Honors Credit

Gaston County Schools

Instrumental Music Honor Credit Guidelines

Fall 2018

Students who wish to take courses in instrumental music at the “Proficient” and “Advanced” levels and receive honors credit must meet the requirements listed below. These requirements will be graded according the GCS grading policy. The Director of Bands will assign additional assignments to derive the student’s final grades.

Proficient:

1. Students will attend and actively participate in mandatory rehearsals and performances as scheduled by the Director of Bands. (Homework and Quiz Grades)
2. Students will complete differentiated assignments as assigned by the Director of Bands. (Homework, Quiz, and Test Grades)
3. Students will demonstrate command of the North Carolina Bandmasters All-State Scale Requirements specific to their instrument and grade level. This includes major scales, arpeggios, and the full range chromatic scale. Percussionists will also be required to demonstrate command of rudiments. (Quiz Grades)
4. Students will choose one of the following audition settings: (Test Grades)
• Jury with Director of Bands
• Audition for Gaston Symphonic Band or other community ensemble (as approved by Director of Bands)
• All-County Band and/or All-District Band
• Solo and Ensemble Festival
• Alternative audition settings otherwise approved by the Director of Bands (*Auditions should include Scales, Sight Reading, and Prepared Music.)
1. Students will complete one of the following Honors Band Projects: (Test Grades)
• Research a topic concerning music (as approved by the Director of Bands)
• Compose a musical composition
• Create a presentation concerning technology and music
• Use music theory to analyze a musical composition
• Participate in North Carolina’s Music Performance Adjudication Festival
• Other project options as approved by the Director of Bands

Advanced:

1. Students will attend and actively participate in mandatory rehearsals and performances as scheduled by the Director of Bands. (Homework and Quiz Grades)
2. Student will complete differentiated assignments as assigned by the Director of Bands. (Homework, Quiz, and Test Grades)
3. Students will demonstrate command of All Major Key Signatures including scales, arpeggios, and the full range chromatic scale. Percussionists will also be required to demonstrate command of rudiments. (Quiz Grades)
4. Students will prepare a solo of appropriate difficulty level and length as approved by the Director of Bands (Ex: the North Carolina All State Solo according to grade level) (Test Grades)
5. Students will choose one of the following audition settings: (Test Grades)
• Jury with Director of Bands
• Audition for Gaston Symphonic Band or other community ensemble (as approved by Director of Bands)
• All-County Band and or All-District Band
• Solo and Ensemble Festival
• Alternative audition settings otherwise approved by the Director of Bands (*Auditions should include Scales, Sight Reading, and Prepared Music.)
1. Students will complete one of the following Honors Band Projects: (Test Grades)
• Research a topic concerning music (as approved by the Director of Bands)
• Compose a musical composition
• Create a presentation concerning technology and music
• Use music theory to analyze a musical composition
• Participate in North Carolina’s Music Performance Adjudication Festival
• Other project options as approved by the Director of Bands