Course Description
Description of Intermediate Band
This course further develops and refines core concepts and fundamentals introduced in
Beginning Band. Study includes the care and cultivation of a beautiful tone, the ability to read
music with increasing fluency, the building of technical skills, team spirit, and responsible
rehearsal habits. Students will have opportunities to experience the spontaneity of improvisation
and the creative process of composition. Students will heighten listening skills and increase their
ability to analyze and evaluate music and music performances. Attention will also be given to
relating their music experiences to the time and culture of the pieces they study, as well as to
contemporary society. Prerequisite course is Band I (MU 1630), or audition.
Explanation of Standards
The Utah State Music Core divides the goals of music education into four music standards which
are Perform, Create, Listen/Analyze/Evaluate, and Discover Meaning. These four divisions or
standards organize the curriculum into manageable and related units and guide the student
through a rich experience with music. Each standard is broken into objectives, each objective
into indicators. A scoring box is placed to the left of each objective. The student scores his or
her achievement within each objective using a number ranging from 0 to 10. A legend is
provided wherein the student and teacher tally both the average score from the objective boxes
and the total number of indicators the class has studied.
Playback/recording technology is required.
Core Standards of the Course
Standard 1
(Perform): Students will use body, voice, and instruments as means of musical expression.
Objective 1
Produce a beautiful tone.
- Produce a characteristic tone at various dynamic levels throughout a full range.
- Perform musical examples spanning the p, mp, mf, and f dynamic levels while demonstrating characteristic tone at each level.
- Describe the adjustments needed in embouchure and breath support to perform at various dynamic levels.
- Identify the adjustments and physical development that are required to increase the playing range on a particular instrument.
- Perform musical examples that utilize pitches reaching into the upper and lower tessitura while maintaining a characteristic tone.
Objective 2
Demonstrate technical performance skills.
- Perform musical examples that use combinations of legato, staccato, marcato, accent, and slur articulation.
- Describe the sound characteristics of various articulations and the physical process needed to produce each.
- Name and write the pitches in twelve major scales.
- Play the chromatic, twelve major scales and the following minor scales in the natural, harmonic, and melodic form: a, d, g, c, and f.
- Describe tuning and tune the instrument to a given pitch.
Objective 3
Demonstrate notational literacy.
- Identify and define standard notation terms and symbols for pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, articulation, and expression.
- Perform correct pitch and rhythm while sight-reading.
Objective 4
Demonstrate productive rehearsal habits.
- Show respect for the collaborative rehearsal process through preparation, conscientious attendance, alertness, energetic participation, and ready cooperation.
- Contribute positively to the risk-taking rehearsal environment by showing patience, kindness, and respect to classmates and instructors.
- Assist in the organization and care of supplies, facilities, and equipment.
- Exhibit commendable performance etiquette.
Objective 5
Demonstrate knowledge, use, and care of selected instruments.
- Identify and explain the names and functions of various parts of the instrument.
- Demonstrate the proper assembling of the instrument and care following playing.
- List responsibilities of instrument owner in care and maintenance, part replacement, and damage repair.
Objective 6
Perform varied repertoire.
- Perform in public and/or for adjudication band pieces in the style indicated.
- Demonstrate ability to follow the conductor.
- Prepare and perform accompanied solos and small ensemble pieces.
- Perform with sensitivity, correct dynamics, phrasing, expression, and style.
Standard 2
(Create): Students will improvise and compose music.
Objective 1
Improvise rhythmic and melodic ideas and phrases.
- Play back short scale fragments or rhythmic motives with and without accompaniment.
- Create short scale fragments or rhythmic motives for others to replicate.
- Improvise answers in the same style to given melodic phrases using pentatonic or major scales up to 8 counts in length.
- Answer (vocally, then with instruments) phrases provided by the teacher.
- Participate in group improvisation using the tones of the pentatonic or major scales.
- Play embellishments (rhythmic and melodic) to simple melodies and familiar tunes.
Objective 2
Record musical thoughts in standard notation.
- Use appropriate terms and symbols in notating simple compositions and arrangements.
- Finish notating partially written phrases.
- Write variations of given phrases.
- Write a consequent phrase for a given antecedent phrase.
- Complete a given partial melody so that it ends in different ways.
Objective 3
Write original melodies and short compositions.
- Finish notating partially written phrases.
- Write variations of a given phrase.
- Write a consequent phrase for a given antecedent phrase.
Standard 3
(Listen/Analyze/Evaluate): Students will expand music listening skills and use music vocabulary to analyze and evaluate music.
Objective 1
Analyze and evaluate musical examples.
- Describe, using the vocabulary of music, musical events as they occur in performance repertoire or in recorded examples.
- Analyze what the music is communicating and how.
- Make value judgments based on effectiveness of musical events and expressive effects.
Objective 2
Evaluate ensemble performances.
- List important criteria for determining the quality of a music performance.
- Evaluate, using this list, strengths and weaknesses in performance, and prepare suggestions for improvement.
- Demonstrate commendable behavior while at a concert.
- Compare/contrast live musical performances with recordings.
Objective 3
Document personal growth as a musician.
- Using the criteria from Objective B, evaluate strengths and weaknesses in personal performance.
- Organize and maintain records of completed work; e.g., recordings, journal writings, sketch book, self/peer/teacher/adjudicator assessments.
- Select a piece of own completed work that most clearly illustrates progress, and explain this choice to teacher and/or parents.
- Explain how the quality of own performance affects the performance of the whole group.
Standard 4
(Discover Meaning): Students will find avenues of understanding and communication through connecting music to personal growth, the joy of living, traditions, culture,and history.
Objective 1
Examine how music relates to personal development and enjoyment of life.
- Evaluate how the study of music expands the ability to communicate with and understand others.
- Tell how music can be a joyful part of daily activities.
- Describe how making music together helps develop skills and success in working with others.
- Describe how self and/or class have used music to be of service to someone.
- Explain how participation in music can become a lifetime pursuit and/or develop analytical and creative thinking skills.
Objective 2
Experience how music connects us to history, culture, heritage, and community.
- Demonstrate how people celebrate, mourn, create, communicate ideas, help others, express feelings, come together, and/or enjoy themselves through music.
- Perform and enjoy music related to various cultures, times, and places.
- Explain what the music experienced above means personally.
These materials
have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies
of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use.
When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State
Office of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part,
or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State
Office of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City,
Utah 84114-4200.
For more information about this core curriculum, contact the USOE Specialist,
CAROL ANN GOODSON
or visit the
Fine Arts - Music Home Page.
For general questions about Utah's Core Curriculum, contact the USOE Curriculum Director,
LYNNE GREENWOOD .
UEN Contact Info: 801-581-2999 | 800-866-5852 |
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