Westfield High School. The Westfield High School Band carries on their tradition of excellence under his baton. In the fall of 2015, Patrick launched a music program at Westfield Technical Academy in hopes of seeing even more Westfield kids have the same opportunities he had as a student. Patrick is a Past Chairperson of MMEA-Western District, currently serves as MMEA-WD Jazz Coordinator, served as 2001 All State Jazz Ensemble Manager and has managed numerous Western Massachusetts MMEA ensembles. In addition, he served for many years as IAJE Western Massachusetts Chairperson. Patrick was honored by Mayor Sullivan with the 2005 Westfield Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award and received the 2007 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award sponsored by the Grinspoon Foundation. Patrick resides in Westfield with his wife Laurie, step-daughter Melanie, grandson Gavyn, their puppy Roxie, three cats and a school of fish. ||
 * [[image:Kennedy.JPG width="204" height="255"]] || Patrick Kennedy earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Westfield State College (’84) and a Master of Music degree from the University of Connecticut, Storrs (’97). A lifelong resident of Westfield, Patrick is proud to serve as Secondary Level Lead Music Teacher for the Westfield Public Schools. This position began in the fall of 2014 and includes oversight of the music program, curriculum development, long range planning and special assignments including the Westfield Public Schools District Literacy Team.

= A Huge Congratulations to the following South Middle School students who made it into the MMEA-WD (Massachusetts Music Educators Association Western Districts Festival) for 2016: =

==On Saturday December 5th, a number of our band and chorus students represented South Middle School well at the MMEA-WD Western Districts Auditions at Westfield State University. They competed against other musicians grades 7-9 on their respective instruments and vocal parts.==

These students will be performing in an All-Star concert on March 19th at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wibraham.
=Kudos on an exceptional concert!!!!!!!=

Dear Students and Parents, Wednesday, November 18, 2015 I’m very excited to announce our upcoming Winter Concert to be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 7:00p.m. in the Westfield South Middle School Auditorium. We will be featuring a variety of musical styles and student performing groups. This will be a very high-end concert with many new innovations. Students are reminded to wear their band shirts tucked in, khaki or tan pants, and black shoes. The new band shirts will be arriving prior to the concert.
 * SMS Band Program, Director: Luke Baillargeon **

All band students must be in the band room set up and ready to go for 6:15. This is when we will begin the warming-up and tuning process. Sixth graders will go on at 7:00p.m., followed by the jazz band (approximately 7:30), followed by the 7th and 8th Grade Band (approximately 8:00) and will conclude with our Combined 6th 7th and 8th Grade Band at around 8:25. The entire concert will be completed around approximately 8:30. SIXTH GRADERS, PLEASE NOTE that you will be staying for the whole concert and performing for the last 2 selections.
 * TIMES**

There will be **NO admission** charge. Instead, we invite anyone **“who wishes”,** to give a recommended $2 donation or more. Our main goal is to **__PACK__** the auditorium. We will advertise in the newspaper, school announcements, and flyers. Students will go on an “Audience Drive” in which they will get family and friends to “pledge” to attend the concert. We want as much of the public as possible to come and see what level of music our students are producing.
 * TICKETS**

We will be contacting parents via email and telephone to get some volunteers to help with a number of related activities. These activities include: supervision, welcome table, donations, etc. We truly appreciate your help.
 * VOLUNTEERS**

Several students will be enlisted to be greeters, pass out programs, and even do a little announcing. We truly appreciate your attention to these matters, and aim to “knock your socks off” with our program this year. Your kids are doing a fantastic job, and we anticipate an awesome Winter Concert.
 * STUDENT VOLUNTEERS:**

Sincerely, Luke Baillargeon

= A Huge Congratulations to the following South Middle School students who made it into the MMEA-WD (Massachusetts Music Educators Association Western Districts Festival) for 2015: = = __Hannah Bruno__ (Chorus) grade 6, __Diana Stuzhuk__ on percussion, grade 8, __Ruth Krapova__ on Flute grade 8, __Aaron Muldrew__ on French Horn grade 7, and __Hadleigh Leclair__ on trumpet grade 7. They will be performing at The University of Massachusetts Amherst (Fine Arts Center) on Saturday March 14th at 3:00p.m. Outstanding job students! =

Also, be it known that __Hannah Bruno__ from 6th Grade Chorus (and plays clarinet and oboe in the band) has made it into the Massachusetts All-State Treble Chorus (Elementary 4-6) for the second year in a row. For the 2015 Season, she will be performing at the Seaport Boston Hotel on Saturday March 21st at 3:00 p.m. Many schools across Massachusetts have auditioned their 4th Grade through 6th grade singers (Chorus students) in excess of 600 auditionees, and only 200 performed at a high enough level to be accepted, and Hannah was one of them. Congratulations!

//Mr. Baillargeon' s educational #|youtube channel:// [] Dear Students and Parents, Monday, February 23, 2015
 * SMS Band Program, Director: Luke Baillargeon **

I’m very excited to announce our upcoming March Concert (Music in Our Schools Month [MIOSM]) to be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 7:00p.m. in the Westfield South Middle School Auditorium. We will be featuring a variety of musical styles and student performing groups. This will be a very fun event. Students are reminded to wear their band shirts tucked in, khaki or tan pants, and black shoes.

All band students must be in the band room set up and ready to go for 6:15. This is when we will begin the warming-up and tuning process. Sixth graders will go on at 7:00p.m., followed by the jazz band (approximately 7:30), followed by the 7th and 8th Grade Band (approximately 8:00) and will conclude with our Combined 6th 7th and 8th Grade Band at around 8:25. The entire concert will be completed around approximately 8:30. SIXTH GRADERS, PLEASE NOTE that you will be staying for the whole concert and rejoining us on stage for the very last song.
 * TIMES**

There will be **NO admission** charge. Instead, we invite anyone **“who wishes”,** to give a $1 or $2 donation. Our main goal is to **__PACK__** the auditorium. We will advertise in the newspaper, school announcements, and flyers. Students will go on an “Audience Drive” in which they will get family and friends to “pledge” to attend the concert. We want as much of the public as possible to come and see what level of music our students are producing.
 * TICKETS**

We will be contacting parents via email and telephone to get some volunteers to help with a number of related activities. These activities include: supervision, welcome table, donations, etc. We truly appreciate your help.
 * VOLUNTEERS**

Several students will be enlisted to be greeters, pass out programs, and even do a little announcing. We truly appreciate your attention to these matters, and aim to “knock your socks off” with our program this year. Your kids are doing a fantastic job, and we anticipate an awesome Winter Concert.
 * STUDENT VOLUNTEERS:**

Sincerely, Luke Baillargeon

Below is some research linking participation in music with positive outcomes in education and in life.



Westfield South Middle School
 * Home of the Westfield South Middle School Band **


 * Director: Mr. Luke Baillargeon, lu.baillargeon@schoolsofwestfield.org **