Central Woodlands staff outline 5th-grade "music fittings" that guide students into band, choir, orchestra

The board heard an instructional highlight from Central Woodlands staff about the district's 5th-grade "music fittings" process, an event designed to let students preview and choose choir, band or orchestra for their 6th-grade music tracks. Principal Burton Majors introduced the segment and said the fittings let students "start to choose their musical path, to choose their musical journey" as they prepare to move to middle school.

Choir and music teachers described the logistics and the student experience. Pam Kriegard, a Central Woodlands teacher, said she has run fittings "for 27 years of my 28 years of teaching," calling it "the first time that they ever get to choose something for themselves." Michelle Benjamin, who teaches 6th-grade band, described scheduling and the fittings concert in March when 6th graders perform for 5th graders. Andrew Poole, representing Forest Hills Central music staff, framed the fittings as the start of a multi-year trajectory into ensemble music for students.

Teachers said the district sends a letter to families in February explaining the process, collects preference forms by spring break, and uses those returns to plan class assignments for the next year. "So the journey, it actually starts in about early September," one teacher said, describing how teachers reserve fittings dates and recruit retired band directors and staff volunteers to support instrument tryouts. The presentation closed with a short snippet from the concert and expressions of appreciation for family support of the music program.