Hastings College is hosting a series of in-person Music Honors Days for high school students March 29 through April 2, with the focus changing daily between voice, brass, woodwinds, percussion and piano.
To participate, high school students can apply with a recorded audition from another honor festival this academic year, or a new one can be recorded with two contrasting pieces. Details and the application are at hastings.edu/musichonors.
“We wanted a way to offer an honors experience for students that would be more beneficial than a virtual experience,” said Dr. Louie Eckhardt, Hastings College assistant professor of music and director of bands. “This is an opportunity for students to come to the Hastings College campus and participate in lessons, masterclasses, learning experiences and other activities.”
The Music Honors Days are as follows:
- Monday, March 29, 2021: Voice Honors Day
- Tuesday, March 30, 2021: Brass Honors Day
- Wednesday, March 31, 2021: Woodwind Honors Day
- Thursday, April 1, 2021: Voice Honors Day
- Friday, April 2, 2021: Percussion and Piano Honors Day
Each day will begin mid-morning with a welcome and a sample class and lessons, followed by a provided lunch, tour, another class or lesson and a group masterclass. Students also have the option of playing or singing with a Hastings College ensemble. Each day wraps up between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m.
Due to COVID-19 measures, there is limited space for how many students can participate each day.
For the past 58 years, Hastings College has held the Annual Honor Band, Choir and Orchestra (HBOC). However, due to COVID-19, HBOC, like many other honor festivals, was cancelled, while a few attempted a virtual festival. The Music Honors Days provide students with the opportunity to other high school and college students involved in music, and to continue to grow their skills at an in-person event.
Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Hastings’ student-centered initiatives include providing books, an iPad and a two-week study away experience at no additional cost. A block-style semester schedule allows professors and students to focus on fewer classes at a time and promotes hands-on experiences. Discover more at hastings.edu.
