Virginia Music Standards of Learning

Music Theory:

IDEAS, CONCEPTS, SYSTEMS, RULES & Literacy: READING, WRITING

• Read and write music.
• Use critical thinking skills to analyze and understand how music is organized. 

Performance: 

PRESENTATION, ACT, RECITAL, SHOW, MUSICAL PIECE

• Sing, play instruments, improvise, compose, and move to music. 
• Perform music.
• Understand and use music technology, materials, and equipment.

Music History & Cultural Context: 

IDEAS AND BELIEFS SHARED BY A GROUP OF PEOPLE

• Understand music as it relates to history and how it fits into culture.
• Understand characteristics in major historical periods of music.
• Identify a variety of compositional techniques in various styles of music.
• Examine relationships among current events, technology, and society.   

Analysis Evaluation, and Critique:

EXAMINE, STUDY, INVESTIGATE, EXPLORE, REVIEW, ASSESS

• Listen to, respond to, reflect on, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and critique music. 

Aesthetics:

ARTISTIC, VISUAL, APPEALING, BEAUTIFUL

• Recognize and reflect on the emotional, physical, and intellectual qualities of music. 
• Understand the meaning of music to the human experience through cultural perspectives by experiencing and evaluating musical compositions and performances. 

Musical Elements Taught:

Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Texture, Form, Expression, Timbre, Movement, Technology, Vocabulary & Genre.

• Pitch: Melody, Harmony & Tonality
• Duration: Beat, Meter & Rhythm
• Expressive Qualities: Dynamics, Tempo & Articulation
• Design: Texture, Form & Structure
• Tone Color: Vocal & Instrumental
• Style and Background: Cultural & Historical Context 

Music objectives are taught through singing, playing, moving, and improvising. Students learn to read and write musical notation. Describing and analyzing music are two more important skills taught as well as active listening.  The use and development of the singing voice is vital component of the music program.  Students will have the opportunity to play the world music drums, autoharp, recorder, xylophone, and a variety of percussion instruments. Cultural music is another main component in the music room.  In addition, all students will learn about the lives and music of composers and performing artists. All skills are taught in a planned, sequential order to maximize each child's success while using the array of music materials available in the music room.  Music lessons are planned in accordance with National Music Standards, Virginia State Standards and the objectives found in Loudoun County's Elementary music curriculum.