Dear 5th Grade Students and Parents,
We are pleased to announce that it is time to begin the process to sign up for beginning band, orchestra and choir for next year. In the
next several weeks we will go through the process of enrolling fifth graders so that they may be in beginning band, orchestra and choir
classes when they are sixth graders at PCMS. These classes will meet as a regular part of the instructional day, and it is necessary to
make instrument selection decisions this year so that students can be scheduled into the appropriate sixth grade class.
Please see the process as outlined below. We encourage every one of you to become involved!
1. On March 1, 2023 Princeton District 5th graders will come to Matthews Auditorium for a special performance by the PCMS
Concert Orchestra and Concert Band as an opportunity to hear how instruments sound together in a group and to begin to think about
choosing an instrument for next school year. Please tear off the bottom portion of this letter and return to your elementary music
teacher to indicate permission to attend this field trip.
2. March 6-22, teams of PCMS music teachers will visit each elementary school and provide detailed information about instrument
and choir options, how to choose an instrument, and how to sign up for band or orchestra and choir at PCMS for the 2023-2024 school
year. This will be an opportunity for your child to see and hear each instrument by itself. An informational brochure will be sent home
with every 5th grader following this presentation.
3. “Try-it” night for all interested 5th graders and their parents will take place on March 22, 6:00-8:00 p.m. in Matthews Auditorium,
150 Viking Way. Students will have a chance to try the instruments and parents can have all their questions answered. Most of the
instruments have a limited number of spaces available. Official SIGN UPS for 6th Grade Band, Orchestra and Choir will be available
online on March 22 starting at 8:00pm. We will take students on a first-come/first-serve/best fit for you basis. Once all of the spots are
filled, you will need to select a different instrument.
Please note that this may be the only opportunity for students to join the band and orchestra programs at Princeton. We are trying to be
very thorough in presenting information so parents and students can make a careful and informed decision about starting an
instrument. Being a member of the band, orchestra and choir can provide many benefits to young people; research shows that music
study contributes to academic success and character development as well as to musical and social growth. For many of our students,
membership in the Princeton band, orchestra and choir becomes one of the most valuable experiences of their school years. We look
forward to discussing our program with you in the weeks ahead.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kristen Brown Mrs. Syndy Casey Mrs. Shelley Miley
PCMS Band PCMS Orchestra PCMS Choir
krbrown@vikingmail.org scasey@vikingmail.org smiley@vikingmail.org