If you're teaching in a school, if you're helping with grant applications for your music program, chances are you're hearing about "learning standards" constantly, and in particular about the "Common Core" standards.
I thought it would be useful to look at the basic principles of the Common Core standards in music (a national set of standards) and the Standards currently articulated by my state (New York) and my city (New York City.)
As I compare them, in spite of the fact that the sequence is a bit different, it's clear that nearly all the same principles are being included in each. But you may want to think about which aspects of these various lists YOUR program addresses, and whether that's sufficient, or not. Although the implication is that every music program and every music teacher should address every concept on the list, clearly there's a difference between a teaching-artist who sees his students one period a week (me) and the school music teacher who sees the same students three or four times a week.
In the very limited time I have with my students (once a week for 25 weeks) I cannot address every concept on these lists, so I focus on music making - preparing students to perform music.
Here's the chart:
National Standards -------------------------------------------------------------------------
source:
http://nccas.wikispaces.com/file/view/Framework%2005%2022-14.pdf/513758852/Framework%2005%2022-14.pdf
National
Core Arts Standards, 2010
Four
Artistic Processes and Anchor Standards
1.
Creating
Conceiving
and developing new artistic ideas and work.
2.
Performing/Presenting/Producing
Performing:
Realizing artistic ideas and work through interpretation and
presentation.
Presenting:
Interpreting and sharing artistic work.
Producing:
Realizing and presenting artistic ideas and work.
3.
Responding
Understanding
and evaluating how the arts convey meaning.
4.
Connecting
Relating
artistic ideas and work with personal meaning and external context.
New York State -------------------------------------------------------------------------
source:
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/standards.html
Learning Standards of New York State, "Arts" Category, 2013
Standard
1: Creating,
Performing, and Participating in the Arts
Students will actively engage in the processes that constitute creation and performance in the arts (dance, music, theatre, and visual arts) and participate in various roles in the arts.
Students will actively engage in the processes that constitute creation and performance in the arts (dance, music, theatre, and visual arts) and participate in various roles in the arts.
Standard 2: Knowing and Using Arts Materials and Resources
Students will be knowledgeable about and make use of the materials and resources available for participation in the arts in various roles.
Standard 3: Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art
Students will respond critically to a variety of works in the arts, connecting the individual work to other works and to other aspects of human endeavor and thought.
Standard 4: Understanding the Cultural Contributions of the Arts
Students will develop an understanding of the personal and cultural forces that shape artistic communication and how the arts in turn shape the diverse cultures of past and present society.
New York City -------------------------------------------------------------------------
source:
http://schools.nyc.gov/offices/teachlearn/arts/Blueprints/MusicBP08.pdf
The
Five Strands of the Blueprint (New
York City)
1st edition 2004; 2nd ed. 2008
1.
Music Making
By
exploring, creating, replicating, and observing music, students build
their technical and expressive skills, develop their artistry and a
unique personal voice in music, and experience the power of music to
communicate. They understand music as a universal language and a
legacy of expression in every culture.
2.
Music Literacy
Students
develop a working knowledge of music language and aesthetics, and
apply it to analyzing, evaluating, documenting, creating, and
performing music. They recognize their roles as articulate, literate
musicians when communicating with their families, schools, and
communities through music.
3.
Making Connections
By
investigating historical, social, and cultural contexts, and by
exploring common themes and principles connecting music with other
disciplines, students enrich their creative work and understand the
significance of music in the evolution of human thought and
expression.
4.
Community and Cultural Resources
Students
broaden their perspective by working with professional artists and
arts organizations that represent diverse cultural and personal
approaches to music, and by seeing performances of widely varied
music styles and genres. Active partnerships that combine school and
local community resources with the full range of New York City’s
music and cultural institutions create a fertile ground for students’
music learning and creativity.
5.
Careers and Lifelong Learning
Students
consider the range of music and music-related professions as they
think about their goals and aspirations, and understand how the
various professions support and connect with each other. They carry
physical, social, and cognitive skills learned in music, and an
ability to appreciate and enjoy participating in music throughout
their lives.