Students develop a technical vocabulary of music through essays and dialogue about the uses of elements of music in master compositions and contemporary works. Students read and notate music. Students read an instrumental or vocal score of up to four staves and describe how the elements of music and the standard notation symbols are used. Students sing or perform on instruments a varied repertoire of music. Students sing or perform on an instrument, with expression and technical accuracy, a varied repertoire of vocal or instrumental literature, including songs performed from memory.
Students demonstrate well-developed ensemble skills and perform in small ensembles.
Students improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments. Students improvise stylistically appropriate harmonizing parts to given rhythmic and melodic phrases. Students improvise rhythmic and melodic variations on given melodies. Students sing or perform on instruments a varied repertoire of music. Students compose music in several distinct styles, demonstrating creativity in using the elements of music for expressive effect.