Career Pathways standards
Tennessee Standards Annex
Music Industry Career Pathways
By Mike Lawson
artistproMedia
Verification date: October 7, 2026
Intended grade band: 9-12. Students age 13 enrolled below grade 9 use the national map and locally selected middle-school standards unless the district authorizes high-school placement.
Standards status
Music Industry Career Pathways is built to the Tennessee standards identified in this annex. The map connects taught work and assessed evidence to current standards published by the Tennessee Department of Education and Tennessee State Board of Education.
Controlling Tennessee sources
- Tennessee Fine Arts standards landing page. The department identifies music as part of fine arts, uses the Perform, Create, Respond, and Connect domains, and links the current standards.
- Tennessee Academic Standards for Fine Arts, Tennessee Department of Education, Summer 2018. This annex uses the General Music 9-12 standards.
- Work-Based Learning: Career Practicum course standards, Tennessee Department of Education, August 2024.
- Tennessee English Language Arts standards, Tennessee State Board of Education. Use the grade 9-10 or 11-12 code according to the enrolled student.
- Digital Arts and Design I course standards, Tennessee Department of Education. These standards support design, intellectual-property, business, and portfolio work.
- Personal Finance course standards, Tennessee Department of Education. These standards support education, career, cost, and financial decisions.
Tennessee standards used
Fine Arts: General Music 9-12
- HS.GM.P1.A-B: research sound sources and repertoire using technology; apply criteria when selecting repertoire.
- HS.GM.P2.C: refine artistic work through focused listening and established criteria.
- HS.GM.P3.A-D: present work using varied sound sources, apply expressive elements, defend artistic choices with music vocabulary, and demonstrate performance and audience etiquette.
- HS.GM.Cr1.A: describe, demonstrate, and document short musical ideas connected to experience, imagery, or story.
- HS.GM.Cr2.A-B: assemble and organize sounds or musical ideas; develop them into work with structure and expression.
- HS.GM.Cr3.A-C: evaluate drafts, explain revisions, use technology to enhance work, and present and defend the completed work.
- HS.GM.R1.A-B: identify and describe musical elements; compare music across periods, styles, and cultures.
- HS.GM.R2.A-B: interpret intent using evidence and examine music in historical and cultural context, including Tennessee music.
- HS.GM.R3.A-B: apply criteria to evaluate work and justify preferences with terminology, context, and research.
- HS.GM.Cn1.A: connect personal interests, knowledge, and skills to musical work.
English Language Arts 9-12
- 9-10.RI.KID.1 / 11-12.RI.KID.1: cite strong and thorough textual evidence and draw supported inferences.
- 9-10.W.RBPK.7 / 11-12.W.RBPK.7: conduct short and sustained research to answer a question or solve a problem.
- 9-10.W.RBPK.8 / 11-12.W.RBPK.8: use authoritative sources, integrate information, and cite accurately.
- 9-10.SL.CC.1 / 11-12.SL.CC.1: participate effectively in collaborative discussions.
- 9-10.SL.PKI.4 / 11-12.SL.PKI.4: present claims, findings, reasoning, and evidence clearly for the audience and purpose.
Work-Based Learning: Career Practicum
- 1.1-1.4: recognize workplace hazards, follow safety practices, respond to emergencies, and document safety learning.
- 2.1-2.4: investigate career options, describe required preparation, evaluate fit, and create professional-growth goals.
- 3.1-3.6: maintain a personalized learning plan, communicate with stakeholders, demonstrate technical skills, communicate at work, interpret technical texts, and apply mathematics.
- 4.1-4.3: assemble portfolio evidence, explain growth, and complete self-assessment.
- 5.1-5.2: use creativity and audience insight to improve a product, service, process, or communication.
- 6.1-6.4: ask productive questions, reason from evidence, analyze systems, and map logic or decisions.
- 7.1-7.3: write, speak, listen, and respond for workplace purposes.
- 8.1-8.4: work on teams, address conflict, practice leadership, and participate in productive meetings.
Digital Arts and Design I
- 10.1-10.2: use a design process and critique to develop and refine projects.
- 11.1: apply intellectual-property, copyright, and ethical-use principles.
- 12.1-12.2: examine profit and the function of contracts in creative business.
- 13.1-13.2: identify portfolio requirements and maintain a digital portfolio.
