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Home » Curriculum » Arts Education » Honors Music – Band, Chorus, Orchestra

Honors Music – Band, Chorus, Orchestra

Honors music programs give elementary and middle school students the opportunity to grow and challenge themselves musically. These are auditioned groups; auditions are held in the fall of each school year, with rehearsals and performances beginning in January.

Registration and Audition General Information

Students must be enrolled in Arlington Public Schools in order to audition and/or participate in Arlington Public School programs. No private or home-schooled students are allowed to participate.

Early online registration for the county-wide musical groups is highly encouraged, to allow organizers of the event ample time to prepare. Registering online will allow for shorter wait times at the auditions. If you are unable to register online, please ask your school music teacher to help your student register.

In addition to the online registration, you may download other supporting files including sheet music, practice audio tracks, and a virtual audition video. All music is for audition purposes, only. Please contact your student’s music teacher if you have difficulty accessing any of the audition materials.

Students are required to audition for the appropriate grade level the audition requires. A student may audition for more than one music group. If selected for more than one group, the student may have to choose one or the other.

All auditions will be “blind” auditions. The students will audition behind a screen, and the judges will only be able to hear the students. The judges will not know anything about the student, except for their assigned audition number. They will not know the name of the student, or their school.

2025-26 Schedules for Auditions, Rehearsals and Concerts

  • Auditions are open to Arlington Public School Students only. No private or home-schooled students are allowed to participate.
  • Please see the blue “accordion” sections below for audition music and registration materials for each Honors Music Group

Group

Audition, Rehearsal and Concert Dates:
Honors Band

(grades 6 – 8)
  • Auditions are on Thursday, November 6, 2025 – 4:30-7:30 PM, at Kenmore Middle School
  • All rehearsals and concerts are at Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, 6:00-8:30 PM,Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, 6:00-8:30 PM,Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, 6:00-9:00 PM,Wakefield HS
  • Dress Rehearsals, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
  • In the event of a snow day, dress rehearsals on Saturday, January 24, may be lengthened
  • Concert – Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, 4:00 PM, Wakefield HS
  • The snow makeup date for the concert is Monday, January 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM, Wakefield HS
Honors Orchestra

(grades 6 – 8)
  • Auditions are on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – 5:00-7:30 PM, at Kenmore Middle School. In addition, there will be extra violin-only slots between 4:00-5:00 PM
  • All rehearsals and concerts are at Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, 5:45-8:15 PM, Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, 5:45-8:15 PM, Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, 5:45-8:45 PM, Wakefield HS
  • Dress Rehearsals, Saturday, Jan. 24, 12:30 PM-2:00 PM, Wakefield HS
  • In the event of a snow day, dress rehearsals on Saturday, January 24, may be lengthened
  • Concert – Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, 4:00 PM, Wakefield HS
  • The snow makeup date for the concert is Monday, January 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM, Wakefield HS
Elementary Honors Chorus

(grade 5)
  • Auditions are available on
    • Tuesday, October 28, 2025,  4:30-7:00 PM
    • Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 4:00-8:00 PM
    • Thursday, October 30, 2025, 4:30-7:00 PM
    • all auditions are at Kenmore Middle School
  • Rehearsals are from 6:45–8:00 PM, Tuesdays, January 13-March 10, 2026 at Kenmore Middle School
  • The snow makeup rehearsal dates are Monday, February 2, and Monday, February 23, 2026, if needed
  • Dress Rehearsals are on Monday, March 2, and Monday, March 9,  2026
  • Performance, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 7:00 PM at Kenmore Middle School
  • The snow makeup date for the concert is Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 7:00 PM at Kenmore Middle School
Middle School Honors Chorus

(grades 6 – 8)
  • Auditions are on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 – 4:00-8:00 PM, at Kenmore Middle School
  • All rehearsals and concerts are at Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, 5:30-8:00 PM, Wakefield HS
  • Wakefield HS Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, 5:30-8:00 PM, Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, 5:30-8:30 PM, Wakefield HS
  • Dress Rehearsals, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, 2:00-3:30 PM
  • In the event of a snow day, dress rehearsals on Saturday, Jan. 24 may be lengthened
  • Concert – Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, 4:00 PM, Wakefield HS
  • The snow makeup date for the concert is Monday, January 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM, Wakefield HS

Below you will find the audition music and registration forms for each performing group. 

Honors Band (grades 6 - 8)

Randall Stewart directs the Honors Band, and Kristen Bartholomew is the manager.

Auditions

  • Auditions are on Thursday, November 6, 2025 – 4:30-7:30 PM, at Kenmore Middle School
  • Students may choose from five different audition times: 4:30–5:00, 5:00–5:30, 5:30–6:00, 6:00–6:30, 6:30–7:00, 7:00 – 7:30 PM
    • Check-in begins 15 minutes before each audition slot. Registration closes at 7:15 PM
  • Percussionists must audition on both snare and a mallet instrument
  • Students may leave when their audition is finished
  • Please email questions to Christopher Monroy

Rehearsals and Performance, all at Wakefield High School

  • Rehearsal, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, 6:00-8:30 PM,Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, 6:00-8:30 PM,Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, 6:00-9:00 PM,Wakefield HS
  • Dress Rehearsals, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
  • In the event of a snow day, dress rehearsals on Saturday, January 24, may be lengthened
  • Concert – Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, 4:00 PM, Wakefield HS
  • The snow makeup date for the concert is Monday, January 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM, Wakefield HS

Registration Materials for Honors Band (grades 6 – 8): 

Registration Materials for Honors Band in Spanish (grades 6 – 8): 

2025 – 2026 Audition Music for Honors Band (grades 6 – 8):

Scales will be requested in the key in which the instrument plays, not in concert key.

