Honors Orchestra  

Division:  Upper School

Department: Fine and Performing Arts:  Instrumental Music 

Course Title/Code:  Honors Orchestra      Art  350 

Course Description:  The CA Honors Orchestra is an advanced class for music instrument players (grade 9-12). The repertoires for this class are selected from a wide range of music periods and styles. Members of the honors orchestra are often assigned independent study or have private instruction. Members also are strongly encouraged to try out for regional and all state orchestra festival. The class meets three days a week and includes one playing or theory (include listening) test per trimester. There are two main performances during the year and one competition trip outside campus. The honors orchestra is our most advanced ensemble group and because of ensemble balance requirements;  placement after audition should be considered a commitment. 

Goals

Students in Honors Orchestra will learn the orchestra masterpieces from world famous composers throughout music history. The students will play the music at the level 4 to 6 (or original) in the full orchestra setting.  

Skills  

• Develop students’ listening skills during the class including major minor scales, intervals, harmony progressing, and pitch recognizing. 
• Reinforce the playing skills using the orchestra parts to challenge students and give the individual instructions for the music phrase, dynamics, tempo and counting on different rhythms.
• Using the scales to improve the students’ awareness and playing abilities of the tone quality and pitch adjustment
• Expand on student knowledge of playing the music in chamber group and build the relationship between their individual parts, sections and whole orchestra in a widely variety music and their styles.
• Learn the communication with the conductor or group leader during the rehearsals and performance.
• Develop students’ sight-reading skills at the beginning of each new song and some arranged music.

Activities 

• Two evening concerts will play in campus (required).
• One outside campus music festival or competition during the year (not required).

Assessment 

• Graded playing test including the site-reading once a trimester.
• One theory (writing or listening) test per trimester.

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