Music
/
Honors Certificate Program

A concentrated musical education for the dedicated student.

The Hochstein Honors Certificate Program is a rigorous, multi-year program for talented, motivated students seeking a concentrated musical education — combining individual lessons, advanced curriculum, music theory and history coursework, annual juries, and a senior recital.

Honors Certificate Program

Prepare for the Finest Music Conservatories

Hochstein is one of only 13 Community Schools of the Arts nationwide accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. The Honors Certificate Program prepares serious students for continued study at the country’s finest conservatories. Students accepted into the program continue to pay individual lesson fees, while music theory and history coursework is provided tuition-free. Hochstein greatly appreciates the significant ongoing support of the Donald F. and Maxine B. Davison Foundation.

Contact Us

Eligibility and Auditions

Entry into the Honors Certificate Program is by teacher recommendation. Auditions are held twice annually, usually in February and May. For specific requirements by discipline, contact Joanna Bassett, Associate Dean, at joanna.bassett@hochstein.org.

Program Requirements

The following outlines the core requirements of the Honors Certificate Program. Expand each section for full details.

  • Recommendation of individual lesson teacher.
  • At the commencement of the program, instrumental applicants must be in at least 8th grade. Vocal applicants must be in at least 9th grade.
  • Performance ability of at least intermediate/advanced level. The applicant will be judged on all aspects of musicianship: tone quality, phrasing, expression, rhythm, technical accuracy, and flexibility, etc. Students auditioning in composition will also be presenting scores.
  • Ability to complete the program in 2-4 years or by completion of high school. Students entering in their junior year will be required to play a minimum of 3 juries before being approved for performance of the Public Recital in the senior year (or end of program for adults).

  • Instrumental
    The audition will be a maximum of 15 minutes. Three contrasting compositions/movements representing 3 different composers from different musical periods; representative scales, arpeggios, and abstract technique.
  • Vocal
    The audition will be a maximum of 10 minutes. Piano accompaniment is required. Three pieces of differing styles and language. Memorization required; sightreading comparable to NYSSMA Levels 1-3.
  • Composition
    The audition will be a maximum of 20 minutes. Two contrasting selections of vocal or instrumental music of at least a NYSSMA level 4 to be performed by the applicant. Piano accompaniment is required. Selections do not need to be memorized. One composition in the style of an established composer for any instrumentation/vocal setting; one composition in any style for any instrumentation/vocal setting.

  • Annual jury: 20-minute performance in the spring of each year that the student is in the program.
  • Piano accompaniment is required.
  • At the time of the jury, each student must submit a complete list of works studied that year.

Track #1

All Coursework at Hochstein or Eastman Community Music School (ECMS)

  • Basic Music Theory or the equivalent. Classes are offered at Hochstein or Eastman School. Note: Applicants who have previous theory study can pass out of Basic Music Theory by successfully completing the Theory Placement Exam.
  • AP Theory I: Form and Harmony. Classes are offered at Hochstein and Eastman School. Students are encouraged, but not required, to supplement their theory studies with a Solfege and Aural Skills course.
  • Survey of Music History — Hochstein course only (ECMS and high school history courses do not fulfill requirements).
Track #2

One Theory Course at Student’s High School; remaining requirements at Hochstein or ECMS

  • One music theory course (Basic Music Theory or AP Theory or equivalent) at student’s high school (curriculum must be approved in advance).
  • One music theory course (Basic Music Theory or AP Theory I) at Hochstein or ECMS.
  • Survey of Music History — Hochstein course only (ECMS and high school history courses do not fulfill requirements).
Track #3

All Theory Requirements through High School; remaining requirements at Hochstein

  • Basic Music Theory or equivalent at student’s high school (curriculum must be approved in advance).
  • AP Theory I or the equivalent at student’s high school (curriculum must be approved in advance).
  • Survey of Music History — Hochstein course only (ECMS and high school history courses do not fulfill requirements).
  • One elective area from the following categories:
    1. Independent Study — in coordination with your individual lesson teacher at Hochstein. Requires a write-up of a proposal, outline of what topic(s) are to be covered, and final paper/possible public presentation.
    2. Two short-course electives from Music Lab (e.g. Composer’s Club, Music Business, Finale/Sibelius, other courses as offered) OR one full-course elective from Music Lab (e.g. Piano 101, 15-week class).
    3. Pre-Professional Internship — in coordination with one of Hochstein’s departments — Music Therapy, FUNdamentals, or Music Lab. Students attend weekly, 1-hour class and work with a mentor-teacher in the area of study. Student actively engages in helping teach the class and write a reflective paper to document the insights learned; public presentation is also possible. Specifics of each internship curriculum to be discussed/developed with Department Chairs. Special internships with experts outside of Hochstein (e.g. musical instrument repair, piano tuning, etc.) will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    4. Chamber Music at Hochstein (at least three 9-week quarters of participation).

  • Students are required to have at least one year of participation in a musical ensemble, preferably at Hochstein.
  • Those students not able to fulfill the requirement through Hochstein must provide documentation to the Assistant Director and Dean that appropriate ensemble participation has been fulfilled through another organization (RPYO, ECMS, high school). NOTE: Ensemble requirements can be fulfilled by participation on a secondary instrument or interest area (i.e. instrumentalists can be in a chorus or pianists could be in orchestra or chorus).

  • Minimum 30 minutes (15 minutes for voice students). Performance given usually in the spring. This performance may not precede the final jury.
  • The final jury must be scheduled for the February jury date of the student’s senior year.
  • The Public Recital program must be submitted to the Associate Dean 6 weeks prior to the Public Recital.
  • Student must write program notes for the Public Recital program. The Music History Survey teacher is available to advise and assist with this endeavor.
Program Details
Eligibility

Grade 8+ (instrumental) · Grade 9+ (vocal) · Intermediate to advanced level · Teacher recommendation required

Auditions

Held twice yearly, usually February and May.

Duration

2–4 years, or by completion of high school.

Eligible Disciplines

Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Composition, Flute, French Horn, Guitar, Harp, Oboe, Piano, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Viola, Violin, Voice

Contact

Joanna Bassett, Associate Dean
joanna.bassett@hochstein.org