General Music Curriculum

General Music Curriculum

The following standard targets will be addressed during the trimester.  Some of these targets will also be used as part of each student's music grade.  Individual assignments will include target grades where appropriate.  For more information on assignments, please visit our Google Classroom (code 4j7ig) or view the assignments in PowerSchool.

IMPROVISATION

Is skilled at improvising or composing rhythmic and/or melodic variations and embellishments.

Is skilled at improvising, composing or arranging short songs and/or instrumental pieces using a variety of sound sources such as traditional, nontraditional, body and electronic.

PERFORMING INSTRUMENTS

Is skilled at performing music using a variety of instruments, using graphic and/or non-traditional representation.

Is skilled at performing a variety of pieces on an instrument, using standard notation (for example: quarter notes, eighth notes and quarter rests).

PERFORMING VOCAL

Is skilled at singing developmentally appropriate repertoire including a variety of meters, tonalities and languages.

Is skilled at singing developmentally appropriate repertoire using harmonic forms such as ostinato, partner songs, round and descant within an ensemble.

DYNAMICS/TEMPO

Understands the different levels of dynamics in music.

Understands different tempi. Understands gradual tempo change.

Understands the relationship of dynamics within a musical phrase.

Understands the relationship of dynamics within a larger scope of the musical composition.

PITCH SENSE

Understands the difference between high, medium, and low pitched sounds.

Understands a series of pitches create a melodic contour.

NOTE DURATION / RHYTHM / TIME SIGNATURES

Understands sounds and silences of varying time durations.

Understands rhythms using quarter notes, eighth notes and quarter rests.

Understands time signatures serve as a guideline for organizing beat patterns.

Understands rhythm combinations of quarter note, eighth note, whole notes, half notes, and their rests with standard notation in common simple time signatures (2/4, 3/4, 4/4 time).

Understands dotted quarter and half notes and rests as well as sixteenth notes with standard notation in common simple time signatures (2/4, 3/4, 4/4).

Understands rhythmic combinations of notes and rests with standard notation in compound time signatures (3/8, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8).

QUALITY OF SOUND (TIMBRE)

Understands a variety of instruments can be used to represent the words of a simple song, sound story or dramatization.

Understands timbre is a way to identify the difference and quality of sounds or voices.

Understands the difference between varied timbres, including voice, traditional and non-traditional instruments both isolated and within excerpts of music.

IMPACT OF THE ARTS (CULTURE, INFLUENCE)

Understands that artists have a meaning and purpose when creating art/music. Understands that art/music has meaning to an audience.

Understands that interpretations of art/music vary from person to person.

Understands how features of art/music can influence ideas, emotions and actions of people.

Understands that culture and environment can impact a person’s aesthetic choices (as creator or perceiver).

PERSONAL PREFERENCES DESCRIBED

Is skilled at expressing preferences about art/music.

DIFFERENCES BY CULTURE AND TIME PERIOD

Understands that art varies in different time periods and in different cultures.

Understands art, music, dance and theater have different characteristics at different times in history.

Understands that dance, music, theater, and/or visual art and their creators have influenced culture over time.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Understands that there are careers in art.

Understands the impact of the arts in daily life experiences.

Understands the benefits of participation in the arts on lifestyle.