Music

 

Music education readies students for learning by helping to develop their basic mental skills and capacities. Music instruction enhances fine motor skills, prepares the brain for achievement, fosters superior working memory and cultivates better thinking skills.

Not only do students who study music develop musical abilities, they receive benefits that extend to other academic areas. Music education advances math achievement, boosts reading and language arts skills and increases average SAT scores, leading to overall scholastic success. Music learning benefits student achievement by improving their retention of verbal information and develops their creative capacities for lifelong success.

Source: Arts Education Partnership

Curriculum


Elementary

  • Students learn the basic pedagogy and rudiments of vocal and instrumental music.
  • Students are encouraged to develop healthy breathing, posture and sound production.
  • Students participate in learning activities that introduce and begin to refine musical concepts, vocabulary and skills.
  • Students are active participants in the music making and learning process through practice and repetition of songs, activities and music games.
  • Listening, analyzing and describing music are essential in all lessons.

 


Secondary

  • The Secondary music curriculum provides students with a comprehensive, standards-based music education. The study of music fosters artistic development, critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and the pursuit of life-long learning. Through performing and responding to music, all students develop individual skills, realize a sense of belonging, and establish connections to the community.
  • HPS offers courses that provide a variety of experiences for students of all abilities and musical backgrounds. These courses are designed for students who wish to pursue music as an avocation as well as those planning a career in music.

 

Resources

National Music Standards (pdf opens in a new window)

ArtsEdge – The Kennedy Centre in Washington has a bank of lesson plans and full learning situations with accompanying resource materials which could be adapted to fit the QEP. Many are transdisciplinary. The bank is searchable by arts subject, other subjects and grade level.

National Association for Music Education (NAfME) – among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels.

Audacity – a free, open source, cross-platform audio software for multi-track recording and editing.

Chromatik – a full catalog of free sheet music, plus annotation and recording tools, Chromatik is dedicated to helping you practice, perform, and share the tunes you … https://www.chromatik.com/

 

 

CONTACTS

Tracy Avicolli Director of the Arts & Wellness  860-695-8818 Tracy.Avicolli@hartfordschools.org
Kara Arnold Curriculum Specialist 860-695-8792 GAGLK001@hartfordschools.org