Grade Eight General Music

The standards for Grade Eight General Music enable students to use critical thinking skills to gain a
deeper understanding of music. Students explore and evaluate a variety of music styles and develop
personal criteria to be used for describing and analyzing musical performances. Students use a creative
process to develop individual solutions to creative challenges through independent research, investigation,
and inquiry of music ideas and concepts. Students investigate connections between music skills and
college, career, and workplace skills, and analyze connection between music and other fields of
knowledge. Students examine historical and cultural influences of music and the value of music in
society. Students are prepared for further instruction at the high school level.

Creative Process

8.1 The student will demonstrate creative thinking by composing and improvising original
music.
a) Improvise sixteen-measure melodic and rhythmic phrases.
b) Compose sixteen-measure melodies and rhythms.
c) Arranging an existing musical tune.

8.2 The student will apply a creative process for music.
a) Develop individual solutions to creative challenges through independent
research, investigation, and inquiry of music ideas and concepts.
b) Collaborate with peers to define, organize, develop, and share ideas,
investigations, and research of music ideas and concepts.

Critical Thinking and Communication

8.3 The student will analyze, interpret, and evaluate music.
a) Analyze and interpret works of music using inquiry skills and music terminology.
b) Formulate criteria to be used for evaluating works of music.
c) Apply formulated criteria for critiquing musical works and performances of self
and others.

8.4 The student will formulate and justify personal responses to music.
a) Analyze how time and place influence the characteristics that give meaning and
value to a work of music.
b) Describe personal, emotional, and intellectual responses to works of music.

8.5 The student will explain and apply collaboration and communication skills for music,
including active listening.

History, Culture, and Citizenship

8.6 The student will explore historical and cultural influences of music.
a) Describe the cultural influences, musical styles, composers, and historical periods
associated with the music literature being studied.
b) Compare and contrast a variety of musical periods and styles using music
terminology.
c) Compare and contrast the functions of music in a variety of cultures.

8.7 The student will describe opportunities for music performance and advocacy within the
community.

8.8 The student will explain and apply digital citizenship skills related to intellectual property
in music research, performance, and sharing.

Innovation in the Arts

8.9 The student will investigate connections between music skills and college, career, and
workplace skills.

8.10 The student will explore and investigate technology and new media to create, edit, and
present music.

8.11 The student will analyze cross-disciplinary connections with music.

Technique and Application

8.12 The student will read and notate music.
a) Identify and perform melodic patterns using specific interval names (e.g., third,
fifth).
b) Read and notate rhythmic patterns of increasing complexity, including tied
rhythms, eighth note triplets, syncopation.

8.13 The student will perform a variety of music.
a) Use indicated dynamics, phrasing, and other elements of music.
b) Sing or play music written in three parts on the treble and bass staves.
c) Consistently demonstrate appropriate performance practices.

8.14 The student will sing and/or play a variety of instruments.
a) Play melodies and accompaniments written on the grand staff.
b) Play music of increased difficulty in a variety of ensembles using traditional and
nontraditional instruments.

8.15 The student will read, count, and perform rhythmic patterns.
a) Use a counting system.
b) Include patterns that suggest duple and triple meter.
c) Use instruments, body percussion, and voice.
d) Include complex rhythms and syncopation.

8.16 The student will respond to music with movement.
a) Create movements individually or collaboratively to interpret a musical
composition.
b) Create movements to illustrate forms, meters, and patterns.
c) Demonstrate how choreography is a form of expression and communication.