Westwood High School

IB Music Syllabus

Introduction:

The IB syllabus for Music is:

focused on practical work

suitable for all kinds of students

suitable for musicians who are into lots of different kinds of music

As in all IB subjects, IB Music splits into 2 levels: Higher and Standard.

Higher level is designed to be a two-year curriculum. (It may be accomplished in one year but it

is strenuous.) Standard Level is designed as a one-year curriculum. These are the details:

Higher Level

This is designed for the specialist music student who has a background or major interest in

music performance and who may pursue music at the university or conservatory level.

It consists of 3 compulsory parts:

1. Musical Perception and Analysis

2. Performance

3. Composition

Standard Level

This is designed for the student who has a background in musical performance or a background

in composition, or those with a general interest.

This consists of a compulsory part and an optional part.

Every student studies Musical Perception and Analysis as the compulsory part

Students can then choose one of 3 options:

1. Solo performance

2. Group performance

3. Composition

Assessment Details

Higher and Standard Level:

External assessment: (50%) assesses the work done on Musical Perception and Analysis. It is

split into 2 sections:

Listening Paper 2 hours 30 minutes 30% of total mark

Includes one question on a set work, and 4 questions on unseen work. Questions will specify

knowledge and insight into musical, contextual, structural and technical aspects of the works. We

will work towards this exam by looking at, listening to, and playing lots of different kinds of

music from different places, times and cultures.

Musical Investigation 20% of total mark

You will write between 1200 and 1500 words, on a subject that examines relationships between

pieces of music of 2 distinct genres. This will give you the opportunity to develop research skills

and links with local musicians and musicians of South East Asia, or any Western vs. non-

Western culture. You might decide to compare instruments and native music of two different

cultures, such as the tin whistle of Celtic traditions vs. the wooden flute of Native American

traditions. You will learn about how to research other people’s music just as you will learn to

analyze and discuss Western music. The exciting and creative part of this project is the format.

You will write your research in the form of a media script. This means the script of a TV or

Radio Broadcast…a movie script… a film documentary … a game show or reality

show…anything you wish as long as it is in script form and narrates the cogent points you want

to compare and contrast.

Higher Level: Internal Assessment

Performance (25%)

You present a solo recital approximately 20 minutes long. The recital can include one group

piece. It is assessed by using the following criteria:

A. Overall impression

B. Technical competence

C. Style and interpretation

D. Repertoire

Composition (25%)

You will write 3 original compositions lasting in total between 5 and 15 minutes. They will be

written and recorded in the best way possible and assessed with the following criteria:

A. Overall impression

B. Structural and stylistic integrity

C. Technical knowledge of medium

D. Control and development of musical elements

E. Notation

Standard Level Internal Assessment

Students have a choice of 1 from 3 options, each option carrying 50% of the final mark.

Option 1: Solo Performance

You will present a solo recital approximately 15 minutes long. The recital can include one group

piece. You will be assessed using the following criteria:

A. Overall impression

B. Technical competence

C. Style and interpretation

D. Repertoire

Option 2: Group Performance

All candidates who play in the same group are given the same mark. A candidate can only play

in one group.

This is assessed on criteria such as:

A. shared commitment to music making

B. shared understanding and communication of the sense of the music

C. technical achievements

D. choice of repertoire

Option 3: Composition

You will write 2 original compositions lasting in total between 5 and 15 minutes. Your pieces

should be written and recorded in the best way possible. You will be assessed using the

following criteria:

A. Overall impression

B. Structural and stylistic integrity

C. Technical Knowledge of medium

D. Control and development of musical elements

E. Notation

In Conclusion

IB music is a really exciting course and can be tailored to suit the interests of students. At

Westwood, the course consists of a small class of interested and motivated students. Our goal is

to treat the course as an open, seminar type atmosphere, which allows for much sharing of ideas,

opinions and talent.

General Calendar

First 6 Weeks:

Introduction to music fundamentals necessary for analysis

Introduction to music score reading and identification

Overview of all Historical Periods from Antiquity to the Present

Activities will include lecture and listening of major composers, composition, score reading and analysis

2 tests. One every three weeks… None of them cumulative.

One composition in the style of Medieval chant and incorporating parallel organum

Class presentation on bibliography and research techniques

Class presentation on Major and Minor composers up to Renaissance Second 6 Weeks:

Specific investigation of Antiquity, Middle Ages, and Renaissance and Baroque.

Activities will include lecture and listening of major composers.

Score recognition and identification.

2 tests. One every three weeks. The second will be a Mid- Term cumulative.

One composition in the Style of a Renaissance motet or a secular dance.

1 PowerPoint presentation due at the end of the 6 weeks on assigned composers. Third 6 Weeks:

Specific investigation of Classic and Romantic.

Activities will include lecture and listening of Major Composers.

Score recognition and identification.

2 Tests. One every three weeks. The second will be a cumulative Final.

Curriculum will be structured around the chosen operas for the first round of competition in early Spring semester.

Fourth 6 Weeks:

Specific investigation of 20th Century and Contemporary.

Activities will include lecture and listening of Major Composers.

Score recognition and identification.

Begin specific investigation of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.

1 test. During the fourth week.

One composition in Sonata Allegro form. Classic or Neo-Classic in content.

Class presentation on the life and works of Igor Stravinsky.

Coordination of the Repertoire for Solo or Group Performances.

Selection of Musical Investigation topics. Fifth 6 Weeks:

Continue specific investigation of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.

Activities will include lecture and listening.

Group score recognition and identification.

Beginning investigation of World Music examples from IB Vade Mecum.

One composition in free or Avant Garde style.

Recording of performances of Internal Assessment recitals.

Presentation of Musical Investigation scripts. Sixth 6 Weeks:

Continue specific investigation of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.

Activities will include lecture and listening.

Group score recognition and identification.

Continue investigation of World Music examples from IB Vade Mecum.

Powerpoint Presentation due on assigned World Music topics.

Practice IB tests.

Sitting for the final IB written examination.

Texts and Teaching Materials

The Enjoyment of Music: Machlis, Joseph, and Kristine Forney. The Enjoyment of Music. New York: W. W. Norton & Co. 8th ed. 2000. Listen: Kerman, Joseph, and Gary Tomlinson. Listen. New York: Worth Publishers, Inc. 4th ed. 2000 An Outline History of Western Music: Wold, Milo, and Edmund Cykler, James Miller, Gary Martin. An Outline History of Western Music. New York: McGraw-Hill, Co., 9th ed. 1997. The Rough Guide World Music: Rough Guides Staff. The Rough Guide to World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East. New York: Viking / Penguin. 2000 Rough Guides Staff. The Rough Guide to World Music: Vol. 2. New York: Viking / Penguin. 2000.

Recordings The Enjoyment of Music CD Set:

The Norton Recordings: Gregorian Chant to Beethoven to Accompany The Norton Scores and the Enjoyment of Music, Vol. 1. The Norton Recordings: Schubert to the Present, to Accompany The Norton Scores and the Enjoyment of Music, Vol. 2.

Listen: 6 CD set to Accompany the Listen textbook. Anything from the Smithsonian collection for World Music Instruction

Online Sources The Enjoyment of Music online site: www.wwnorton.com/enjoy/ tutor and tests online. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians online: www.grovemusic.com Teoria: www.teoria.com Testing site: QUIA.com