Curriculum Framework
The following arts education framework was developed to illuminate and standardize the work that has been happening at the organization for 75 years. This work has manifested in thousands of hours of private music instruction and a growing numbers of group instruction classes and tuition-free ensembles. The framework was created to be a unifying approach to arts instruction across group classes and ensembles.
MUSIC
ART
DANCE
DRAMA
Music Education Framework Understandings
GROW
Anchor Standard 1: Develop vocal and/or instrumental skills, including reading and notating music
Anchor Standard 2: Understand the musician's role in an ensemble and as a soloist
The discipline, practice, and patience required to master an art form is key to the development of a whole person.
Through singing or playing an instrument alone or in an ensemble, musicians learn to adjust their behavior to match their environment
CREATE
Anchor Standard 3: Conceptualize and develop original work based on personal experience and existing knowledge
Anchor Standard 4: Compose, arrange, and improvise music
Creating original work develops an artist’s voice and is key to practicing personal expression and self-efficacy.
By utilizing appropriate techniques when creating original work, students demonstrate understanding of the elements of an art form.
PRESENT
Anchor Standard 5: Analyze, interpret, reherase, and refine artistic work for a performance
Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through performance of ensemble music
Performing or presenting music builds confidence, trust in an ensemble, and an understanding of the role of artist and audience.
The ability to convey meaning through music is one of the qualities that makes us human.
RESPOND
Anchor Standard 7: Perceive, describe, analyze, and criticize music
Anchor Standard 8: Interpret meaning and intend in music
Educated artists learn to describe, analyze and criticize works of art, which often informs their personal artistic development.
Interpreting meaning in music develops an emotional and intellectual maturity in the viewer and enhances their experience.
CONNECT
Anchor Standard 9: Relate works of art with their diverse societal, historical, and cultural context
Anchor Standard 10: Recognize future career applications and professional possibilities
Music has played and continues to play an important role in the cultural and social development of humankind.
The capacities that musicians develop are intrinsically valuable and applicable to diverse career paths both in and out of the arts.
Visual Art Education Framework Understandings
GROW
Anchor Standard 1: Develop skills, processes, tools, and vocabulary for visual arts.
Anchor Standard 2: Comprehend the elements of art and principles of design.
The discipline, practice, and patience required to master an art form is key to the development of a whole person.
A deep understanding of the basic elements of visual art is essential to building a balanced practice.
CREATE
Anchor Standard 3: Conceptualize and develop original work based on personal experience and existing knowledge.
Anchor Standard 4: Create and refine original work using appropriate technique.
Creating original work develops an artist’s voice and is key to practicing personal expression and self-efficacy.
By utilizing appropriate techniques when creating original work, students demonstrate understanding of the elements of an art form.
PRESENT
Anchor Standard 5: Refine work for a presentation.
Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through presentation of artistic work.
Presenting art builds confidence, trust in an ensemble, and an understanding of the role of artist and audience.
The ability to convey meaning through visual art is one of the qualities that makes us human.
RESPOND
Anchor Standard 7: Perceive, describe, analyze, and criticize visual art.
Anchor Standard 8: Interpret meaning and intent in visual art.
Educated artists learn to describe, analyze and criticize works of art, which often informs their personal artistic development.
Interpreting meaning in art develops an emotional and intellectual maturity in the viewer and enhances their experience.
CONNECT
Anchor Standard 9: Relate works of art with their diverse societal, historical, and cultural context.
Anchor Standard 10: Recognize future career applications and professional possibilities.
Art has played and continues to play an important role in the cultural and social development of humankind.
The capacities that artists develop are intrinsically valuable and applicable to diverse career paths both in and out of the arts.
Dance Education Framework Understandings
GROW
Anchor Standard 1: Develop technical expertise, motor skills, and dance vocabulary.
Anchor Standard 2: Understand and demonstrate the elements of dance.
The discipline, practice, and patience required to master an art form is key to the development of a whole person.
A deep understanding of the basic elements of dance is essential to building a balanced practice.
CREATE
Anchor Standard 3: Conceptualize and develop original work based on personal experience and existing knowledge.
Anchor Standard 4: Apply choreographic principals & processes to create & improvise dance.
Creating original work develops an artist’s voice and is key to practicing personal expression and self-efficacy.
By utilizing appropriate dance techniques when creating original work, students demonstrate understanding of the elements of an art form.
PRESENT
Anchor Standard 5: Practice performance skills.
Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through ensemble performance
Performing or presenting dance builds confidence, trust in an ensemble, and an understanding of the role of artist and audience.
The ability to convey meaning through movement is one of the qualities that makes us human.
RESPOND
Anchor Standard 7: Perceive, describe, analyze, and criticize dance.
Anchor Standard 8: Interpret meaning and intent in dance.
Educated artists learn to describe, analyze and criticize works of art, which often informs their personal artistic development.
Interpreting meaning in art develops an emotional and intellectual maturity in the viewer and enhances their experience.
CONNECT
Anchor Standard 9: Relate works of art with their diverse societal, historical, and cultural context.
Anchor Standard 10: Recognize future career applications and professional possibilities.
Dance has played and continues to play an important role in the cultural and social development of humankind.
The capacities that dancers and choreographers develop are intrinsically valuable and applicable to diverse career paths both in and out of the arts.
Drama Education Framework Understandings
GROW
Anchor Standard 1: Develop theatrical skills, processes, tools, and vocabulary.
Anchor Standard 2: Engage with theatrical elements (stagecraft, directing, management).
The discipline, practice, and patience required to master an art form is key to the development of a whole person.
A well rounded theatre artist has experience working onstage and in stagecraft.
CREATE
Anchor Standard 3: Conceptualize and develop original written work based on personal experience and existing knowledge.
Anchor Standard 4: Create and refine original work using appropriate technique.
Creating original work develops an artist’s voice and is key to practicing personal expression and self-efficacy.
By utilizing appropriate techniques when creating original work, students demonstrate understanding of the elements of an art form.
PRESENT
Anchor Standard 5: Analyze, interpret, rehearse and refine artistic work for a performance.
Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through individual and ensemble performance.
Performing or presenting dramatic work builds confidence, trust in an ensemble, and an understanding of the role of artist and audience.
The ability to convey meaning through visual art is one of the qualities that makes us human.
RESPOND
Anchor Standard 7: Perceive, describe, analyze, and criticize theatre.
Anchor Standard 8: Interpret meaning and intent in theatre.
Educated artists learn to describe, analyze and criticize works of art, which often informs their personal artistic development.
Interpreting meaning in art develops an emotional and intellectual maturity in the viewer and enhances their experience.
CONNECT
Anchor Standard 9: Relate works of art with their diverse societal, historical, and cultural context.
Anchor Standard 10: Recognize future career applications and professional possibilities.
Storytelling has played and continues to play an important role in the cultural and social development of humankind.
The capacities that artists develop are intrinsically valuable and applicable to diverse career paths both in and out of the arts.