Music and Bugling Merit Badge Pamphlet Music Merit Badge

Music


These were the requirements before the revisions made in 2012

To see the changes made at that time, Click here.

To see the CURRENT requirements, Click here.

For the previous (2010) requirements, Click here

For the previous(2004) requirements, Click here


A revised merit badge pamphlet which merged Bugling into Music, and with revised requirements, was released in early 2010.
The revised requirements weren’t to become official until the 2011 Boy Scout Requirements book was released in January 2011.
However, in August 2010, BSA reversed their decision to discontinue Bugling as a separate Merit Badge.
A replacement pamphlet, retaining both badges was released to replace it.

The 2011 Boy Scout Requirements book included the previous 2004 requirements, with none of the changes that were in the Music pamphlet released in 2010.

When the replacement pamphlet, shown above, was released in 2011, it contained some, but not all, of the changes which had been proposed in 2010. 


  1. Sing or play a simple song or hymn chosen by your counselor using good technique, phrasing, tone, rhythm, and dynamics.. Read all the signs and terms of the score.
  2. Name the five general groups of musical instruments. Create an illustration that shows how tones are generated and how instruments produce sound.
  3. Do TWO of the following:
    1. Attend a live performance, or listen to three hours of recordings from any two of the following musical styles: blues, jazz, classical, country, bluegrass, ethnic, gospel, musical theater, opera. Describe the sound of the music and the instruments used. Identify the composers or songwriters, the performers, and the titles of the pieces you heard. If it was a live performance, describe the setting and the reaction of the audience. Discuss your thoughts about the music.
    2. Interview an adult member of your family about music. Find out what the most popular music was when he or she was your age. Find out what his or her favorite music is now, and listen to three favorite tunes with him or her. How do those favorites sound to you? Had you ever heard any of them? Play three of your favorite songs for your relative, and explain why you like these songs. Ask what he or she thinks of your favorite music.
    3. Serve for six months as a member of a school band, choir, or other local musical group; or perform as a soloist in public six times.
    4. List five people who are important in the history of American music and explain to your counselor why they continue to be influential. Include at least one composer, one performer, one innovator, and one person born more than 100 years ago.
  4. Do ONE of the following:
    1. Teach three songs to a group of people. Lead them in singing the songs, using proper hand motions.
    2. Compose and write the score for a piece of music of 12 measures or more.
    3. Make a traditional instrument and learn to play it.
    4. Catalog your own or your family's collection of 12 or more compact discs, tapes, or records. Show how to handle and store them.

BSA Advancement ID#: 77
Requirements last updated in: 2011
Pamphlet Stock Number: 35921
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2003 - 2011 printing

Worksheets for use in working on these requirements: Prepared by
Craig Lincoln
Format
Word Format PDF Format

Blanks in this worksheets table appear when we do not have a worksheet for the badge that includes these requirements.


Page updated on: May 08, 2022



Scouts Using the Internet Cartoon - Courtesy of Richard Diesslin - Click to See More Cartoons
© 1994-2024 - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Site Map | Disclaimer | Project Team | Contact Us | Privacy Policy

Materials found at U. S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. Websites may be reproduced and used locally by Scouting volunteers for training purposes consistent with the programs of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) or other Scouting and Guiding Organizations. No material found here may be used or reproduced for electronic redistribution or for commercial or other non-Scouting purposes without the express permission of the U. S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. (USSSP) or other copyright holders. USSSP is not affiliated with BSA or WOSM and does not speak on behalf of BSA or WOSM. Opinions expressed on these web pages are those of the web authors. You can support this website with in two ways: Visit Our Trading Post at www.ScoutingBooks.com or make a donation by clicking the button below.
(U.S. Scouting Service Project Donation)


(Ruth Lyons Memorial Donations)