Honors Orchestra (grades 6 - 8)

Laura Cahn Wallace directs the Honors Orchestra, and Lexie Rowland is the manager.

Auditions: 

  • Auditions are on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – 5:00-7:30 PM, at Kenmore Middle School. In addition, there will be extra violin-only slots between 4:00-5:00 PM
  • All rehearsals and concerts are at Wakefield HS
  • Check-in begins 15 minutes before each audition slot. Registration closes at 7:15 PM
  • Students may leave when their audition is finished
  • Please email questions to Christopher Monroy

Rehearsals and Performance: 

  • Rehearsal, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, 5:45-8:15 PM, Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, 5:45-8:15 PM, Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, 5:45-8:45 PM, Wakefield HS
  • Dress Rehearsals, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, 12:30 PM-2:00 PM, Wakefield HS
  • In the event of a snow day, dress rehearsals on Saturday, January 24, may be lengthened
  • Concert – Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, 4:00 PM, Wakefield HS
  • The snow makeup date for the concert is Monday, January 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM, Wakefield HS

Registration Materials for Honors Orchestra (grades 6 – 8): 

Registration Materials for Honors Orchestra in Spanish (grades 6 – 8):

2025 – 2026 Audition Music: 

Notes from the director on the audition music:

  • All string instruments can rehearse the music together.
  • There is no sight reading; the judges will be listening for shifting, technique, and tone color.

Honors Orchestra Auditions Score Sheets

 

Elementary Honors Chorus (grade 5)

Marji Dwyer directs the Elementary Honors Chorus, Raifel Faison is the accompanist.

Auditions:  

  • Auditions are available on
    • Tuesday, October 28, 2025,  4:30-7:00 PM
    • Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 4:00-8:00 PM
    • Thursday, October 30, 2025, 4:30-7:00 PM
  • Auditions are held at Kenmore Middle School.
  • Parents should request a time slot through the online registration form linked below.
  • Please arrive during the selected time slot.
  • Students may leave when their audition is finished
  • All students will be notified of the results within two weeks
  • Please email questions to Christopher Monroy

Rehearsals and Performance:

  • Rehearsals are from 6:45–8:00 PM, Tuesdays, January 13-March 10, 2026 at Kenmore Middle School
  • The snow makeup rehearsal dates are Monday, February 2, and Monday, February 23, 2026, if needed
  • Dress Rehearsals are on Monday, March 2, and Monday, March 9,  2026
  • Performance, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 7:00 PM at Kenmore Middle School
  • The snow makeup date for the concert is Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 7:00 PM at Kenmore Middle School

2025 – 2026 Registration Materials and Music:  

Registration Materials for Honors Chorus in Spanish (grade 5): 

Audition Music and Materials for Honors Chorus (grade 5):

2025 -2026 Audition Music Files:

Middle School Honors Chorus (grades 6 - 8)

Christian Banach directs the Middle Schools Honors Chorus, The accompanist is Nadim Nader.

Middle School Honors Chorus (grades 6-8)

  • Please note that the Middle School Honors Chorus is open to ALL Arlington Public School Middle School students
  • Students are encouraged to participate in their school’s choral program, but it is not a prerequisite for participation in the Honors Chorus
  • Students may audition for more than one group, but may participate in only one group: Honors Band, Honors Orchestra, or Honors Chorus. Students will be notified and given the opportunity to choose.

Auditions:

  • Auditions are on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 – 4:00-8:00 PM, at Kenmore Middle School
  • Feel free to sign up your students, regardless of grade level, into any of the open slots.
  • There will be eight time slots available – 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30 PM.
  • Check in for all students begins 15 minutes before the assigned audition slot. Registration times will be selected on the online registration form.
  • Please email questions to Christopher Monroy

Rehearsals and Performance: All rehearsals as well as the concert, are at Wakefield HS

  • Rehearsal, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, 5:30-8:00 PM, Wakefield HS
  • Wakefield HS Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, 5:30-8:00 PM, Wakefield HS
  • Rehearsal, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, 5:30-8:30 PM, Wakefield HS
  • Dress Rehearsals, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, 2:00-3:30 PM
  • In the event of a snow day, dress rehearsals on Saturday, Jan. 24 may be lengthened
  • Concert – Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, 4:00 PM, Wakefield HS
  • The snow makeup date for the concert is Monday, January 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM, Wakefield HS

Registration Materials for Middle School Honors Chorus (grades 6 – 8): 

Registration Materials for Middle School Honors Chorus in Spanish (grades 6 – 8): 

Audition Music and Materials for Middle School Honors Chorus (grades 6 – 8):

If you have questions or would like some help with this, speak to the chorus teacher at your school, who will be happy to assist

  1. Vocally Perform How Can I Keep from Singing (mp3 files are housed on Google Drive) Download the part that you need:  How Can I Keep from Singing pdf file 
    1. Soprano
    2. Alto
    3. Tenor
    4. Bass
  2. Sing an Ascending and Descending Major Scale – the mp3 files below, are housed on Soundcloud
    1. Singers are encouraged to sing their scale on Solfege syllables
    2. Scale Keys
      1. Soprano – F Major
      2. Alto – D Major
      3. Tenor – G Major
      4. Bass – D Major

Performances

2024 Honors Concert – January 27, 2024

  • All information about future broadcasts will be listed on the AETV website
  • If you would like to order a professionally-recorded CD, please contact RonArt Associates:  703-362-5373 or [email protected]

Inclement Weather:

  • If APS cancels evening activities, Honors rehearsals will not take place. School closings are posted at the top of the APS website.

Questions? Please email Honors Music Program Coordinator:  Christopher Monroy