Honors Band Credit

The information/ policies on this page will go into for the fall semester of 2023. 

Students in the West Stokes band are able to receive honors credit (an extra boost on their GPA) by completing extra work outside of the regular class period for their band class. Students must perform in the list of required performances shown below AND accumulate 40 honors points in a semester. 

Below is a list of required performances for honors students: 

• Veteran's Day performance (in November) 

• All County Band (in November) 

• Yadkin Valley Honor Band Auditions (usually in December)

• MPA (usually in March, pending our participation) 

• Memorial Day performance (in May) 

Students only have to complete the honors performances for the semester they are CURRENTLY registered for (students who registered for honors in the fall don't have to worry about the honors requirements in the spring unless they register for honors in that spring). 

Students must complete extra activities for a total 50 honors points, 25 for each quarter in a semester (25 points in Q1, 25 points in Q2, etc.) Below is a list of activities that can earn students honors points. 

• Prepare a piece of solo classical music for your instrument and perform it for Mr. Nichols for 5 points (earn 5 more by performing it in front of the class)

• Prepare a piece of chamber classical music for and perform it for Mr. Nichols for 10 points (earn 5 more by performing it in front of the class) 

• Take private lessons (5 points), a signed note or other proof of the lesson is required to earn these points. For information about private lesson instructors for your instrument, please email Mr. Nichols. 

• Compose an original piece of music either for your instrument or for another instrument. (10 points)

  • Compositions must be 2 minutes in length and contain the majority of original material. 

  • For an additional 10 points, students can prepare a 10-minute slide presentation that includes an audio recording/ rendering of the composition and a walkthrough of their creative process.

• Attend a live musical performance and write a 500 word review on the music. (5 points per performance, limit of 3 per semester) 

  • This review must be qualitative, which means it must explore different aspects of the music such as its emotional qualities, the technical abilities of the performers, the style of the music, historical background on the composers, etc. 

• Research and prepare a 800-word composer biography. (10 points, limit of 3 per semester) 

  • The bibliography should include information about when the composer was alive, the genre of music they composed, a list of famous/ popular works, and should explore one of their most popular pieces. This should be in MLA essay format (write in PARAGRAPHS)

• Perform the national anthem at a West Stokes sporting event (ex: before a soccer or lacrosse game). (5 points)   

• Audition for All-District band (5 points) 

• Audition for All-State band (5 points) 

• Perform at the Solo and Ensemble Music Performance Adjudication in April (5 points per performance) 

• Perform at the National Honors Society Induction Ceremony, usually in May (5 points) 

• Perform at the annual WSHS powderpuff football game, usually in April/ May (5 points) 

• Perform at the Dewey's store in December (5 points) 

• Prepare a 5 minute presentation on any topic in music, pre-approved by Mr. Nichols (10 points) 

• Perform at a religious gathering, provide a bulletin/ written notice from religious leader as proof (5 points) 

• Create 3 concert posters for the next WSHS band concert, must pass quality assessment from Mr. Nichols (5 points) 

• Participate in extra band activities outside of class such as community band, Wachovia Winds (5 points for every 4 rehearsals you attend) 

• Participate in extra honor bands like UNC Pembroke honor band, Carolina Band Festival, UNC Pembroke Jazz Day, Western Carolina Band Day, Yadkin Valley Honor Band, All-District Band, All-State Band, etc. 

• Participate in a college "Music Student For a Day" or "Music Student Open House", provide proof that you attended the event (10 points) 

• Interview a college music professor by email or go meet them in person. Interview should include questions about who the professor is, what they do, why they do that, and then at least 5 more questions that the student thinks of. 

• Teach Mr. Nichols how to play your instrument better than he currently can (10 points for a 30 minute lesson) 

• Perform on the extra opportunities Mr. Nichols shares in class (5 points) 

• Other projects you think might be worth some honors points, pre-approved by Mr. Nichols (5-10 points) 

Students should maintain their own records of their honors work and submit an honors log (Google Form found on Google Classroom) before the end of the grading period as defined by Mr. Nichols' due dates (outlined on GC or in the Syllabus) 

Students who register for honors credit but fail to complete all requirements (all required performances + all 50 points in the semester) will receive a grade reduction by 2 full letter grades at the end of the semester. 

• Students who maintain an 'A' average but fail to complete their honors work will receive a 'C' at the end of the semester

• Students who maintain a 'B' average but fail to complete their honors work will receive a 'D' at the end of the semester 

• Students who maintain a 'C' average but fail to complete their honors work will fail the course.