Date

10-14-2026

Department

School of Music

Degree

Master of Arts in Music Education (MA)

Chair

Michelle Swanson

Keywords

music education, inclusion, chorus, choral, adaptive, methods, Dalcroze, Orff, middle school, ensemble

Disciplines

Music | Special Education and Teaching

Abstract

This curriculum is an eighteen week block plan for sixth-grade inclusive chorus. Emphasizing adaptive activities and specific strategies for students with disabilities, this curriculum can be used with any middle school repertoire concert plan. Through visual aids and color coding, students with disabilities can participate effectively in the performance of melodic contour, rhythm, and repertoire. This curriculum is for a sixth-grade chorus that is preparing for a concert, in which students rehearse two to three times weekly. Drawing from the Orff approach and Dalcroze techniques, this curriculum has adaptions to activities in which students can demonstrate their understanding of musical concepts through physical, traditional, visual, instrumental, or AAC pathways. Potential limitations of this curriculum are the lack of prescribed concert repertoire, lack of school resources for Orff instruments, extended preparation and outside of contract time from music teachers, lack of teacher aid assistance in rehearsal, and assumptions about concert requirements. However, the potential significance of this curriculum to the music education field is the increased inclusion of students with disabilities through the provision of curriculum. The contribution of curriculum to the field of music education where it is lacking will create opportunities for students with disabilities to participate in music education. Future research on the effectiveness of this curriculum, current inclusion techniques, and teacher perspectives on this curriculum would verify this curriculum and add to the literature and resources available for inclusive choral ensembles.

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