5th Grade Registration Orchestra

Hilliard Beginning Orchestra Program!

Does your child want to be in the Orchestra next year at school?
If so, you’re in the right place to learn more about joining the Orchestra!

Video replays will be posted here after the meetings.
Make sure you sign up for a fitting appointment – we can give you all handouts you missed there!

At the Parent Meeting you will learn about the Hilliard Orchestra program, the Sixth Grade Orchestra schedule, and how to go about renting a quality instrument. You will also have the chance to sign up for an Orchestra Fitting time if you have not already done so. Fitting appointments are REQUIRED. You you will learn about BAND and ORCHESTRA at both STATION and THARP during this meeting, so if your child hasn’t decided between instruments yet, this is a great way to get more information.

THARP PARENT MEETING (Band, Choir, and Orchestra)

STATION PARENT MEETING  (Band and Orchestra)

APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL FITTINGS. YOU MAY NOT WALK IN WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT.

Make sure you schedule your appointment at your child’s 6th grade school.
If you are scheduling both a band and orchestra fitting on the same night,
schedule the orchestra fitting first as band fittings tend to take longer.

THARP BOUND

  • DATES: February 4/5, 2026
  • LOCATION: Tharp Sixth Grade Building
  • TIME: 4-8PM
  • Fittings are 10 minutes each (could take slightly longer depending on how many instruments you try)

Tharp fittings have ended. If you didn’t make it in for a fitting, you will need to contact a local rental shop for one.

STATION BOUND

  • DATES: February 4/5/9, 2026
  • LOCATION: Station Sixth Grade Building (enter door A21)
  • TIME: 4-8PM
  • Fittings are 15 minutes each (could take slightly longer depending on how many instruments you try)

Schedule your STATION FITTING 

If your child has already decided what instrument to play, we  will use the Fitting Session to “fit” your child with an appropriately sized instrument. Every instrument is made in a variety of sizes, so whatever instrument your child chooses, we can find one to fit him or her! We will be following approved district guidelines for sanitizing and space.

If your child is still undecided as to what instrument to play, the Fitting Session is a great opportunity to try out each instrument and make a decision. Your child’s Orchestra teacher will be there to help you with any questions you have, and to talk more in depth with you about the process of renting an instrument. As soon as you are ready, you will be able to call in or order an instrument online to be delivered to your child’s school in the fall.

You may sign up for both band and orchestra fittings. Please check the schedule as there are not always orchestra fittings on the same night as band fittings. If you schedule both in one evening, schedule your Orchestra fitting FIRST as those take less time.

Registration

Students will need to know which instrument they have chosen when registering for Orchestra!
Counselors will be visiting elementary schools on February 9th, 10th, and 11th to help schedule.
Make sure you have made your choice before February 9th!

Renting an Instrument

Order your instrument from one of our approved instrument providers any time after your fitting, and the instrument will be delivered to your student’s 6th grade building in August. You can pick it up at PAW Days before school begins!
You will need to tell the shop what size instrument you need – so make sure you save your paper!

Approved Bowed String Instrument Providers

These are the only local shops that meet the minimum requirements of the Hilliard City Schools Orchestra program.

The Loft Violin Shop: Repairs are covered under the rental plan.

Rettig Music: Repairs are covered if you purchase their affordable repair plan, which is highly recommended.

Yes. The Zoom Meeting recording will be posted on the home page. We encourage you to watch that video at your convenience. Remember to sign up for a fitting (see the “fitting’ link to the left), and contact Caitlin Bartholic (Tharp) or Emily Thomas (Station) if you have any questions

We encourage you to attend the meeting or watch the post zoom recording as there are some small changes each year. If you have any questions, please contact Caitlin Bartholic(Tharp) or Emily Thomas (Station).

If you are unable to attend, just make sure you watch the video which will be posted 48 hours later.

We strongly encourage all parents to attend the meeting if possible to get all of the information about the Hilliard Orchestra Program. We also encourage you to sign up for a “fitting”. You can use this time to make sure that your instrument is in good working condition and will be a good “fit” for your child.

If my child does not take band in sixth grade, can he/she join band in seventh grade?

The beginning instrumental program is only offered in sixth grade. If a student wants to join in seventh grade or later during the sixth grade year, he/she will be required to take private lessons to catch up on the missed materials before joining the group.

Learning an instrument takes a lot of time and commitment. You will only be able to choose ONE instrument. Band and Orchestra are both full year electives. You are welcome to schedule fittings for both band & orchestra to help make your decision! SOME students are able to fit both Band and Choir, or Orchestra and Choir in their schedule, depending on their needs.

We have a handful of students each year who have been taking private lessons on their instrument prior to joining the 6th grade orchestra. During the registration process you will be able to let us know if this is the case, and we will be in contact near the start of the school year to let you know how we plan to accommodate these students. We strive to appropriately challenge every student!

Please us if you have any specific concerns. We do our best to accommodate all students, regardless of disability or need. Any student who is interested should definitely consider joining! We can plan to spend some extra time at your fitting appointment to see which option may be best.

When you attend the Parent Meeting and Fitting Sessions we will give you information on how to rent an instrument. We do not recommend buying an instrument. Our local rental programs make it easy to “rent to own” an instrument. Please attend the Parent Meeting and Fitting Session for more information! If you are unable to afford an instrument at this time, please contact us to see what options may be available to you. We will do our best to make sure every student who has a desire to play an instrument has the opportunity to do so.

The instruments – orchestra includes violin, viola, cello, and bass. Band and orchestra classes are structured very similarly and about the same number of concerts, etc. The biggest difference is that in high school there is a marching band, but no marching orchestra

We have a supply of school owned cellos and basses that are kept at the school for student use. Your home rental instrument can remain at home except for our concert nights. You will be able to fill out this paperwork at school orientation in the fall.

Yes! We would love for you to bring the instrument you have so we can check it out and make sure it is the correct size for your students and is in working order. This is also a great opportunity to meet the teachers and see the classroom!

  • What monthly rental options do you offer?
  • What accessories come with the monthly rental (i.e. book, music stand, reeds, valve oil, cleaning cloth/supplies)?
  • How many months do I rent until it is paid off?
  • Can I pay it off early, and if so, is there a discount?
  • What is included in the maintenance plan while I am renting?
  • How long does it take for most repairs? Do you provide a loaner instrument while it is being repaired?
  • If I decide to switch instruments or trade in for an upgrade, what percentage of my payments will go toward the new instrument?