Catholic Connections

Singing 

Instruments 

Improvising 

Composing & Arranging 

Reading & Notating Music 

Listening to, Analyzing, & Describing Music 

Evaluating Music & Performances

Understanding the Interdisciplinary Nature of Music 

Understanding the Connections Between Music, History, & Culture 

Sing in tune and in rhythm with appropriate timbre, diction, tempo, dynamics, phrasing, and interpretation as cantor, choir member, or participant in a worship assembly 

Sing expressively from memory a varied repertoire of songs for worship (i.e., refrains to familiar traditional hymns, contemporary songs, spirituals) 

Sing religious partner songs and rounds appropriate for worship

perform expressively age-appropriate rhythmic, melodic, and chordal patterns to a varied repertoire of songs for worship

perform worship music in groups, blending instrumental timbres, matching dynamic levels, and responding to the cues of a conductor

perform independent instrumental parts while other students sing or play contrasting parts of a song for worship 

 improvise age-appropriate rhythmic and melodic ostinato accompaniments to familiar religious repertoire

improvise short songs or familiar refrains to traditional or contemporary worship music using a variety of available sound sources 

 create and arrange music to accompany readings or dramatizations using scriptural or religious texts (within guidelines of liturgical documents)

create and arrange short songs, instrumental pieces, and common liturgical responses for worship 

 read standard note value and meters using music for worship as part of the curriculum

use a system to read simple melodies used for worship

identify symbols and traditional terms referring to dynamics, tempo, and articulation and interpret them correctly using music for worship

use standard symbols to notate meter, rhythm, pitch, and dynamics in simple melodies for worship 

identify simple music forms of repertoire used for worship

listen to and describe aural examples of music for worship of various styles and cultures

identify the sounds of a variety of instruments and voices that sing/play music for worship

respond through movement while listening to music for worship 

devise criteria for evaluating sacred music performed during worship

describe their personal preferences for specific music and styles appropriate for worship

identify the common elements of art, architecture, music, and environment for worship

use the disciplines of dance, dramatization, and visual art to enhance the worship experience

identify by genre or style aural examples of sacred music from various historical periods of the Catholic Church

demonstrate an awareness of the application of text and musical content of sacred music to experiences in their everyday life

identify and describe roles of the pastoral musicians in a worship service 

identify ways in which music is essential to the rites and rituals of the Catholic Church