Assessment Design and
Framework

Field 032: Music

The assessment design below describes general assessment information. The framework that follows is a detailed outline that explains the knowledge and skills that this assessment measures.

Assessment Design

Format Computer-based test (CBT)
Number of Questions 150 multiple-choice questions
Time* 180 minutes
Passing Score 220

*Does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial

Framework

Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.

Domain Range of Competencies Approximate Percentage of Subtest Score
I Aural Analysis Skills 0001–0003 23%
II Music Theory and Composition 0004–0006 23%
III Music History and Culture 0007–0009 23%
IV Music Methodology and Performance 0010–0013 31%
Domain I–Aural Analysis Skills

0001 Understand elements of music presented in recorded examples.

Includes:

  1. Analyze melodic characteristics presented in a recorded example, including scales, tonality, intervals, phrase structures, embellishments, and contour.
  2. Analyze harmonic characteristics presented in a recorded example, including intervals, chord types, harmonic progressions, cadences, and nonchord tones.
  3. Analyze the elements of rhythm, meter, and tempo presented in a recorded example.
  4. Analyze the elements of form and texture presented in a recorded example.

0002 Understand characteristics of Western, U.S., and world music presented in recorded examples.

Includes:

  1. Analyze characteristics of Western music from the Middle Ages to 1750.
  2. Analyze characteristics of Western music from 1750 to the present.
  3. Recognize characteristics, instrumentation, genres, and styles of traditional music from a variety of cultures within the United States and around the world.

0003 Understand elements of a musical performance presented in recorded examples.

Includes:

  1. Identify voice types and various types of choral and small vocal ensembles.
  2. Identify band and orchestral instruments and various types of instrumental ensembles.
  3. Analyze expressive elements in a musical performance, including dynamics, articulation, tempo changes, and stylistic devices.
  4. Recognize performance errors, including errors related to pitch, rhythm, dynamics, articulation, phrasing, intonation, ensemble precision, and balance.
Domain II–Music Theory and Composition

0004 Understand musical notation.

Includes:

  1. Identify key signatures and pitches using a given clef.
  2. Define musical symbols and terms, including tempo markings, articulation symbols, dynamic indications, and expression markings.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of note values, rest values, and time signatures.

0005 Understand melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic elements.

Includes:

  1. Identify scales, tonality, and melodic intervals.
  2. Analyze melodic characteristics, including phrase structures, contours, and other melodic devices.
  3. Analyze rhythmic characteristics, including meter, patterns, and other rhythmic devices.
  4. Identify harmonic intervals, chord types, and chord inversions.
  5. Analyze cadences, harmonic progressions, and nonchord tones.

0006 Understand musical composition, arrangement, and improvisation.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of musical styles, forms, textures, and compositional techniques.
  2. Analyze musical examples in terms of musical styles, forms, textures, and compositional techniques.
  3. Apply knowledge of common practice harmonization using appropriate voice leading and chord selection.
  4. Apply knowledge of arranging for various instruments, voices, and ensembles.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of improvisational techniques.
Domain III–Music History and Culture

0007 Understand the history of Western music from the Middle Ages to 1750.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of styles, genres, performance practices, and other musical characteristics of music from the Middle Ages to 1750.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of major composers and major works from the Middle Ages to 1750.
  3. Compare music from different stylistic periods.
  4. Analyze ways in which music reflects cultural factors, historical developments, technological changes, and aesthetic values.

0008 Understand the history of Western music from 1750 to the present.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of styles, genres, performance practices, and other musical characteristics of music from 1750 to the present.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of major composers and major works from 1750 to the present.
  3. Compare music from different stylistic periods.
  4. Analyze ways in which music reflects cultural factors, historical developments, technological changes, and aesthetic values.

0009 Understand U.S. and world music.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of styles, genres, performance practices, and other musical characteristics of music from the United States.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of major composers, musicians, and works of music from the United States.
  3. Identify types and characteristics of traditional music from a variety of cultures within the United States and around the world and instruments associated with various musical traditions.
  4. Analyze ways in which music from the United States reflects the country's cultural factors, historical developments, technological changes, and aesthetic values and ways in which musical styles from around the world have influenced the development of music in the United States.
Domain IV–Music Methodology and Performance

0010 Understand principles of music methodology.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate basic knowledge of various approaches to music instruction.
  2. Sequence music activities for a given situation.
  3. Apply knowledge of techniques for playing classroom instruments.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of various technologies for listening to, studying, and creating music.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of assessment tools for evaluating music skills and performances.
  6. Apply knowledge of strategies for ensuring access, accommodation, adaptation, and equity in relation to the school music program.
  7. Demonstrate knowledge of interdisciplinary connections between music, the related arts, and other content areas.

0011 Understand vocal and choral performance techniques.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of vocal ranges and classifications, stages of vocal maturation, and various types and characteristics of vocal and choral ensembles.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of basic techniques for developing singing skills and vocal health.
  3. Apply knowledge of techniques for addressing typical problems encountered in vocal and choral performance.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of sight-singing approaches.

0012 Understand instrumental performance techniques.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of types and characteristics of string, wind, percussion, and keyboard instruments, and types and characteristics of bands, orchestras, and other instrumental ensembles.
  2. Apply knowledge of basic techniques for playing string, wind, percussion, and keyboard instruments and basic procedures related to instrument maintenance.
  3. Apply knowledge of techniques for addressing typical problems encountered in playing string, wind, percussion, and keyboard instruments.

0013 Understand conducting techniques, score reading, and repertoire.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic conducting patterns, techniques for communicating expression markings, and cuing techniques.
  2. Analyze score excerpts in terms of potential performance issues.
  3. Select appropriate repertoire for various vocal, choral, and instrumental ensembles, including general music classes.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of copyright laws related to music education.