The goal of honors credit for ensembles is to improve student musicianship. Students are not required to sign-up for honor credit. If you choose to take honor credit you may not change levels through the year. You are committing to the honor program for the entire year. Placement in the honors program requires approval by both the director and the guidance counselor.
In order to receive honors credit, the student must fulfill all of the requirements for the ensemble, plus additional activities. A combination of required and optional activities totaling 100 points each quarter make up the Honors credit. The activities are weighted based on their time commitment and direct musical impact.
Leadership 25 pts (required) Private Lessons 25 pts (required) District Auditions 10 pts (required Qtr. 2) All-State Auditions 10 pts (required if accepted) All-State Festival 20 pts (required if accepted)
Outside Ens. Membership 10 pts (max. 1 per Qtr.) Outside Ens. Performance 5 pts (max. 2 per Qtr.) Solo Performance 5 pts (max. 2 per Qtr.) Concert Critique 5 pts (max. 2 per Qtr.) Clinic Attendance 10 pts Organize Small Ensemble 20 pts Tutor 20 pts Research Paper 10 pts Musical Pit Orchestra 30 pts Special Assignment Points based on time required
Honors Project Choices and Descriptions
Leadership – required (25 pts) An Honors music student is required to first and foremost live up to all of the basic classroom and rehearsal expectations and set an example for the younger and/or less experienced musicians in the ensemble. These expectations include but are not limited to practice and knowledge of music, rehearsal and performance attendance, and appropriate rehearsal behavior (not talking in class, paying attention, being ready when asked to play or sing, having a pencil, etc.).
Private Lessons – required (25 pts) Undertake private study with a degreed/qualified private teacher or recognized artist on a regular basis (weekly or bi-weekly)
District/All-State Auditions and Festival Participation (required) Auditions (10 pts) Festivals (20 pts) Prepare audition music and participate in the audition. If accepted, festival participation is required. If accepted to audition for All-State, full participation in the audition and festival is required as well.
Outside Ensemble Membership (10 pts/Max. 1 per qtr) Performance (5 pts/Max. 2 per qtr) Non-educational ensemble (5 pts) This project requires regular attendance and performance with an ensemble outside of the school day. An educational based ensemble is one taught by a licensed music teacher (or professional equivalent). Examples would be the New Bedford Youth Symphony or local University-sponsored youth ensemble. Examples of a non-educational ensemble would be a church or community choir. Qualifying groups must include average of one hour per week rehearsal time. You must keep and submit a record of rehearsal and performance dates/times one week before the end of each quarter.
Concert Attendance and Critique (5 pts/Max. 2 per qtr) Attend an approved concert and prepare a typed summary and critique. The summary should include the following: Who was the ensemble (name, professional or amateur, etc.) Genre of music performed and instrumentation and voicing Location and date of performance Pieces performed Critique the performance
How was the quality of the performance, given the level of the performers?
Was it stylistically correct?
Your overall impression of the performance
Solo Performance (5 pts) Any solo performance for an audience is acceptable. Some examples are performing the National Anthem at a school event, featured solo with outside ensemble, or solo at church or community event.
Clinic/Masterclass Attendance (10 pts) Attend an approved clinic or masterclass with a professional on your instrument. Provide documentation of attendance by one week before the end of the quarter.
Organize Small Ensemble (20 pts) Organize and regularly rehearse a small ensemble. Examples are woodwind quartet, a cappella group, jazz combo, etc. Group must rehearse meet at least once every two weeks, for a minimum of 5 rehearsals per quarter. You must submit a written log including dates/times met and songs worked on by one week before the end of the quarter.
Tutoring/Mentoring (20 pts) Lessons will be given to a student whose skill level would benefit from this form of peer instruction. Lessons should meet at least once every two weeks, for a minimum of 5 lessons per quarter. You must submit a written log including dates/times met, and a brief description of what musical skills were worked on, one week before the end of the quarter.
Research Paper (10 pts) 3-4 page typed, double-spaced research paper on an approved topic in music related to your instrument. More specific instructions are available. Paper is due at least one week before the end of the quarter.
Musical Pit Orchestra (30 pts) Attend all rehearsals and performances of the Pit orchestra for the Spring Musical. There will be weekly evening rehearsals throughout the Spring, plus every night the week before the show opens, beginning on the Sunday before. Students in the Pit orchestra will be considered part of the Drama Club, and will be required to follow all Drama Club rules and expectations.
Special Assignment (pts based on time required) Other assignments may be acceptable based on approval by the director. Point values will be assigned based on the amount of time required and connection to the individual student’s honors program.