Download Chorus 8 Benchmarks

Choral Music Benchmarks for 8th grade OR for students with TWO YEARS of
previous chorus experience
Knowledge
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Musical Literacy
Skills
Identify the following terms: staff, treble
clef, bass clef, pitch names of the treble clef
and bass clef, ledger line pitches (up to 2
ledger lines above and below the staff), bar
lines, double barline, measures, 4/4, 3/4 and
2/4 time signatures.
Identify elements of good posture, including
vertical body alignment, equal distribution of
weight, elevation of ribs.
Identify appropriate breathing techniques.
Identify whole, half, and quarter notes and
the corresponding rests, as well as eighth
notes.
Identify flats, sharps and naturals.
Define interval.
Sing a previously learned 16-measure simple melody in
an appropriate range with or without accompaniment
incorporating the following:
 Execute correct singing posture including vertical
body alignment, equal distribution of weight, and
elevation of ribs.
 Execute the melody using appropriate breathing
techniques.
Critique the posture and breathing techniques of
ensemble members or self.
Perform rhythmic examples including whole, half, and
quarter notes and the corresponding rests as well as
paired eighth notes in 2/4, 3/4 or 4/4 time signatures.
Notate missing note values that will complete measures
correctly in 2/3, 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures.
Create an 8-measure melody in 4/4 time using the pitches
of a major scale in stepwise motion.
Knowledge
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Musical Response
Skills
Given recorded listening examples…
Define unison and part singing.
 Aurally distinguish between unison singing and
Define entrance and cutoff.
part singing.
Identify and define piano, mezzo piano,
 Aurally differentiate between forte, piano,
mezzo forte, forte, crescendo and
crescendo, and decrescendo.
decrescendo.
 Evaluate choral performances based on tone,
Recognize symbols for the above dynamic
blend, balance, diction, & musical expression.
markings.
Describe the principles of good ensemble
singing including balance, blend, diction, and When performing a given two-part choral piece, the
student will . . .
tone quality.
 Sing the appropriate voice part with correct pitch
and rhythm.
 Execute staccato and legato articulation as
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indicated by a conductor’s gesture.
Execute crescendo and decrescendo as indicated
by a conductor’s gesture.
Execute conducting patterns for 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 time
signatures.
Knowledge
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Contextual Relevancy
Skills
Identify voice parts such as part I, part II,
part III, soprano, alto, and baritone.
Identify wellness issues affecting the voice.
Explain proper concert etiquette for audience
members and performers.
Explain the purpose of copyright laws.
Identify genres of American music.
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Apply mathematical principles to rhythmic
duration.
Aurally identify the original American genres of
jazz, country, Broadway, R&B, rock.