Course Description
One of the many benefits of this course is that it enables students to explore musical practices founded on oral traditions and improvisation, in addition to the more familiar notation based conventions of Western Art Music. The musical investigation encourages musicians to look beyond the familiar, and the performance element enables classical musicians to work alongside pop, rock and world musicians.
The Music course focuses on developing techniques that cultivate students' skills in performance (solo or ensemble), composition and analysis. Students will have the opportunity to investigate and experience a wide variety of genres and styles both familiar and unfamiliar whilst carrying out an independent investigation of a chosen topic.
The course aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop as composers and performers in whatever style or genre they wish and to broaden students' theoretical knowledge and understanding of practices both in familiar Western musical cultures and beyond.
Course content (Standard Level)
• Musical Perception - 5 questions on musical perception
• Musical Investigation - a written media script of no more than 2,000 words investigating the intrinsic links between 2 or more pieces from distinct musical cultures
• Creating - 2 compositions with recordings and written commentaries
• Solo (15 mins) or Group Performance (20-30 minutes)
Course content (Higher Level)
• Musical Perception - 7 questions on musical perception
• Musical Investigation - a written media script of no more than 2,000 words investigating the intrinsic links between 2 or more pieces from distinct musical cultures
• Creating - 3 compositions with recordings and written commentaries
• Solo performance (20 minutes)
(The course is due to be rewritten by the exam board for Sept 2009, until the new specification is published we are unable to provide more specific information)
Assessment:
External assessment: (50%)
Students will sit a Listening Paper and submit their Musical Investigation for external assessment.
Internal assessment: (50%)
Students will be assessed on their Performance and Composition work.
International Baccalaureate Home
Updated March 2009