Music

Music at IBDP is both practical and academic. By weaving together performance, composition and analytical thinking in all elements of the work, the curriculum supports students to look at all the ways they can experience and interact with music. This new IBDP course is entirely coursework based and does not include a written exam. At UWCSEA East, the course has been integrated into regular events such as CultuRama, Unplugged and the Musical. There are also curriculum links to the Film department, allowing students to have a practical experience of the course that makes strong connections to the wider community. The course is inclusive of students wide ranging personal and cultural music backgrounds allowing them to embody three roles: the performer, the creator and the researcher.

IB Music - Transition Site.mp4

Course content

The course content is focused through four Areas of Inquiry (AOIs).

Music for sociocultural and political expression
Music for listening and performance
Music for dramatic impact, movement and entertainment
Music Technology in the electronic and digital age

Course outline

Grade 11

‘Experimenting with music’ projects initiated, developed and completed:
- - - This part of the course will allow students to experiment through compositional sketches and performance, related exercises and studies/etudes
Planning for ‘The contemporary music maker’ projects (HL only)
Regular time dedicated to composition and performance for the ‘Presenting music’ component’
Regular performances and presentations of composition work
Introduction to Exploring music in context:
- - - Students choose topics/musical cultures that interest them and start developing composition, performance and analytical work to explore in depth

Grade 12

Completion of ‘Exploring music in context’
Final presentations of performance and composition work
Practical projects completed and reports created for ‘The contemporary music maker’ (HL only)

Skills Developed

instrumental/vocal skills through practice, rehearsal and performance in a variety of contexts
creative skills through the study of composition
practical skills in collaborative music making, both through performing in and curating events and developing compositions in collaboration with others
aural analysis skills through the study of music from diverse cultures and traditions
skills in using recording techniques
skills with music software and other music technology
research skills and specialisation in areas of interest through ‘Experimenting with music’ and ‘Exploring music’

Assessment

External assessment

Presenting music (60 teaching hours) – SL 40% HL 30%

Solo and/or ensemble performance (12 minutes)
Composition and/or improvisation (6 minutes)
Programme notes (600 words)

Exploring music in context (45 teaching hours) - SL 30% HL 20%

Practical exercises in composition (32 bars) and performance (2 minutes)
Written report of no more than 2400 words demonstrating engagement with, and understanding of, diverse musical material

Internal assessment

Experimenting with music (45 teaching hours) - SL 30% HL 20%

Excerpts of experimentation in composition (5 minutes) and performance (5 minutes)
Written experimentation report of no more than 1500 words

The contemporary music maker (90 teaching hours) - 30%

Multimedia presentation (maximum 15 minutes) documenting the project proposal, process, evaluation and the realized project

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