Personal Finance
- 1-2: connect personal finance to planning and set short-, intermediate-, and long-term financial goals.
- 3: connect aptitudes, strengths, and interests to career choices.
- 4: compare education or training cost, positions, salaries, benefits, earnings, and relocation through a cost-benefit analysis.
- 5: evaluate postsecondary funding sources, including FAFSA, scholarships, grants, and work-study.
Level 1: Career Discovery
| Unit | Tennessee standards | Assessed evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Stage Around the Stage | 9-10.RI.KID.1; 9-10.W.RBPK.7-8; WBL 2.1-2.4, 3.5 | sourced 30-role ecosystem map and source check |
| 2. Know Your Working Self | HS.GM.Cn1.A; WBL 2.2-2.4, 3.1, 4.2-4.3; Personal Finance 2-4 | energy log, preference profile, skill stories, first pathway hypothesis |
| 3. Perform and Produce Live Music | HS.GM.P1.A-B, P2.C, P3.A-D, R3.A-B; WBL 1.1-1.4, 3.3-3.6, 7.1-7.3, 8.1-8.4 | performance record, stage plot, input list, run of show, safe tour-day plan |
| 4. Write, Record, and Place Music | HS.GM.Cr1.A, Cr2.A-B, Cr3.A-C, R2.A, R3.A-B; DAD 10.1-10.2, 11.1 | brief response, recorded delivery, revision log, cue sheet, artistic defense |
| 5. Publish, Protect, and Grow Music | HS.GM.R2.B, R3.A-B; 9-10.RI.KID.1; 9-10.W.RBPK.7-8; DAD 11.1, 12.2, 13.2 | sourced publication, rights and metadata packet, audience plan |
| 6. Build, Sell, and Maintain Music Products | WBL 3.3-3.6, 5.1-5.2, 6.1-6.4; DAD 10.1-10.2, 12.1-12.2; Personal Finance 4 | product brief, lifecycle map, service intake, route and cost comparison |
| 7. Teach, Serve, and Build Music Technology | HS.GM.Cn1.A; WBL 3.3-3.6, 5.1-5.2, 6.1-6.4, 7.1-7.3, 8.1-8.4; DAD 10.1-10.2, 13.2 | inclusive micro-lesson, tested prototype, test record, operations book |
| 8. Choose the Next Experiment | HS.GM.R3.A-B, Cn1.A; 9-10.W.RBPK.7-8; 9-10.SL.PKI.4; WBL 2.1-2.4, 3.1, 4.1-4.3; Personal Finance 2-5 | Career Passport, three-route comparison, education-cost analysis, oral defense |
Level 2: Music Industry Foundations
| Lesson block | Tennessee standards | Assessed evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 Professional practice | WBL 2.1-2.4, 3.1-3.6, 7.1-7.3, 8.1-8.4 | brief, communication record, schedule, feedback revision, documentation packet |
| 6-10 Creative foundations | HS.GM.Cr1.A, Cr2.A-B, Cr3.A-C, P1.A-B, P2.C, P3.A-D, R3.A-B | performance, arrangement, composition, split record, creative-delivery gate |
| 11-15 Audio and production | HS.GM.P2.C, P3.A-C, Cr3.A-B, R1.A, R3.A; WBL 1.1-1.4, 3.3-3.6, 5.1-5.2, 6.1-6.4 | signal flow, session package, mix revisions, live-system plan, technical review |
| 16-20 Media, rights, and release | HS.GM.R2.B, R3.A-B; 9-10.RI.KID.1; 9-10.W.RBPK.7-8; DAD 11.1, 12.2, 13.2 | sourced publication, rights maps, metadata packet, release plan and gate |
| 21-25 Products and customers | WBL 3.3-3.6, 5.1-5.2, 6.1-6.4, 7.1-7.3; DAD 10.1-10.2, 12.1 | needs research, lifecycle map, quality record, demonstration, customer case |
| 26-30 Education, technology, operations, and career decision | HS.GM.Cn1.A; WBL 2.1-8.4; DAD 10.1-10.2, 13.1-13.2; Personal Finance 2-5; 9-10.SL.PKI.4 | inclusive lesson, tested prototype, budget, risk plan, closeout, pathway defense |
Level 3: Pathway Studios
Every selected studio also assesses WBL 2.1-2.4, 3.1-3.6, 4.1-4.3, 7.1-7.3, and 8.1-8.4 through a brief, production cycle, critique, revision, practitioner contact, portfolio artifact, education comparison, and defense.
