Course Description

The following guidelines list the minimum goals and objectives for instrumental music classes offered to satisfy the studio/performance course within the humanities requirement.

Because of music 5 power to express beauty, the study of music should have as its central purpose the development of aesthetic responsiveness on the part of the student. To accomplish this, music teachers should help students: (1) gain an understanding of the language and structure of music; (2) develop personal and group skills in performing, creating, and listening to music; (3) develop an awareness and understanding of man's music heritage; and (4) deepen their appreciation and valuing of music.

Critical Components

• Language and Structure of Music
• Skills in Performing, Creating, and Listening
• Understanding Music Heritage
• Appreciation and Evaluation

I. Language and Structure of Music

A. Goal:

Students will understand the essential elements of music including melody, harmony, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, form, texture, and timbre.

Objectives:

Students will

1. Recognize, identify, and understand melodic lines, phrasing, pitch, and intonation.

2. Recognize, identify, and understand harmonic structures and tonality.

3. Recognize, identify and understand duple/triple meter, note and rest values, and rhythmic terminology.

4. Recognize, identify, and understand that different speeds and volume levels excite interest in music.

5. Recognize, identify, and understand that music is an orderly structured discipline which has identifiable form.

6. Recognize, identify, and understand the characteristic tones of musical instruments.

II. Skills in Performing, Creating, Listening

A. Goal:

Students will develop skills necessary to become capable and intelligent performers, listeners, and musical creators with sensitivity to the expressive qualities of musical sound.

Objectives:

Students will

1. Exhibit correct tone production and resonance with particular attention to characteristic sounds on their instrument in all registers and dynamic levels.

2. Demonstrate good playing posture, proper embouchure, fingering, sticking, bowing techniques, and correct breath support.

3. Know and use preferred fingerings and positions for their instruments, including alternate and trill fingerings.

4. Demonstrate correct equipment selection and performance techniques.

5. Utilize correct procedures for tuning instruments.

6. Play parts with accurate intonation, including making adjustments to produce a finely tuned unison or chord.

7. Make adjustments to attain proper blend and balance.

8. Perform proper attacks, releases, expression markings, and phrasing.

9. Perform music with contrast in speed and volume as indicated in the music.

10. Perform different articulation styles including staccato, legato, and slurs.

11. Perform and articulate rhythmic figures with technical proficiency and display rhythmic independence.

12. Experience solo and/or small ensemble playing.

13. Grow in ability to analyze thematic characteristics while relating to form and style periods.

14. Recognize and demonstrate basic conducting patterns.

15. Perform compositions at sight.

III. Understanding of Music Heritage

A. Goal:

Students will develop awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the composer's styles, performance media, and purposes of music that are part of our multicultural heritage.

Objectives:

Students will

1. Perform and listen to music from the various historical periods and cultures.

2. Compare similarities and differences in musical styles of different cultures and historical periods.

3. Develop an awareness of the relationship of music to other areas of the humanities.

4. Become acquainted with important composers, past, present, and their music.

IV. Appreciation and Evaluation

A. Goal:

Students will grow in appreciation, enjoyment, and discrimination of music.

Objectives:

Students will

1. Discover that music arouses a wide range of intellectual challenges and heightens sensitivity to beauty.

2. Desire to continue musical experiences after graduation.

3. Learn to make sensitive and intelligent choices in their selection of music.

4. Seek out additional performing and listening opportunities and choose music as a worthwhile use of leisure time.

5. Exhibit proper and appreciative audience behavior.

6. Value music as a way of elevating the human spirit and a means of self-expression and emotional release.

7. Develop an appreciation for excellence in performance.

8. Develop and apply skills to evaluate individual and group performances and defend judgments in musical terms.