New Mexico Music Educators Association
Content Standards and Benchmarks
for
Music K - 12 in the New Mexico Public Schools

B E N C H M A R K S
STANDARD K-4 5-8 9-12
Learn and develop the essential skills and technical demands unique to music.

1

 Students will:
sing and speak using appropriate vocal techniques while maintaining a steady beat;

explore timbre (tone quality) capabilities and limitations of various classroom instruments;

explore through movement simple rhythm patterns; and

identify basic rhythmic symbols including whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes, and the concepts of dotted notes and rests.

 Students will:
improvise, compose, and/or arrange simple rhythmic and harmonic accompaniments;

improvise, compose, and/or arrange short melodies, unaccompanied and over a given rhythmic accompaniment;

explore complex combinations of beat and rhythm patterns through movement; and

perform on non-tuned percussion instruments, varying dynamics, timbre, and tempo while maintaining steady beat.

 Students will:
perform expressively with appropriate dynamics, phrasing and interpretations;

demonstrate an understanding of simple and compound meters; and

read and write simple rhythmic and melodic examples and demonstrate rudimentary musical dictation skills; and

explore music theory, history, and appreciation.
B E N C H M A R K S
STANDARD K-4 5-8 9-12
Use music to express ideas.

2

 Students will:
recognize music and its notation as a type of language capable of expressing ideas.		 Students will:
recognize how music is used in contemporary society to influence how we think and live; and

recognize that emotions and ideas can be expressed through abstract/absolute music.

 Students will:
recognize how different compositional devices and form can communicate distinct ideas through music.
B E N C H M A R K S
STANDARD K-4 5-8 9-12
Integrate understanding of visual and performing art by seeking connections and parallels among art disciplines as well as all other content areas.

3

 Students will:
identify terms common to the various art forms;

improvise accompaniments to poetry, dramatizations, dance etc.; and

identify ways in which music can support and enhance other disciplines.

 Students will:
recognize how all music elements are used in similar and distinctive ways in various art; and

explore and identify links among art disciplines as well as among other content areas.

 Students will:
explore how the principles and subject matter of various disciplines outside the art are interrelated with those of the are disciplines.
B E N C H M A R K S
STANDARD K-4 5-8 9-12
Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of the creative process.

4

 Students will:
improvise completion of a given rhythmic or melodic phrase;

investigate a variety of sound sources for improvising short songs and instrumental pieces; and

understand that there are multiple ways in which a phrase may be completed.

Students will:
improvise completion of a given rhythmic or melodic phrase, giving attention to similarities of "question" and "answer" in length of phrase, meter, mood, etc.

discuss improvisations in relation to what makes them successful; and

compose short melodies and accompaniments.

Students will:
define the significance of improvisation in performance and the compositional process;

demonstrate understanding of principles of repetition, contrast, and unity as compositional elements; and

explain how the roles of composers, performers, and others combine to produce a successful presentation.

B E N C H M A R K S
STANDARD K-4 5-8 9-12
Observe, discuss, analyze, and make critical judgments about artistic works.

5

 Students will:
identify simple music forms when presented aurally;

identify the sounds of more familiar instruments as well as treble and bass voices; and

discuss responses and reactions to particular musical works using appropriate terminology.

Students will:
identify aural instrumental and voice classifications;

compare and evaluate various musical works; and

discuss criteria for making musical judgments.

Students will:
develop and apply specific criteria for making informed evaluations about the quality and effectiveness of musical performances; and

analyze and explain the aesthetic qualities of a piece of music; how meaning is derived, and how music can evoke feelings and emotions.

B E N C H M A R K S
STANDARD K-4 5-8 9-12
Show increased awareness of diverse peoples and cultures through visual and performing art.

6

 Students will:
identify and perform a varied repertoire from historical periods and diverse cultures with emphasis on the music and the cultures of New Mexico; and

explore the cultural context of music being studied.

Students will:
amplify and enhance cultural awareness of different ethnicities through related drama, poetry, dance, etc.;

compare and contrast western and non-western music; and

compare and contrast folk music with traditional and contemporary music.

Students will:
identify well known musicians of various cultures and their prominent works;

describe how folk music has been used as a basis for formal compositions; and

identify and describe the role of music and musicians in various settings of New Mexico.

B E N C H M A R K S
STANDARD K-4 5-8 9-12
Demonstrate knowledge about how technology and invention have historically influenced artists and offered new possibilities for expression.

7

 Students will:
examine how various instruments have evolved; and

use appropriate music software.

Students will:
trace and discuss the evolution and use of various instruments;

discuss evolution and role of various ensembles; and

explore the impact that video and other technologies have in relation to musical performances and to the perception of music.

Students will:
understand how technology has influenced the composition and performance of music.
B E N C H M A R K S
STANDARD K-4 5-8 9-12
Contribute to communities by sharing expertise in music by participating in the activities of cultural institutions.

8

 Students will:
model appropriate audience behavior at live concert performances;

participate in appropriate school programs; and

share and develop cultural experiences.

Students will:
participate in appropriate programs at the school in the community; and

attend appropriate musical events.

Students will:
share musical abilities with community as a performer and consumer of music.

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NMMEA © 1998