§117.63. Music, Level IV.

(a)  General requirements. Students may fulfill fine arts and elective requirements for graduation by successfully completing one or more of the following music courses: Band IV, Choir IV, Orchestra IV, Jazz Band IV, Instrumental Ensemble IV, Vocal Ensemble IV, the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory, International Baccalaureate (IB) Music SL, IB Music HL (one credit per course). The prerequisite for IB Music SL and IB Music HL is one credit of any Music III course. The prerequisite for all other Level IV music courses is one credit of Music III in the corresponding discipline.

(b)  Introduction.

(1)  Four basic strands–perception, creative expression/performance, historical and cultural heritage, and critical evaluation–provide broad, unifying structures for organizing the knowledge and skills students are expected to acquire. In music, students develop their intellect and refine their emotions, understanding the cultural and creative nature of musical artistry and making connections among music, the other arts, technology, and other aspects of social life. Through creative performance, students apply the expressive technical skills of music and critical-thinking skills to evaluate multiple forms of problem solving.

(2)  By reflecting on musical periods and styles, students understand music’s role in history and are able to participate successfully in a diverse society. Students analyze and evaluate music, developing criteria for making critical judgments and informed choices.

(c)  Knowledge and skills.

(1)  Perception. The student describes and analyzes musical sound and demonstrates musical artistry. The student is expected to:

(A)  demonstrate independence in interpreting music through the performance of appropriate literature;

(B)  analyze musical performances, intervals, music notation, chordal structure, rhythm/meter, and harmonic texture, using standard terminology; and

(C)  analyze music forms of performance and listening repertoire.

(2)  Creative expression/performance. The student sings or plays an instrument, individually and in groups, performing a varied repertoire of music. The student is expected to:

(A)  perform independently, demonstrating accurate intonation and rhythm, fundamental skills, and advanced techniques, and using literature ranging from moderately difficult to difficult;

(B)  demonstrate comprehension of musical styles by selecting appropriate literature for performances;

(C)  perform expressively, from memory and notation, a varied repertoire of music representing styles from diverse cultures; and

(D)  exhibit, describe, and critique small- and large- ensemble performance techniques experienced and observed during formal and informal concerts.

(3)  Creative expression/performance. The student reads and writes music notation. The student is expected to:

(A)  sight-read major, minor, modal, and chromatic melodies;

(B)  read and write music that incorporates complex rhythmic patterns in simple, compound, and asymmetric meters; and

(C)  interpret music symbols and terms referring to dynamics, tempo, and articulation when performing.

(4)  Creative expression/performance. The student creates and arranges music within specified guidelines. The student is expected to:

(A)  improvise musical melodies; and

(B)  compose or arrange vocal or instrumental pieces (manuscript or computer-generated).

(5)  Historical/cultural heritage. The student relates music to history, to society, and to culture. The student is expected to:

(A)  classify representative examples of music by style and by historical period or culture, justifying the classifications;

(B)  describe the effects of music on society, culture, and technology;

(C)  explain a variety of music and music-related career options; and

(D)  define the relationships between the content, the concepts, and the processes of the other fine arts and those of music.

(6)  Response/evaluation. The student responds to and evaluates music and musical performances. The student is expected to:

(A)  evaluate musical performances and compositions by comparing them to similar or exemplary models and offering constructive suggestions for improvement; and

(B)  exhibit concert etiquette during live performances in a variety of settings.

Source: The provisions of this §117.63 adopted to be effective September 1, 1998, 22 TexReg 4943.