students playing violins

2026 Instrument Selection Night

Posted on February 3, 2026

All incoming sixth grade students and families are encouraged to consider participating band or orchestra in middle school by learning an instrument. Don’t know how to play? No problem!

Our band and orchestra teachers, with the assistance of Penn High School Fine Arts Department, facilitates Instrument Selection Nights to help students choose.

Grissom’s will be Monday, March 9th and Tuesday, March 10th

4:30 – 7:30pm

Educational research shows that learning to play an instrument helps students experience team building, nurture creativity, enhance critical thinking and problem solving skills–not to mention learning presentation skills by participating in live concerts and performances.

Here’s what you need to begin your student’s musical journey:

STEP 1: Schedule your Appointment for an Instrument Selection Night by going to:
https://sites.google.com/phm.k12.in.us/phmisn/home

  • You must Schedule an appointment BEFORE You Attend an Instrument Selection Night.
    Please complete the google form using full contact information for US Postal mailing, email
    addresses and phone numbers for all parents/guardians.
  • At least one parent/guardian must attend the appointment with the incoming 6th grade student.
  • Please select 1-3 instruments that your student would be interested in trying while at Instrument
    Selection Night. Arriving with a list of instruments that are appealing will help your appointment move along
    more smoothly. (please limit your list to a maximum of 3 instruments)
  • Please note that some instrument sections fill quickly. Once filled, that instrument is no longer available for
    selection. To ensure that your student gets their preferred instrument choice, you are encouraged to attend an
    earlier selection night and time.

STEP 2: Attend the Instrument Selection Night

  • Monday, March 9th and Tuesday, March 10th
  • 4:30 – 7:30pm

STEP 3: Obtain Your Instrument

  • Each student must have an instrument in good playing condition for the first day of beginning summer classes.
    Quinlan & Fabish Music representatives are available to help you set up rental at Instrument Selection Night or
    you may obtain an instrument from another vendor. Teachers are happy to point you in the right direction when
    looking for another source for instrument rental or purchase.
  • PLEASE use caution if you deal with a vendor other than Quinlan & Fabish Music Company. (Ask the vendor –
    What is your recourse if the instrument needs repair or is not playable? What is your return policy?) We would
    advise against purchasing an instrument online. Many instruments purchased online do not work well and lead
    to frustrated students. Reputable music repair stores will not repair poor quality instruments, as they cannot
    guarantee repair or their workmanship.
  • If you wish to purchase an instrument, we would recommend the following brands:
    • String instruments (violin, viola, cello and bass): Eastman, Sheryl and Roth, Knilling, and Yamaha brands.
      Please have your child sized for the instrument. Playing on the correct size instrument will ensure their success and is crucial for injury-free playing.
    • Woodwind Instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone): Armstrong, Bach, Buffet, Conn, Emerson, Gemeinhardt, Haynes, LeBlanc, Selmer and Yamaha.
    • Brass Instruments (trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone): Bach, Conn, Eastman, Holton, King, and Yamaha.
    • Percussion Instruments: Specific equipment requirements will be shared for percussion at selection night appointments.
    • Again, the band and orchestra directors are happy to help you find an instrument for your student. Please
      contact your school’s director in advance of the first beginning summer class.
    • If your family has serious financial concerns, ask us about instruments available for use from the P-H-M
      Foundation.

STEP 4: Choose and Sign-up for a Summer Beginner Class Time

  • Classes TENTATIVELY begin Monday, July 20 and end Friday, August 7th
  • Classes are Monday – Friday and are 1 hour in length.

The first crucial music lessons take place in small, like-instrument classes. Students receive individualized attention to set
proper playing habits for future success. Please contact your student’s middle school band or orchestra teacher if they need
to miss any part of the summer classes. The teacher will connect you with an approved private teacher so your student stays
current with their class. Private lessons to make-up for lost class time should be completed by the first day of school and are
at the expense of the family.

Choose from these Summer Class Times:

  • Flute: 8am, 10am
  • Oboe: 8am
  • Clarinet: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
  • Alto Saxophone: 9am, 10am, 11am
  • Trumpet: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
  • French Horn: 8am
  • Trombone: 8am, 10am, 11am
  • Baritone: 9am, 11am
  • Percussion: 8am, 9am, 10am
  • Violin: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
  • Viola: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
  • Cello: 9am, 10am, 11am
  • String Bass: 8am

STEP 5: Select Band or Orchestra as your 6th grade music choice

When scheduling your 6th grade classes, select Band or Orchestra for your 6th grade music choice.

Miscellaneous Information

  • You will receive a postal letter for your beginning band or orchestra student in May.
    In late-May, a postal letter will be mailed to your home verifying your instrument selection, your Beginner
    Summer Class time, and teacher. This letter will also include carpooling information. If you have not received
    this postal mailing by June 12th, please contact Mr. Zac Coudret at zcoudret@phm.k12.in.us
  • Band and Orchestra Classes at Discovery, Grissom and Schmucker Middle Schools
    The P-H-M middle school music choices of Band, Orchestra, and Choir meet as curricular classes within the regular
    school day. More than two-thirds of all P-H-M middle school students participate in one of these three courses.

    • The band and orchestra schedules do not conflict with other after school or before school activities.
    • Participation in instrumental music does not limit a student’s involvement in school sports,
      extra-curricular activities or academics.
  • Band and Orchestra Directors at each P-H-M Middle School:
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Last Modified February 3, 2026