Music Curriculum

The Boulder Valley Music Curriculum provides the foundation for quality music instruction for students and represents the core program for which all schools are accountable. The Boulder Valley Academic Standards in music are the topical organization of the concepts and skills all Colorado students should know and be able to do throughout their preschool through twelfth-grade experience.

1. Expression of Music

The expression of music is the demonstration of human thought and emotion through the medium of performance, which is a product of knowledge and skills gained in the study of music.

2. Creation of Music

The creation of music is the demonstration of learned skills in the composition, improvisation, and arranging of music. Creating music involves writing music, fashioning new music from an existing piece of music, or forming an entirely new piece of music.

3. Theory of Music

The theory of music is the understanding of the distinctive language, conventions, mechanics, and structure of organized sound. Investigation of music theory allows for a more complete understanding of all aspects of the musical process, including musical performance and composition.

4. Aesthetic Valuation of Music

The value of music focuses on the knowledge needed to make an informed evaluation and to provide a well-thought-out critique about a musical piece. It also addresses the beauty, heart, and soul: the aesthetics of music. Valuing music will permit individuals to distinguish between a scholarly and an individual judgment of music.

BVSD Adopted Music Materials Lists

Music is an essential component of a child’s education. In elementary music, students focus on singing, playing instruments, improvising, composing, reading and notating music, as well as analyzing, evaluating and integrating music with other academic disciplines. This skill-based approach spirals learning through each grade level and continues through more advanced musical studies. All 5th Grade Students learn to play an instrument.

Report Cards

Here is the link to elementary report card templates. Music is evaluated based on the Standards.

Middle School music builds on all the concepts learned in elementary school, especially 5th Grade Instrumental Music. Middle Schools offer multiple levels of Orchestra, Choir and Band and some offer Music Technology and Guitar instruction.

You can find all the Curriculum Essential Documents for middle school music courses here.

High Schools offer an array of music options including band, jazz band, orchestra, choirs, musical theatre, music history, music technology and music theory.

You can find all Curriculum Essential Documents for high school music courses here.