YourStateStandards

New Hampshire K–6 music standards

New Hampshire writes its own music standards. They are published as NH K-12 Curriculum Framework for the Arts (2001), adopted 2001 and are not a version of a national framework. 45 of 77 are matched to a national standard.

Framework
NH K-12 Curriculum Framework for the Arts (2001)
Adopted
2001
Source last checked
July 25, 2026
Read the official document

77 standards, kindergarten through 6th grade

  • MU.1.G4.aK-4
    sing independently, on pitch and in rhythm, with appropriate timbre, diction, and posture, and maintain a steady tempo
  • MU.1.G4.bK-4
    sing expressively, with appropriate dynamics, phrasing, and interpretation
  • MU.1.G4.cK-4
    sing from memory a varied repertoire of songs representing genres and styles from diverse cultures
  • MU.1.G4.dK-4
    sing ostinatos, partner songs, and rounds
  • MU.1.G4.eK-4
    sing in groups, blending vocal timbres, matching dynamic levels, and responding to the cues of a conductor.
  • MU.2.G4.aK-4
    perform on pitch, in rhythm, with appropriate dynamics and timbre, and maintain a steady tempo
  • MU.2.G4.bK-4
    perform easy rhythmic, melodic, and chordal patterns accurately and independently on rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic classroom instruments
  • MU.2.G4.cK-4
    perform expressively a varied repertoire of music representing diverse genres and styles
  • MU.2.G4.dK-4
    echo short rhythms and melodic patterns
  • MU.2.G4.eK-4
    perform in groups, blending instrumental timbres, matching dynamic levels, and responding to the cues of a conductor
  • MU.2.G4.fK-4
    perform independent instrumental parts while other students sing or play contrasting parts.
  • MU.3.G4.aK-4
    improvise “answers” in the same style to given rhythmic and melodic phrases
  • MU.3.G4.bK-4
    improvise simple rhythmic and melodic ostinato accompaniments
  • MU.3.G4.cK-4
    improvise simple rhythmic variations and simple melodic embellishments on familiar melodies
  • MU.3.G4.dK-4
    improvise short songs and instrumental pieces, using a variety of sound sources, including traditional sounds, nontraditional sounds available in the classroom, body sounds, and sounds produced by electronic means.
  • MU.4.G4.aK-4
    create and arrange music to accompany readings or dramatizations
  • MU.4.G4.bK-4
    create and arrange short songs and instrumental pieces within specified guidelines
  • MU.4.G4.cK-4
    use a variety of sound sources when composing.
  • MU.5.G4.aK-4
    read whole, half, dotted half, quarter, and eighth notes and rests in 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4 meter signatures
  • MU.5.G4.bK-4
    use a system (that is, syllables, numbers, or letters) to read simple pitch notation in the treble clef in major keys
  • MU.5.G4.cK-4
    identify symbols and traditional terms referring to dynamics, tempo, and articulation and interpret them correctly when performing
  • MU.5.G4.dK-4
    use standard symbols to notate meter, rhythm, pitch, and dynamics in simple patterns presented by the teacher.
  • MU.6.G4.aK-4
    identify simple music forms when presented aurally
  • MU.6.G4.bK-4
    demonstrate perceptual skills by moving to, inquiring about, and describing aural examples of music from various styles representing diverse cultures
  • MU.6.G4.cK-4
    use appropriate terminology in explaining music, music notation, music instruments and voices, and music performances
  • MU.6.G4.dK-4
    identify the sounds of different instruments, including many orchestra and band instruments, and instruments from various cultures, as well as children’s voices and male and female adult voices
  • MU.6.G4.eK-4
    respond through purposeful movement to selected prominent features in a piece of music.
  • MU.7.G4.aK-4
    devise criteria for evaluating performances and compositions
  • MU.7.G4.bK-4
    explain, using appropriate music terminology, personal preferences for specific musical works and styles.
  • MU.8.G4.aK-4
    identify similarities and differences in the meanings of common terms used in the various arts
  • MU.8.G4.bK-4
    identify ways in which the principles and subject matter of other disciplines are related to those of music.
  • MU.9.G4.aK-4
    identify by genre or style aural examples of music from various historical periods and cultures
  • MU.9.G4.bK-4
    describe in simple terms how elements of music are used in various world cultures
  • MU.9.G4.cK-4
    identify many uses of music in their daily experiences and describe characteristics that make certain music suitable for each use
  • MU.9.G4.dK-4
    identify and describe the roles of musicians in music settings and cultures
  • MU.9.G4.eK-4
    demonstrate audience behavior appropriate for the context and style of music performed
  • MU.9.G4.fK-4
    describe the way music has been a continuous part of the history of human culture.
  • MU.10.G4.aK-4
    identify occupations in which people sing or play musical instruments
  • MU.10.G4.bK-4
    identify local resources where people can take part in singing
  • MU.10.G4.cK-4
    identify professions where skills of arranging and composing music are used
  • MU.10.G4.dK-4
    recognize that people evaluate music and music performances.
  • MU.1.G8.a5-6
