Honors-level music provides high-achieving high school musicians the opportunity to go beyond the regular (O-level) curriculum. Advanced Guitar may be taken for honors (H) credit. Students should discuss honors requirements with the music director before registering to ensure a full understanding of expectations.
Honors students receive instruction alongside O-level peers but must complete additional requirements outlined below. All honors work will be evaluated by the teacher and must meet the standards for honors-weighted credit. Goals and expectations increase for students continuing in the program in subsequent years. Project selections must be finalized in the annual honors music contract by September 1. Teachers keep original contracts on file at their schools.
Students must be enrolled in a Chesterfield County Public Schools music class and demonstrate performance well above average expectations. They must also be enrolled in the specific ensemble for which they seek weighted credit. An annual written contract with the music director will outline term-by-term requirements. Students who do not submit a signed contract by September 1 will be reassigned to O-level guitar class.
STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONORS CREDIT
Students who desire weighted credit should understand there are additional requirements which must be met. The honors student is responsible for completing and presenting assignments to the teacher according to established time frames. The honors student is responsible for completing each component and project at a standard appropriate for honors level.
Students must complete the standard requirements for each music class as listed on the syllabus, including: attendance at all rehearsals, performances, concerts, competitions, district assessment and other music-related activities determined by the director. Basically, honors students do everything non-honors (O level) students do, PLUS bullet points 2, 3, & 4 (below).
Student must audition for any all-county, all-regional, and all-state event for the class in which they are receiving weighted credit. Examples include: All-Chesterfield Guitar Ensemble, All-Chesterfield Orchestra, Junior Regional Orchestra (9th grade only), Senior Regional Orchestra (10th, 11th, & 12th grade), and All-Virginia Orchestra (eligibility based on SRO acceptance). All reasonable audition efforts will be accepted, even if the student is not accepted for the event. Students must participate in the events for which they have been selected. Students who observe Sabbath for religious reasons will work with the director to find appropriate alternatives to Saturday events.
Student must attend a minimum of one pre-approved music seminars, music workshops, symphony concerts, chamber music performances, or the like each 9-weeks. Student will submit a written report via Canvas stating the content of the seminar or a critique of the concert along with a program or ticket stub. Student may write report on performance of competing group at band competition or choral competition, or student may write a report on another school at district assessment. Local university music programs can be a good source for appropriate performances as well. Links to local performing ensembles and university music departments have been provided for your convenience, but you are not limited to those options.
Students will complete one music project per term. All honors students will complete a theory unit (term 1) and solo & ensemble unit (term 4) Students will choose the remaining two projects (terms 2 & 3). See SAMPLE HONORS PROJECTS for detailed project information.
TEACHER’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONORS STUDENTS
The teacher is responsible for creating a program for each honors student. The contract should be tailored to the needs and area of interest of each student, such as performance, conducting, composition, etc. The honors contract will ensure that the student’s level of instructional expectations is met. The teacher will meet with individual students for guided assistance in assignments and projects. Evaluation is to be logged for each student and documented by the music teacher each nine weeks.
Visit the Canvas course for more details.