“Instrument Test Drive” for All Current 4th Grade Students
Saturday, April 27
Chelmsford High School
Dear Families of Grade 4 Students,
We are looking forward to welcoming our incoming fifth graders to the middle school art and music programs! We know that you may have questions about arts options in grade 5. Please read the information below about our program and an upcoming opportunity for your child to try instruments as they consider their arts class for next year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the arts options in grade 5?
In grade 5, students select either performance music (Band, Chorus, or Orchestra) for a full year, or art for half of the year and general music for half of the year. (Art and general music classes in grade 5 are similar to those offered in elementary school.)
Are these classes held during the school day?
What if my child wants to take performance music (band, chorus, or orchestra) and also participate in visual art?
Students who take performance music who would also like to explore the grade-level art curriculum are encouraged to join the Art Club, which is an after-school club facilitated by a Parker art teacher. All students take art classes in grade 7-8, regardless of whether they participate in music ensembles.
When do we make decisions about grade 5 arts block?
To support you and your child in preparing to select an arts block class for next year, we are pleased to offer an opportunity for grade 4 students to “Test Drive” many of the instruments offered in the 5th grade beginning instrument programs in their ensembles and meet the grade 5 band and orchestra teachers. This event is for ALL current grade 4 students in the Chelmsford Public Schools.
This event will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 9:00 a.m.– 11:15 a.m. at Chelmsford High School, 200 Richardson Road. Please use the main high school entrance (NOT the Carl J. Rondina Performing Arts Center entrance). We hope this program will help to ease the transition for students entering the 5th grade by helping them decide if they may want to participate in band or orchestra, and which family of instruments may be most appealing to them. At the Test Drive event, students will be given a brief overview of each instrument, and then will be given a chance to play instruments offered in their ensembles. We will also provide information about options for instrument rentals at the event.
In order to help keep the day moving smoothly, students from our four elementary schools are scheduled at the following suggested times:
Byam: 9:00
Harrington 9:30
South Row: 10:00
Center: 10:30
Please feel free to contact me or any of the teachers at any time through the contact information listed below. We are all looking forward to welcoming this class to Parker Middle School!
See you on April 27!
Sincerely,
Dr. Christy Whittlesey
PK-12 Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator
Email: whittleseyc@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Teacher Contact Information
Band: Eric Linsner linsnere@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Chorus: Martha Robertson robertsonm@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Orchestra: Lisa Tiano tianol@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
General Music: Dan Schmunk schmunkd@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Visual Art: Dawnmari Annunziata annunziatad@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Other events hosted by the Fine and Performing Arts Department this year to support the grade 4-5 transition:
Grade 4-12 Choralfest (February)
Grade 5 ensemble performances for all grade 4 students (February)
The K-12 Youth Art Month Exhibit is on display through the month of March at the Chelmsford Public Library to view art at each level
A video will soon be available on each elementary school’s website further detailing choices for grade 5 Fine and Performing Arts
Instrument Test Drive is scheduled on April 27
Parker Spring Concerts at the Carl J. Rondina Performing Arts Center (free/open to all)
Tuesday, May 7: Parker Band 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 14: Orchestra 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15: Chorus 6 p.m.
