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Music Benchmarks

Historical, Cultural and Social Contexts
Students demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a variety of music styles and cultures and the context of musical expression or events, both past and present. Students identify significant contributions of composers and performers to music heritage. Students analyze the historical, social and political forces that have influenced the function and role of music in the lives of people.

 Grades K-4

Benchmark A: Identify and demonstrate basic music forms.

Benchmark B: Identify and respond to music of historical and cultural origins.

Benchmark C: Recognize the interaction of people in music.

Grades 5-8

Benchmark A: Compare and contrast styles and forms of music from various historical periods.

Benchmark B: Identify composers and classify them according to chronological historical periods.

Benchmark C: Describe how events during various historical periods have influenced the development of music.

Grades 9-12

Benchmark A: Identify music forms from various cultures and historical periods and create or perform representative repertoire with stylistic accuracy.

Benchmark B: Research and explain how music and composers both influence and are influenced by society and culture.

Creative Expression and Communication
Students sing, play instruments, improvise, compose, read and notate music.

Grades K-4

Benchmark A: Sing and/or play instruments, alone and with others, demonstrating a variety of repertoire using proper technique, accurate rhythm and pitch and appropriate expressive qualities.

Benchmark B: Read, write, improvise and compose melodies and accompaniments.

Grades 5-8

Benchmark A: Perform a piece of music independently or in a group with technical accuracy and expression.

Benchmark B: Improvise or compose a short melody that includes key signature and meter signature with proper notation in treble or bass clef.

Benchmark C: Identify and recognize in a piece of music the following: clef, key signature, meter signature, tempo, dynamic markings and note values.

Grades 9-12

Benchmark A: Sing and/or play, independently or in ensembles, demonstrating technical and stylistic accuracy and musical expressiveness with appropriate responses to a leader's cues and gestures.

Benchmark B: Read, perform or compose music repertoire using a variety of tonalities while demonstrating an understanding of the language of music.

Analyzing and Responding
Students listen to a varied repertoire of music and respond by analyzing and describing music using correct terminology. Students evaluate the creating and performing of music by using appropriate criteria.

Grades K-4

Benchmark A: Identify and demonstrate elements of music using developmentally appropriate music vocabulary.

Benchmark B: Identify the sounds of a variety of instruments including orchestra, band and classroom instruments.

Benchmark C: Discuss and evaluate individual and group musical performance.

Grades 5-8

Benchmark A: Describe and evaluate a piece of music using developed criteria based on elements of music and music vocabulary.

Benchmark B: Analyze the structure of larger music works and the sections comprised within.

Benchmark C: Apply appropriate criteria to support personal preferences for music choice and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of a music performance.

Grades 9-12

Benchmark A: Analyze and evaluate music selections based upon established criteria.

Benchmark B: Analyze and respond to conducting patterns and gestures in relation to

interpretation of music performance literature.

Benchmark C: Analyze common harmonic progressions in selected repertoire aurally.

Benchmark D: Apply appropriate established criteria to evaluate a variety of music performances.

Valuing Music/Aesthetic Reflection
Students demonstrate an understanding of reasons why people value music and a respect for diverse opinions regarding music preferences. Students articulate the significance of music in their lives.

Grades K-4

Benchmark A: Reflect on their own performance and the performance of others.

Benchmark B: Demonstrate audience behavior appropriate for the context and style of music performed.

Benchmark C: Demonstrate how music communicates meaning of text, feelings, moods or images, and influences personal preferences.

Grades 5-8

Benchmark A: Reflect on and describe how music performance and settings affect audience response.

Benchmark B: Reflect on why others may have different music preferences.

Benchmark C: Justify one's personal preference of music choice using music vocabulary.

Grades 9-12

Benchmark A: Articulate and justify a personal philosophy regarding music in their life and cite examples that contributed to this thinking.

Benchmark B: Explain how people differ in their music preferences based on their personal experiences.

Benchmark C: Develop and apply specific criteria for making informed, critical judgments about quality and effectiveness of music works both written and performed.

Connections, Relationships and Applications
Students identify similarities and differences between music and other arts disciplines. Students recognize the relationship between concepts and skills learned through music with knowledge learned in other curricular subjects, life experiences and potential careers in and outside the arts. Students develop a desire for lifelong learning in music.

Grades K-4

Benchmark A: Explain ways that music interrelates with other arts disciplines and with various disciplines outside the arts.

Benchmark B: Describe how music is used in various cultures in the United States.

Benchmark C: Identify and describe roles of musicians in various music settings.

 Grades 5-8

Benchmark A: Compare and contrast common terms used in and for the interpretation of music and other arts disciplines.

Benchmark B: Demonstrate ways that subject matter of other disciplines is interrelated with that of music.

Benchmark C: Identify various ways music affects their life.

Benchmark D: Identify various careers in music.

Grades 9-12

Benchmark A: Articulate similarities and differences between music and other content areas.

Benchmark B: Apply technology in creating, performing and/or researching music.

Benchmark C: Compare and contrast several cultures' music works based on the function music serves, role of the musicians and conditions under which the music is performed.

Benchmark D: Articulate music avocation and career opportunities found in various cultures and music settings and identify experiences necessary for success.

All information has been directly excerpted from the ODE Website.  Please visit ODE for the indicators that correspond to each of the benchmarks.