| Studios | Additional Tennessee standards | Assessed evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 Performance, composition, recording, sound for picture and sync | HS.GM.P1.A-B, P2.C, P3.A-D, Cr1.A, Cr2.A-B, Cr3.A-C, R1.A-B, R2.A-B, R3.A-B; DAD 10.1-10.2, 11.1 | prepared performance or production, original work, revisions, delivery files, credits, cue sheet and defense |
| 5-8 Live production, content, rights, labels and distribution | HS.GM.P3.D, R2.B, R3.A-B; 11-12.RI.KID.1; 11-12.W.RBPK.7-8; WBL 1.1-1.4, 5.1-6.4; DAD 11.1-13.2 | safety and production documents, researched publication, rights records, product and campaign evidence |
| 9-12 Business, product development, manufacturing, retail, rentals and e-commerce | WBL 3.3-3.6, 5.1-8.4; DAD 10.1-10.2, 12.1-12.2, 13.1-13.2; Personal Finance 1-4 | offer, forecast, prototype, quality record, supply or inventory record, customer case and portfolio |
| 13-16 Repair, education, software and independent work | HS.GM.Cn1.A; WBL 1.1-8.4; DAD 10.1-13.2; Personal Finance 1-5; 11-12.SL.PKI.4 | diagnosis and safe-work record, inclusive lesson, tested software prototype, priced offer, business experiment and defense |
Level 4: Industry Capstone and Transition
| Capstone phase | Tennessee standards | Assessed evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Lessons 1-10: define and prove readiness | WBL 1.1-3.6, 5.1-8.4; 11-12.RI.KID.1; 11-12.W.RBPK.7-8; applicable HS.GM and DAD 10.1-12.2 | needs evidence, roles, brief, standards research, schedule, budget, rights and safety plan, concept gate |
| Lessons 11-17: produce and deliver | WBL 3.3-3.6, 5.1-8.4; HS.GM.Cr2.A-B, Cr3.A-C, P2.C, P3.A-D, R3.A-B as applicable; DAD 10.1-11.1 | midpoint review, corrected scope, production evidence, acceptance record, publication and delivery gate |
| Lessons 18-20: results and closeout | HS.GM.R3.A-B, Cn1.A; WBL 4.1-4.3, 6.1-8.4; DAD 13.1-13.2 | results analysis, failure and revision record, individual case study, team closeout, portfolio update |
| Lessons 21-28: transition | 11-12.RI.KID.1; 11-12.W.RBPK.7-8; 11-12.SL.PKI.4; WBL 2.1-4.3, 7.1-8.4; Personal Finance 1-5; DAD 13.1-13.2 | verified career research, route comparison, net-price and debt analysis, portfolio, interview or pitch, verified transition action |
Assessment rule
Teachers establish proficiency through the named evidence and assessment. They retain the scored artifact, rubric or checklist, feedback, revision, and final determination in the Career Passport or school learning system.
District implementation record
| Field | Tennessee entry |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Tennessee |
| Issuing agencies | Tennessee Department of Education and Tennessee State Board of Education |
| Grade band | Primary implementation: grades 9-12 |
| Course category | Fine arts, career exploration, CTE elective, interdisciplinary elective, or locally selected combination |
| Publisher review | Mike Lawson / artistproMedia, October 7, 2026 |
| Local reviewer | To be completed by the implementing school or district |
| Course code and credit | Assigned by the implementing school or district |
| Local additions or exclusions | To be recorded before instruction |
| Annual verification | Before each school year and whenever Tennessee revises a cited framework |
District implementation checklist
- Confirm the current Tennessee source version and every code used.
- Select the local course title, code, credit type, schedule, and appropriately endorsed teacher.
- Identify which Level 3 studios will be offered and retain only their applicable pathway mappings.
- Review facilities, equipment, accessibility, safeguarding, transportation, and worksite agreements.
- Define which artifacts will be retained, who scores them, and what demonstrates proficiency.
- Add any district curriculum, employability, technology, or work-based-learning requirements.
- Record reviewer names, implementation date, responsible district office, and next standards-review date.