I.B. Music Higher Level Requirements

Higher Level (3 compulsory parts) 240 hours

This is designed for the specialist music student with a background in musical performance and
composition, who may pursue music at university or conservatoire level.
 

• Musical Perception and Analysis

• Solo Performance: voice or instrument, one or more recitals

• Composition: three contrasting compositions

Music Higher Level
 

External Assessment (50%)
 

Listening Paper 2½ hours 30%
 

Five musical extracts and five compulsory questions

Based on the Musical Perception and Analysis part of the syllabus.

• One question on the prescribed work. 10%

• Four questions on other works. 20%
   

Musical Investigation 20%
 

A written media script of 1200-1500 words investigating the
relationships between two musical genres.
 

Internal Assessment (50%)
 

These components to be internally assessed by the teacher and externally
moderated by the IBO at the end of the course.
 

Solo Performance 25%

Presentation of one or more solo recitals (approximately 20 minutes).
 

Composition 25%

Three contrasting compositions (5-15 minutes total when performed),
with recordings and a written statement.
 

Solo Performance (HL and SLS)
 

Introduction

The course of study should build towards a presentation of one or more solo recitals which
seeks to display the best that the student can achieve.
 

• A single instrument, or voice, meets the requirements, but more than one is permissible.

• Any instrument, voice, style or musical genre is permitted.

• The presentation may be compiled from pieces recorded on more than one occasion.

• No more than one piece may be included which does not feature the student as a soloist
   

Recording

The purpose of recording performances is to allow the candidate subsequently to select a
number of contrasting pieces to represent the best work for Internal Assessment.

Composition (HL and SLC)

The course should aim to develop compositional skills through practice and experiment. In
most cases, the quality of a composition may be improved when a performance reveals
defects or new creative possibilities. The number or kinds of exercises involved (for
example, sketches or finished pieces) are not prescribed but the assessment is based on
compositions and recordings.

Higher Level The final, notated versions of three compositions and an audio
cassette recording of a performance of them are required.

Standard Level The final, notated versions of two compositions and an audio
cassette recording of a performance of them are required.
 

Higher Level and Standard Level
 

• Compositions should demonstrate contrasts in content, nature and intent.
   

• Students may choose from a wide range of media, including traditional or electric
  instruments, home-made instruments, voices, electronically or computer-generated
  sounds, and digital sound sources or modifiers.
   

• Each student should be encouraged to write at least one piece where a version in sound is
  possible, through whatever means are available. Other pieces, however, may be
  composed which require performers, instruments or other resources not locally available.
  Composition can begin from imitating other music, or from the sheer joy of improvising.
  Sounds can then be explored experimentally to create music which can be purely aesthetic,
  purely functional, purely traditional, or designed to fulfill any other expressive purpose.
   

Written Statements

Composition demands self-discipline and focus on the part of students as they shape and
assemble the musical elements to express a particular mood, character, or other intended
meaning. Throughout the program, students should be encouraged to keep notes about
their intentions in their work, and their success or otherwise in achieving these.

Ideas, sources, working drafts and commentary on the nature and the process of composition
should be kept in students notebooks or files. These materials will be used to develop the
candidates written statement, which is a required part of the assessment at the end of the course.