Music Benchmarks

 

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Music expresses that which cannot be said and

on which it is impossible to be silent.

- Victor Hugo

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Through music education students become fluent in the language of music as artistic, intellectual, and cultural expression. Performing, creating, and responding to music provide means for development and growth. Learning to read and notate music opens for students the limitless body of musical styles, forms, and repertoire, and allows them to see what they hear and hear what they see. Fluency in music brings understanding of contemporary and historical cultures, as well as self-knowledge. Music includes forms such as folk, popular, band and orchestral music, gospel music and oratorio, jazz, opera, and musical theatre.

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The PreK–12 Standards for Music

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1. Singing. Students will sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

2. Reading and Notation. Students will read music written in standard notation.

3. Playing Instruments. Students will play instruments, alone and with others, to perform a varied repertoire of music.

4. Improvisation and Composition. Students will improvise, compose, and arrange music.

5. Critical Response. Students will describe and analyze their own music and the music of others using appropriate music vocabulary. When appropriate, students will connect their analysis to interpretation and evaluation.

6. Purposes and Meanings in the Arts. Students will describe the purposes for which works of dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and architecture were and are created, and, when appropriate, interpret their meanings.

7. Roles of Artists in Communities. Students will describe the roles of artists, patrons, cultural organizations, and arts institutions in societies of the past and present.

8. Concepts of Style, Stylistic Influence, and Stylistic Change. Students will demonstrate their understanding of styles, stylistic influence, and stylistic change by identifying when and where art works were created, and by analyzing characteristic features of art works from various historical periods, cultures, and genres.

9. Inventions, Technologies, and the Arts. Students will describe and analyze how performing and visual artists use and have used materials, inventions, and technologies in their work.

10. Interdisciplinary Connections. Students will apply their knowledge of the arts to the study of English language arts, foreign languages, health, history and social science, mathematics, and science and technology/engineering.

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The K–5 Benchmarks for Music

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Kindergarten
 

*Music Education is offered in the full-day Kindergarten program at Rita Edwards Miller School only. Unfortunately,

Kindergarten music classes are not offered to Nabnasset or Robinson students at this time.

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• Respond to a given beat through the use of movement and rhythm instruments.

• Begin to develop a proper singing (head) voice.

• Distinguish differences in tempo, dynamics, and pitch.

• Develop creativity and musical expression through movement, instruments, and voice.

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Pre-1st Grade

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• Demonstrate steady beat through the use of movement and instruments. Begin to develop a proper singing (head) voice.

• Respond expressively to changes in tempo, dynamics, and pitch.

• Build foundations for improvisation and creative music-making.

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1st Grade

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• Demonstrate steady beat through the use of movement and instruments.

• Identify and perform simple rhythmic patterns containing quarter notes, eighth notes, half notes, whole notes, and quarter rests.

• Develop aural and vocal skills.

• Apply knowledge of musical concepts through creative movement, playing instruments, and singing.

• Build foundations for improvisation and creative music-making.

• Demonstrate an understanding of musical form.

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2nd Grade

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• Identify and perform simple rhythmic patterns containing quarter notes, eighth notes, half notes, whole notes, and quarter rests.

• Apply knowledge of musical concepts through creative movement, playing instruments, and singing.

• Demonstrate an understanding of musical form.

• Improvise melodies and rhythmic patterns. Develop ensemble and performance skills.

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3rd Grade

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• Develop individual and ensemble singing skills.

• Use knowledge of music notation to read, compose, and perform simple melodies.

• Use appropriate terminology to identify and describe the instruments of the orchestra, as well as those from a variety of different time periods and cultures.

• Demonstrate understanding of musical concepts through improvisation and composition.

• Explore how history, culture, and personal experiences play a role in a composer’s creative process.

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3rd Grade Strings

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• Weekly 45 minute group lesson

• Study and practice correct posture and basic playing technique Establish good practice habits and consistent practice routines Develop active listening, self-reflection, and critical thinking skills Basic music theory with emphasis on note reading in D major

 

4th Grade

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• Develop individual and ensemble singing skills.

• Use knowledge of music notation to read, compose, and perform simple melodies through the use of the recorder. Demonstrate understanding of musical concepts through improvisation and composition.

• Develop ensemble performance skills by making appropriate musical choices through collaboration with peers. Use appropriate terminology to identify and describe the instruments of the orchestra, as well as those from a variety of different time periods and cultures.

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4th Grade Strings

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• Weekly 45 minute group lesson

• Expanded scale areas to three or more keys

• Playing on all strings

• Expansion of rhythmic patterns

• Additional bowing and finger patterns

• Extended note reading practice and two or more part playing Refining posture, tone and intonation

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5th Grade

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• Develop individual and ensemble singing skills.

• Use knowledge of music notation to read, compose, and perform simple melodies.

• Demonstrate understanding of musical concepts through improvisation and composition.

• Explore how history, culture, and personal experiences play a role in a composer’s creative process. Understand how harmony provides structure, depth, and expression in music.

• Understand the relationships between music, the arts, and disciplines outside the arts.

• Understand music in relation to history and culture.

• Use appropriate terminology to identify and describe the instruments of the orchestra, as well as those from a variety of different time periods and cultures.

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5th Grade Strings

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• Weekly 45 minute group lesson with addition of weekly orchestra rehearsal before school Extension of music theory and playing knowledge into four or more keys

• Emphasis on musical expression, ensemble playing skills and more advanced playing technique Development of collaborative skills

• Grade 1 or higher string orchestra literature

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5th Grade Chorus

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• Perform music of various styles, genres, cultures, and historical periods in a variety of languages. Perform in unison, rounds, and partner songs.

• Demonstrate proper vocal techniques including breathing, intonation. diction, and phrasing. Develop ensemble performance skills.

• Understand how musical concepts are used to create expressive performances. Demonstrate proper performance and audience etiquette.