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Forest Hills showcases fifth-grade "music fittings" that guide students into band, choir or orchestra
Summary
At its April 21 meeting the Forest Hills Board of Education heard an instructional highlight about Central Woodlands’ fifth-grade music “fittings,” a multi-step program that lets students try choir, wind/brass, and string instruments and helps families and teachers plan students’ sixth‑grade music placements.
The Forest Hills Board of Education at its April 21 meeting heard an instructional presentation on Central Woodlands Elementary School’s fifth‑grade "music fittings," a program that lets students sample choir, band and orchestra before selecting a musical track for sixth grade.
Central Woodlands Principal Mrs. Book Nature introduced the program and said it helps students “choose their musical journey” as they prepare for middle school. Pam Kriegard, a Central Woodlands music teacher, described long personal experience with the process: “I have been teaching at Central Woodlands since the day that it opened.”
The presentation summarized how the fittings work over the school year. Teachers schedule fittings dates in September, send a family letter in February, and hold a fittings concert in March when sixth‑grade students perform for fifth graders. Michelle Benjamin, a sixth‑grade band teacher, described the process: teachers bring retired band directors and instrument vendors to the school for hands‑on tryouts; students are asked to try up to three instruments plus choir before returning preference forms by spring break.
Orchestra director Andrew Poole, who said he has led Forest Hills Central’s orchestra for 25 years, emphasized the program’s role in starting a students’ instrumental trajectory and in connecting students with teachers and returning sixth‑grade role models. Kriegard and other presenters highlighted students’ excitement when they “hold that instrument” and “make a sound they didn't know they could make.”
Teachers noted the fittings give staff practical data for scheduling next year’s ensembles: preference forms are compiled into class lists and used to size classes and plan instrumentation. The district presentation also referenced the larger music program calendar — fittings in March, instrument tryouts in classrooms thereafter, and recurring concerts through the year that include students from grades six through 12.
Board members were shown short excerpts of the fittings concert and heard teachers say the program improves student engagement and helps many students find a continuing music path as they move into middle school. The presentation concluded with district appreciation for parents’ and board support of the music program.
Central Woodlands’ fittings were presented as an instructional highlight; no board action or vote was required on the program itself at the meeting.
