Grades 7-8 Alone or in small and large ensembles, students sing accurately and with good breath control throughout the singing ranges or perform on at least one instrument accurately and independently, with good posture, playing position, and breath, bow or stick control. Students sing music written in two and three parts or play simple melodies by ear on a melodic instrument and simple accompaniments on a harmonic instrument. Students improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments. Grades 7-8 Students improvise simple harmonic accompaniments. Students improvise melodic embellishments and simple rhythmic and melodic variations to given rhythmic and melodic phrases.
Students sing or perform on instruments a varied repertoire of music.
Grades 7-8 Students compose short pieces within specified guidelines, demonstrating how the elements of music are used to achieve unity and variety, tension and release, and balance. Students use a variety of traditional and non-traditional sound sources and electronic media in composing and arranging moderately complex melodies. Students develop knowledge and skills necessary to understand and perform music from all parts of the world. Grades 7-8 Students listen to and describe aural examples of music of various styles representing diverse cultures. Students identify a variety of instruments from various cultures and describe how they sound.