There are no Diploma classes being taught this year, below are units from previous years.
During the 2 year course, students will be working mostly at their own pace. There are a few set deadlines however, to help students with organising their time, and managing their learning. The four parts of the course are listed below. Each topic will have a variety of due dates and assignments to be completed during the two year course.
Below is the format for HL students. SL students will be similar, although they will have 1 less period each week. Unfortunately, they will still need to know all of the background information, so will probably end up with a bit more homework.
Week A Class 1 - Composition or Theory
Week A Class 2 - Performance
Week A Class 3 - History and Analysis
Week A Class 4 - History or MLI or Theory depending on need
Week B Class 1 - Composition or Theory
Week B Class 2 - History and Analysis
Week B Class 3 - History or MLI or Theory depending on need
Rubrics
Students in Higher level or in Standard level (composition) must submit 3 compositions as part of their final portfolio. To assist in this, there will be 6-7 compositions assigned, and then students may choose the best three for submission at the end of the course. A few things to note that will apply to ALL compositions:
Composition 1 - Gregorian chant,
Composition 2 - String Quartet, - due Jan 23 with extension until Jan 30
Composition 3 - Baroque Style - cancelled for 2013/14
Composition 4 - 5 instruments or Voices, due April 13
Composition 5 - Any style or instrumentation, due on June 8
Composition 6 - Something you have yet to compose for - if you've done a lot of string orchestra, try barbershop quartet, or rock band. Due Oct of grade 12
Portfolio - the compositions that will be uploaded to IB, along with the journals will be handed in Feb of grade 12
All students will write the final exam in May of their grade 12 year. Practice exams will be held in June of their grade 11 year and Feb of their grade 12 year. To do well in these exams, students should have a good knowledge and understanding of:
Western Music History (Ancient to Modern) completed during grade 11
Students should use a variety of sources to gain their knowledge. The Norton text books (provided), Naxos listening library, Links on the Resources & Favorite Links page, itunes university, the many books that were placed in the library for you. There are many places to get information from. Also make sure to check out the books in the music area bookshelves.
Listening logs, Timelines and Dictionaries
September/October - Gregorian Chant - Ancient music
October /November - Renaissance
December / January - Baroque
February -Classical - due Mar 2
March -Romantic - due April 3
May / June - 20th century - due June 15
Summer - Modern rock / pop - blues, big band, pop, metal, rock etc
World Music (genres from each continent and many cultures) completed during grade 12
September/October - Asia
November - Africa
December/January - First Nations North America, Indigenous Australia / New Zealand
February - Central / South America
Prescribed works (2) from the IB
Each year there are 2 set works that the IB prescribe for students to study and learn about. These works should be learned in depth, including a score analysis. Students should know information about the composer, the state of the world at the time of the composition, original audience reaction to the pieces and any other interesting tidbits.
Set piece 1 - studied in April of Grade 11, December of Grade 12, and March of Grade 12
Set piece 2 - studied in May of Grade 11, January of Grade 12 and April of Grade 12
Listening Analysis
Students will practice their listening skills and essay writing throughout the course of the 2 years. Students can expect to do one practice essay during class time every 2-3 months, in addition to their formalised practice exams.
Students in Higher level as well as students in Standard level (performance) must submit a CD with 20 minutes of recital pieces on it. Students are encouraged to take private lessons throughout the course of the 2 years. Students (with the assistance of their private teacher) should choose a variety of repertoire that shows of a range of musical skills. As with the compositions, students will be required to complete more than the necessary time allotment so that they can choose their best pieces for their portfolios. Any instrument is acceptable to complete the performance component on, so long as that student is able to accomplish a full 20 minute varied program on that instrument. This can be anything from traditional western orchestral instruments, to traditional arabic instruments to modern rock instruments, and everything in between.
November 5 - 5 minutes
March 17 - 10 minutes
May - 5 minutes
November of grade 12 - 10 minutes
January of grade 12 - any remaining minutes needed, and CD created
Students are required to write an independent investigation that compares 2 distinct musical cultures, but comparing a piece that is representative of each culture. Students will briefly touch on the MLI during the first part of the course in grade 11. Students are then expected to complete the MLI during the summer of grade 11. As this is a major piece of writing, students are strongly encouraged to have others (writing centres, university friends, parents, english teachers etc) read through the drafts.
A few things to keep in mind:
Pre-MLI activities:
Final copy submitted for marking in September of grade 12 year (you may make changes based on comments after this)
Final copy for portfolio submitted in December of grade 12 year (no further changes allowed)