Alberta Programs of Studies for Music

Maegan Bishop
Program Rationale and Philosophy

The Alberta Curriculum Fine Arts general focus is that the student is involved as:
Performer, listener, critic, consumer, historian, creator, composer.

In music, these roles are described as follows:

o Performer: Performance is an active process involving the development and application of
musical skills, knowledge, and perceptions.
o Listener, evaluator, consumer, historian: These experiences develop and understanding of music
and musicians of the past.
o Composer: The organization of the elements of music into an intrinsically satisfying composition
generates aesthetic creativity and perception.

Development of musical skills, knowledge, perception is fundamental to the total development of the
individual and music is an important component of the total education program.

Through music, affective, cognitive, and psychomotor development interact effectively.

Music is accessible to all, and as students become sensitive to its expressive elements, they may
develop insight into human feelings.

Music transcends language barriers and reflects the lifestyles, thoughts, and aspirations of our cultural
heritage.

Elementary Music- General Learner Expectations with Sample Specific Learner Expectations
Through the elementary music program, students will develop:

enjoyment of music
o Sample SLE: Be aware of and enjoy seasonal, holiday and ethnic music.

awareness and appreciation of a variety of music, including music of the many cultures represented in
Canada
o Sample SLE: Music reflects our feelings about holidays, seasons, our country and cultural
heritage.

insights into music through meaningful musical activities

o Sample SLE: Through movement show awareness of changes in tempo, dynamics and mood.

self-expression and creativity

o Sample SLE: Students will be able to create rhythmic and melodic ostinati for poems and songs.

musical skills and knowledge

o Sample SLE: Students will be able to follow notation from left to right while singing and playing.

CONCEPTS

Rhythm, p. 4
Melody, p. 5
Harmony, p. 6
Form, p. 7
Expression, p. 8

SKILLS
Singing, p. 11
Playing Instruments, p. 12
Listening, p. 9
Moving, p. 10
Reading (and writing), p. 13-14
Creating, p. 15

ATTITUDES
Enjoyment of music
Neither trivial nor transient
Lasting delight in music
Fostered through success in skills.

Junior High Music General Learner Expectations

To develop skills in listening, performing and using notational systems.

To encourage students to strive for musical excellence, individually and as members of groups.
To enable students to understand, evaluate and appreciate a variety of music.
To provide experiences that will foster the development of self-expression, creativity and
communication through music.
To make students aware of the history of music and the implications of music in our society.

Music Programs will help students to develop competencies and to strive for excellence within the limits of their
individual capabilities, in the following areas:

GENERAL MUSIC P. 6

Singing/Playing
Listening
Creating
Valuing

CHORAL MUSIC P. 5
Singing
Reading
Listening
Creating
Valuing
Playing

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC P. 7
Playing
Listening
Reading
Creating
Valuing

Senior High Music - General Learner Expectations

Senior High Music has separate documents for General, Choral and Instrumental music. The programs are
designed to help students to develop competencies and to strive for excellence in the following
categories:

GENERAL MUSIC

Performing/Listening
Creating
Researching
Valuing

CHORAL MUSIC

Performing
Listening
Creating
Researching
Valuing

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Performing
Listening
Creating
Researching
Valuing

In addition to these categories, there is also a set of attitudes for each music focus. These include a
number of positive attitudes that are developed through success in singing, playing, reading, listening,
creating and valuing music. Some include: self acceptance, necessity of lifelong learning, sense of purpose in
life and joy in living.

Overview of Programs

Elementary Music
Junior High Music
Choral
(I, II, III)

General
(I, II, III)

Instrumental
(I, II, III)

Senior High Music

Choral
(IV, V, VI)

General
(I, II, III)

Instrumental
(IV, V, VI)