    sing accurately and with good breath control throughout their singing ranges, alone and in small and large ensembles
  • MU.1.G8.b5-6
    sing with expression and technical accuracy a repertoire of vocal literature with a difficulty level of 2 on a scale of 1 to 6, including some songs performed from memory
  • MU.1.G8.c5-6
    sing music representing diverse genres and cultures, with expression appropriate for the work being performed
  • MU.1.G8.d5-6
    sing music written in two and three parts.
  • MU.1.G8.e5-6
    sing with expression and technical accuracy a varied repertoire of vocal literature with a difficulty level of 3 on a scale of 1 to 6, including some songs from memory.
  • MU.2.G8.a5-6
    perform on at least one instrument accurately and independently, alone and in small and large ensembles, with good posture, playing position, and good breath, bow, or stick control
  • MU.2.G8.b5-6
    perform, with expression and technical accuracy on at least one string, wind, percussion, or classroom instrument, a repertoire of instrumental literature with a difficulty level of 2 on a scale of 1 to 6
  • MU.2.G8.c5-6
    perform music representing diverse genres and cultures, with expression appropriate for the work being performed
  • MU.2.G8.d5-6
    play by ear simple melodies on a melodic instrument and simple accompaniments on a harmonic instrument.
  • MU.2.G8.e5-6
    perform with expression and technical accuracy a varied repertoire of instrumental literature with a difficulty level of 3 on a scale of 1 to 6, including some solos performed from memory.
  • MU.3.G8.a5-6
    improvise simple harmonic accompaniments
  • MU.3.G8.b5-6
    improvise melodic embellishments and simple rhythmic and melodic variations on given pentatonic melodies and melodies in major keys
  • MU.3.G8.c5-6
    improvise short melodies, unaccompanied and with given rhythmic accompaniments, each in a consistent style, meter, and tonality.
  • MU.4.G8.a5-6
    compose short pieces within specified guidelines, demonstrating how the elements of music are used to achieve unity and variety, tension and release, and balance
  • MU.4.G8.b5-6
    arrange simple pieces for voices or instruments other than those for which the pieces were written
  • MU.4.G8.c5-6
    use traditional and nontraditional sound sources and electronic media when composing and arranging.
  • MU.5.G8.a5-6
    read whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth, and dotted notes and rests in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, 3/8 and alla breve meter signatures
  • MU.5.G8.b5-6
    read at sight simple melodies in both the treble and bass clefs
  • MU.5.G8.c5-6
    identify and define standard notation symbols for pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, articulation, and expression
  • MU.5.G8.d5-6
    use standard notation to record their musical ideas and the musical ideas of others
  • MU.5.G8.e5-6
    (for choral/instrumental students) sight-read accurately and expressively, music with a difficulty level of 2 on a scale of 1 to 6.
  • MU.6.G8.a5-6
    describe specific music events in a given aural example, using appropriate terminology
  • MU.6.G8.b5-6
    analyze how elements of music are expressed in diverse genres and cultures
  • MU.6.G8.c5-6
    demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of meter, rhythm, tonality, intervals, chords, and harmonic progressions in their analyses of music.
  • MU.7.G8.a5-6
    develop criteria for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of music performances and compositions and apply the criteria in their own personal listening and performing
  • MU.7.G8.b5-6
    evaluate the quality and effectiveness of their own and others’ performances, compositions, arrangements, and improvisations by applying specific criteria appropriate for the style of the music.
  • MU.8.G8.a5-6
    compare in two or more arts how the characteristic features of each art discipline can be used to transform similar events, scenes, emotions, or ideas into works of art
  • MU.8.G8.b5-6
    describe ways in which the principles and subject matter of other disciplines are related to those of music.
  • MU.9.G8.a5-6
    describe distinguishing characteristics of representative music genres and styles from different cultures
  • MU.9.G8.b5-6
    classify by genre, style, historical period, composer, or title bodies of exemplary musical works and explain the characteristics that cause each work to be considered exemplary
  • MU.9.G8.c5-6
    compare the role of musicians, the function music serves and conditions under which music is typically performed, in several cultures of the world.
  • MU.10.G8.a5-6
    recognize that improvisation and accompaniment are creative skills that are needed in certain music careers
  • MU.10.G8.b5-6
    identify professions where skills of arranging, composing and conducting music are used
  • MU.10.G8.c5-6
    identify local, national, or international individuals who are composers/arrangers of music
  • MU.10.G8.d5-6
    identify occupations that require people to evaluate music and music performances
  • MU.10.G8.e5-6
    recognize that music-related careers exist in musical production and direction.

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