Honors Program

About the Honors Program

The Honors Program at Levine is a comprehensive, performance-based program designed for advanced music students who are passionate about music performance and the role of the musician in society. Through solo performances, chamber music, and large ensemble activities designed to enhance students’ musicianship, technique, creativity, and entrepreneurship, students develop the skills to become well-rounded artists and ambassadors for music in their community. Program alumni have gone on to study at elite institutions including Juilliard, Peabody, New England Conservatory, Curtis Institute of Music, Harvard, and Princeton, and are members of numerous professional ensembles, from major symphony orchestras to touring string quartets to contemporary music ensembles.

Scholarship Support

Students who are accepted into the Honors Program will receive a scholarship covering 75% of the tuition for 60-minute weekly private lessons. All musicianship classes, small ensembles, and events will be covered at 100%. Honors students are still eligible to apply for Tuition Assistance if additional funding is needed to cover the cost of private instruction.

Commitment

The Honors Program at Levine is designed to support and train dedicated musicians of all disciplines, and requires a concerted commitment to the program. All students enrolled are expected to prioritize Honors events, the majority of which will be announced at the start of the fall and spring semesters. The group activities detailed below are expected to take place most Saturday afternoons between 1-5 PM, and students must be available during this time from September through May in order to participate in the program.

Music Study

Each Honors student must be enrolled in private lessons, small ensembles, and theory/musicianship classes for the entire year:

• Individual Private Lessons: In the upcoming school year, accepted Honors students must enroll in at least 60-minute weekly lessons.
• Small Ensembles: Honors students are assigned to a small ensemble comprised of other Honors Program participants studying in a similar style. Small ensembles will include chamber groups for classical students and contemporary ensembles for jazz, rock, and musical theatre students. Students will rehearse weekly and must be available at the time agreed upon by the group and coach for the entirety of the season, preparing music for master classes and performances.
• Large Ensemble: Participation is required by all Honors students in a large ensemble experience through Levine’s course offerings. Students will be assigned to ensembles which will be featured in the spring showcase (including Levine Showcase Orchestra, piano large ensembles, and others). Required participation includes rehearsals which will be scheduled in January through June. The full schedule will be released in the fall.
• Musicianship Class: All students are required to enroll for one theory or musicianship class for the entire school year. Students will either be placed in one of Levine’s leveled theory classes or may enroll in a musicianship class designed to connect music theory with performance, repertoire, and composition.
• Demonstrated progress and commitment: Honors students must attend and demonstrate suitable progress in all lessons and classes. Teacher concerns will be brought to the attention of the Honors Program Directors and students may be placed on probation or potentially dismissed from the Honors Program if there are any concerns.

Performance

Honors students are expected to represent Levine in a variety of performances:

• Monthly Performance Classes/Master Classes: Attendance is required for each of the 6 monthly performance classes scheduled throughout the year, and students are expected to perform on at least two of the classes (either as a soloist or as part of a chamber ensemble). Students will also be expected to participate in master classes conducted by musicians outside of the Levine community, depending on their instrument, which will be announced at the start of each semester.
• Recitals/Competitions/Events: Each Honors student is required to perform in the fall and spring Honors recitals at Levine, as well as the Honors Chamber Recital. Participation in at least one Levine competition is required, either as a soloist or part of a chamber ensemble. All Honors students are required to perform in the Levine Showcase Concert in some capacity.
• Recording Session: All Honors students will receive Juniors and Seniors in the Honors Program will have access to a professional video or audio recording session in Levine’s Cafritz Recording Studio. Depending on staff and technology availability, other performances at the NW and Silver Spring locations may also be recorded and/or live-streamed.
• Performance Week: Honors students are required to participate in all department juries/critiqued recitals and are expected to maintain a minimum grade of “merit” or above. Certificate juries, where offered, are optimal, but not required.

Community

Honors students are encouraged to engage with the Levine and DMV community. Students will have the opportunity to communicate ideas and undertake community projects to enhance their community with their fellow cohort. Some options include:

• Visiting Instrument Day: “Visiting Instrument Day” is held throughout the year in Levine’s First Music department. Honors students introduce their instrument to a classroom of young children.
• Community Service Projects: Opportunities will be provided for students to work together to provide positive change within our community.
• Community Performance: Honors students are encouraged to share their talent through performance at local retirement homes, nursing homes, and schools.

Additional Group Events

Attendance is required for the following events, which give students a chance to get to know their fellow Honors colleagues:

• Season Opener: an informal gathering providing students an opportunity to meet their fellow Honors cohort. The day will also include a chamber ensemble reading session.
• Other Group Events: Each Honors student will have access to a series of scheduled Honors Program group events. These may include performances and workshops at Levine, or concerts and field trips in the DC metro area. All events are organized for the Honors students to attend together.

Applicant Requirements

The Honors Program welcomes applications from current Levine students ages 12-18 (as of September 1, 2025). Applicants are responsible for adhering to and submitting all required materials below.

Lesson Requirement: Honors Program students must be enrolled in weekly 60-minute private lessons with a teacher at Levine.

Yearly Audition: Students must audition each year for the Honors and Rising Stars Programs. Participation in the program for one year does not guarantee a place for the upcoming year. Students will not be admitted into the program without an audition and completed application. View video audition requirements and guidelines.

Application Form: All potential Honors and Rising Stars students must submit a completed online application. Please note that a completed application includes the student essay and screening video (NEW students only). The 2025-26 application is due on April 9, 2025.

Teacher Recommendation: All applicants’ private instructors will be required to complete an online Teacher Recommendation Form (a separate form).

Performance Week: Applicants must participate in a Spring Performance Week activity (i.e. jury or certificate recital). Certificate juries are strongly recommended, if available, but not required. Department Chairs will verify applicant participation. If your department is not holding juries this Spring, please provide a copy of the faculty/judges comment forms from your most recent performance (i.e. Levine competition, solo festival, state band/orchestra audition, Levine fall jury).

Age Requirement: By September 1, 2025, Honors students must be at least 12 years old.

CONTACT

For more information about the Honors Program, please contact Senior Director of Music Education Logan Massey at lmassey@levinemusic.org.