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Instrument Fitting 

The Instrument Fitting is a time for your child to see and play all the different instruments that are available under the direction of trained personnel. By working with your student at the Instrument Fitting, we are better able to determine what instrument your child would enjoy playing based on their aptitudes, abilities, and desire.

Students must be 9 years old by September 1 to start a beginning band or orchestra class with WMHFA. We are not able to make exceptions to this because:
  • all other schools start at age 10 or 11, so we are already starting earlier than usual.
  • our classes are 90 minutes long and younger students have difficulty maintaining focus.
  • our beginning classes keep a steady pace, and students typically progress quickly.
  • smaller fingers sometimes have difficulty with fingerings.
  • we want your child to have the greatest chance of success!

2023 Instrument Fitting Dates

Grand Rapids
  • May 15 - 9am to 12pm
  • June 29 - 9am to 12pm
  • July 17 - 9am to 12pm
  • ​August 14 - 9am to 12pm
  • ​August 28 - 9am​​
Location:
Corinth Reformed Church
129 100th St SE
​Byron Center, MI
 Kalamazoo
  • May 16 - 10am to 12pm​
  • June 29 - 3pm to 5pm
  • July 18 - 10am to 12pm
  • August 14 - 3pm to 5pm
Location:
LAMP Homeschool Center
300 E Cass St.
Schoolcraft, MI 49087



Ready to Register? Watch these videos first!

Before you register, if you think you want to play a BAND instrument please watch this video introducing the standard woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCTeSjpDsIs

AND/OR if you want to play a STRING instrument, watch the Beginner Orchestra Instruments video to learn about the string instruments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azwRCDORHWA
Once you have a good idea which 3 instruments you are most interested in, register for the location and date that works best for you (you will not be limited to these at the fitting.)
Register for a Grand Rapids Instrument Fitting
Register for a Kalamazoo Instrument Fitting
Students interested in Beginning Band percussion (drums):
·    No previous percussion (drum) lessons are required
·    Students must have at least 2 years experience on piano/keyboard/mallet percussion within the past 3 years. A keyboard/mallet audition is required.
Prepare a piece of your choice. Bring your music and current book to the audition.
·    Auditions are by appointment only.
·    All students must pass a rhythm evaluation with the beginning band instructor
·    All students must take a rhythm aptitude test at https://forms.gle/zfKsnmi7WtU5hxwEA​
·    The instructor will select a maximum of 7 students for the percussion section of the Beginning Band after the last Instrument Fitting. Students will be chosen based on the individual cumulative scores of the evaluations listed above.
Students interested in Beginning Band Percussion (drums): click on the button below to schedule an audition. Be sure to register for both the instrument fitting and the percussion audition.
Schedule a Grand Rapids Percussion Audition
Schedule a Kalamazoo Percussion Audition
West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts | (616) 868-0236 | office@wmhfa.org