GENERAL MUSIC CURRICULUM

GRADES 5-6

Content Standard 5/6 GM1

Sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music

The learner will:

5/6-GM-1a: sing accurately and with good breath control throughout their singing ranges, alone and in small and large ensembles

5/6-GM-1b: sing with expression and technical accuracy a repertoire of vocal literature with a level of difficulty of 2, on a scale of 1 to 6, including some songs performed from memory

5/6-GM-1c: sing music representing diverse genres and cultures, with expression appropriate for the work being performed

5/6-GM-1d: sing music written in two parts

Content Standard 5/6 GM2

Perform on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music

The learner will:

5/6-GM-2a: perform accurately and independently on classroom instruments while contrasting instrumental and vocal parts are occurring

5/6-GM-2b: perform with expression and technical accuracy on at least one string, wind, percussion or classroom instrument a variety of repertoire

5/6-GM-2c: perform music representing diverse genres and cultures, with expression appropriate for the work being performed

5/6-GM-2d: play by ear simple melodies on a melodic instrument and simple accompaniments on a harmonic instrument

Content Standard 5/6 GM3

Improvise melodies, variations and accompaniments

The learner will:

5/6-GM-3a: improvise simple harmonic accompaniments

5/6-GM-3b: improvise melodic embellishments and simple rhythmic and melodic variations on given pentatonic melodies and melodies in major keys

5/6-GM-3c: improvise short melodies, unaccompanied and over given rhythmic accompaniments, each in a consistent style, meter and tonality

Content Standard 5/6 GM4

Compose and arrange music within specified guidelines

The learner will:

5/6-GM-4a: compose short pieces within specified guidelines, demonstrating how the elements of music are used to achieve unity and variety, tension and release, and balance

5/6-GM-4b: arrange simple pieces for voice or instruments other than those for which the pieces were written

5/6-GM-4c: use a variety of traditional and nontraditional sound sources and electronic media when composing and arranging

Content Standard 5/6 GM5

Read and notate music

The learner will:

5/6-GM-5a: read whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth, and dotted notes and rests in 2/4, ¾, 4/4, 6/8, 3/8, and alla breve meter signatures

5/6-GM-5b: read at sight simple melodies in the treble clef

5/6-GM-5c: identify and define standard notation symbols for pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, articulation, and expression

5/6-GM-5d: use standard notation to record their musical ideas and the musical ideas of others

Content Standard 5/6 GM6

Listen to, analyze, and describe music

The learner will:

5/6-GM-6a: describe specific music events in a given aural example, using appropriate terminology

5/6-GM-6b: analyze the uses of elements of music in aural examples representing diverse genres and cultures

5/6-GM-6c: demonstrate knowledge of basic principles of meter, rhythm, tonality, intervals, chords, and harmonic progressions in their analyses of music

Content Standard 5/6 GM7

Evaluate music and music performances

The learner will:

5/6-GM-7a: develop criteria for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of music performances and compositions and apply the criteria in their personal listening and performing

5/6-GM-7b: evaluate the quality and effectiveness of their own and others’ performances, compositions, arrangements, and improvisations by applying specific criteria appropriate for the style of the music and offer constructive suggestions for improvement

Content Standard 5/6 GM8

Understand relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts

The learner will:

5/6-GM-8a: compare in two or more arts how the characteristic materials of each art can be used to transform similar events, scenes, emotions, or ideas into works of art

5/6-GM-8b: describe ways in which the principles and subject matter of other disciplines taught in the school are interrelated with those of music

Content Standard 5/6 GM9

Understand music in relation to history and culture

The learner will:

5/6-GM-9a: describe distinguishing characteristics of representative music genres and styles from a variety of cultures

5/6-GM-9b: classify by genre and style (and, if applicable, by historical period, composer, and title) a varied body of exemplary (that is, high-quality and characteristic) musical works and explain the characteristics that cause each work to be considered exemplary

5/6-GM-9c: compare, in several cultures of the world, functions music serves, roles of musicians, and conditions under which music is typically performed