Music Memory

The Contest Summary

The focus of the Music Memory contest is an in-depth study of fine pieces of music literature taken from a wide spectrum of music genres to expose students to great composers, their lives and their music. In the course of preparing for the contest, students should be given the opportunity to describe and analyze the music, relate the music to history, to society and to culture, and to evaluate musical performance. 

The Contest Format

Students will listen to approximately 20 seconds of up to 20 musical selections and identify the name of the major work, selection and the name of the composer. 

To receive full credit for an answer, all information about the music selection must be complete as shown on the official list. Spelling and punctuation are considered in the grading of this contest. 

Scoring

• (A) In the 2nd-grade matching portion of the contest, award two points for the correct composer, or one point if the composer is correct but misspelled. In the 2nd-grade listening portion of the contest, award two points for correct recognition of selection title.

• (B) In the 3rd/4th-grade matching portion of the contest, award two points for recognition of the composer and two points for recognition of selection title. In the 3rd/4th-grade tie-breaking portion of the contest, award two points for the correct major work, if required, and two points for the correct selection. Award one point if the major work is correct but misspelled. Award one point if the selection title is correct but misspelled. Award no points for incorrect or unanswered items.

• (C) In the 5th/6th-grade contest, award two points for the correct major work, if required, and two points for the correct selection. Award one point if the major work is correct but misspelled. Award one point if the selection title is correct but misspelled. Award two points for the correct composer. Award one point if the composer’s name is correct but misspelled. In the 5th/6th-grade tie-breaking portion of the contest, the same scoring method shall be used. Award no points for incorrect or unanswered items.

• (D) In the 7th/8th multiple-choice part of the contest, award two points for each correct answer. (If the district has opted to count the multiple-choice section as a tiebreaker only, it is only necessary to grade that section for entries involved in a tie.) In the listening portion of the contest, award two points for the correct major work, if required, or one point if the major work is correct but misspelled. Award two points for the correct selection title, or one point if the selection title is correct but misspelled. Award two points for the correct composer or one point if the composer’s name is correct but misspelled.

Study Materials

In the link below, you'll find study booklets from multiple years to utilize as you practice for your event.  There are also practice tests and answer keys to check for understanding after studying.  You'll also find the official song list for this year.

Link to Study Materials (You must login with a BISD account to access the materials.)