IBSL

I.B. Standard Level Requirements

Standard Level (3 options) 150 hours

Solo Performance Option (SLS) (2 compulsory parts)

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

Musical Perception and Analysis
Solo Performance: voice or instrument, one or more recitals

Group Performance Option (SLG) (2 compulsory parts)

This is designed for students with a general interest in music, or those without prior experience,
particularly members of ensembles.

Musical Perception and Analysis
Group Performance: two or more public performances

Composition Option (SLC) (2 compulsory parts)

This is designed for the student who has a background in musical composition.

Musical Perception and Analysis
Composition: two contrasting compositions

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.

Group Performance (SLG)

Students following this Standard Level option are expected to be active, participating

members of a musical ensemble which performs in public on two or more occasions during the course.

The Ensemble

The IBO Music teacher should advise students on the appropriateness of an ensemble and its

repertoire, paying special regard to the students. interests and abilities.

! Students should not necessarily be limited to ensembles organized by the IBO Music teacher, or offered in the school.

! A school band or choir may be composed entirely or principally of IBO Music students,

with a program of rehearsal and performance designed to meet the criteria for this option.

! A few IBO students may be members of a larger group with a different agenda (for

example, festival or competition performance, or growth through rehearsal and

performance as members of a rock band).

Requirements

! Each student will be assessed on the work done in only one ensemble and each IBO

student who is a member of this ensemble will receive the same mark.

! At least two public performances must be recorded during the course.

! When the IBO Music teacher is not the conductor or leader of the ensemble (such as

ensembles led by other teachers at the school, rock groups or folk ensembles), the teacher

must attend the two public performances to be able to verify that the recording is authentic.

! Teachers may be the conductors, leaders and/or accompanists of ensembles. However, no

teacher or professional musician may have any other performing role in ensemble work which will be assessed.

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.