ib music syllabus 2013-2014

8/9/2019 IB Music Syllabus 2013-2014

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IB Music Information Page 1 of 5

IB Music Syllabus Page 1 of 5

IB Music HL 1&2 Mrs. Butterfield

2013-2014 Course Information ([email protected])

Music Classroom

Welcome! This course will engage your mind on numerous levels it involves ear-training in thebroadest sense of the expression while it asks you to use your critical thinking skills. It is a course in

developing an acute ear for music and learning, so as to articulate coherently in speech and in writingwhat you hear. It is also a forum in which to discuss whyyou know what you know about what you

hear. In order to be an actively involved member of this lively group, you must bring not only yourmusical acumen, but also your knowledge of other subjects that will help you to understand the various

facets of music with more clarity and definition. Above all, you should approach this class with an openmind and an inquisitive spirit!

The main goal of this class is to foster curiosity and openness to both familiar and unfamiliar musical

worlds, and to prepare for the IB Music exam each May (HL2 students this year). This will be achallenging task and will require dedication and commitment on your part. You will be asked to

comprehend what is presented in class. This will require careful attention. You will also have to engagein regular independent study. Class discussions are essential to success. Please participate actively and

strive to do your best. Your vigorous involvement in the learning process is crucial.

1. Materials

!Listen (with 6-CD set), Bedford-St. Martins

Text: Listen, Brief 7th Edition with 6-CD set

Joseph Kerman and Gary TomlinsonN.B.: previous editions of this text will be permitted

IB Music Subject Guide, 2011 (download from course WIKI, but do not print)

Journal for in-class listening (composition book provided)

3-holed ring binder notebook or folder for handouts

pencils with erasers (this is especially important for theory exercises in class)

supply of small post-it notes (see below for explanation)

an inquiring mind and willing spirit

Note: Because the IBO requires a clean copy of the score of the prescribed works (Prokofiev andXian) to be taken into the exam, NO marks whatsoever may be made in the scores. We will use

post-it notes to record observations, which will then be removed prior to the exam in May.

Manuscript paper will be available in the classroom.

2. Resources

!WFS Music Major WIKI Site - http://wfs-ib-music-major.wikispaces.com/

!Student account forNoteflightnotation software (details and tutorial forthcoming in class)!Listenon-line quiz site (free registration through publishers website; see textbook for details)


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Classroom resources:

Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians

BBC Music

Gramophone Other music history and world music texts

Music for Ear TrainingCD-ROM

3. Outcomes

Having successfully completed this course, students have a command of the fundamentals of music theory and an appreciation for the ways that this

command can make them be better musicians and listeners.

demonstrate an improved capacity to identify and reproduce specific musical elements that define

differences in musical styles, cultures, and performance practices.

have a better understanding of the historical developments that have shaped the evolution of many

different musical styles that are in the mainstream of Western culture, as well as influencesfrom non-Western cultures.

demonstrate progress in their performance skills through solo or ensemble music making, or intheir compositional skills through exploration and investigation of musical elements.

4. Topics

the fundamental elements of music; music theory as a reflection of creative practice

elements of musical notation, analysis, and transferring sight into sound

dictation: transferring sound into notation

application of theoretical skills: composition and/or arranging

some of the most important developments in the history of Western music, as a function of time

and place, through to the end of the twentieth century

the lives and work of some of the most influential composers

trends in world music

focused study of the prescribed works as specified in the IB curriculum

5. General overview of the year:

I. The first weeks of the first semester will cover a brief theory review, and will be spent on a

general overview of the basic elements of music:Melody


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RhythmHarmony

TextureForm

Tempo & Dynamics

These elements will form the foundation for much of our listening and discussion. Fluency inthem will be critical as we engage the IB curriculum and requirements. We will work with these

elements through reading, listening to many different examples of music, writing our own music,ear-training exercises, etc. The early part of the term will be merely an introduction to these

elements, while throughout the year we will continue to delve into them more deeply. We willalso undertake various creative assignments (4-part writing, etc.) as a means toward

understanding and analyzing works, as well as acquainting ourselves with composition.

II. In the subsequent weeks of the first term, we will begin to focus specifically on historicalmusical periods, as well as covering a brief introduction to the Musical Links Investigation

(MLI) required of all students.

III. Throughout each semester, we will also work on original compositions and performances,and prepare for the IB Concert scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, 2014. Participation in

this performance is required of all IB students, and recordings from this performance will beincluded in the final submission to IBO. In preparation for this concert, there will be an IB

Music Studio Day (TBD). Students should also be prepared to perform on the InformalConcerts in November and April.

IV. Field Trips: There will be periodic field trips to concerts and events throughout the year.

These events are requiredas part of the course curriculum. Please note the first three and

put them on your calendar:

Friday, October 18(7:00 a.m. departure)

IB Group 6 Research Trip to New York CityItinerary includes the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Lincoln Center Library for the

Performing Arts and an evening performance to be determined.Wednesday, December 4(departure at 1:00 p.m.)

West Side Storyat the DuPont Theater in Wilmington

Wednesday, February 5(departure at 4:00 p.m.)

Osvaldo GolijovsAinadamarat Opera Company of Philadelphia

6. Expectations

A. Adhere to the core values expected of all WFS students:

!Respect for Self and Others: We expect you to show respect, tolerance, and care for yourself and for

others.

!Honesty: We expect you to be truthful in all your interactions with people. This expectation includes


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academic integrity [See Academic Honesty Policy].

!Obedience: We expect you to respectfully obey all requests and instructions given by adults working atthe school.

!Respect for Property: Everything at school belongs to someone. We expect you to respect all propertyand never to damage it or take it without permission of the owner.

!Peaceful Resolution of Conflict: We expect you to use conflict resolution skills and communication to

solve interpersonal problems.

Failure to adhere to the core values will result in a detention. If a third detention is awarded, there willbe a mandatory meeting with your advisory and parent(s).

B. Be punctual with your work.

!Upper School Student Handbook: In the upper school, grades reflect the level of mastery of courseobjectives. All work considered essential by the teacher for the mastery of the course objectives is to be

completed in order for a student to pass a course. Late work considered essential will earn a grade of

zero if left incomplete after five school days, but must still be completed in order for you to pass thecourse.

All assignments in this course are essential. Assignments must be completed by the start of class. Workthat is incomplete will be handed back to you to turn in when it is finished. Late work is marked down

one letter grade per day. After five days, a grade of zero is awarded, but the assignment is still requiredfor you to pass the course.

C. Stay organized

Keep all handouts and notes throughout the year. Organize the material in a notebook or binder with

tabs. Everything presented will be valuable so that you will do well on your exams.

What is required?

Complete short reading assignments and other homework in a timely fashion

Short in-class presentations

Active class participation

Consistent note-taking in class

Keeping a Listening Journal a notebook in which you record what you hear in a particularpiece

Regular practice of Musical Perception and Analysis, both in class and independently Attendance at WFS performances

Attendance at several off-campus field trips (see above)

Participation in the IB Concert in March

Musical Links Investigation (due in early 2014)

Performance CD preparation

D. Be proactive


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Ask questions. Study, listen and work consistently. See me for extra help. My desk is in the classroom

room you are always welcome!

7. Grades Assessments and Class Participation

While periodic written assessments are necessary for students to demonstrate their understanding andprogress, consistent and active participation in class discussion is a key element for learning. DailyListen & Write exercises provide ample opportunity for students to share and grow, and each class

member is expected to contribute to the overall wisdom of the class. Timely completion of routinehomework assignments is expected and will serve the student well in his/her ability to participate

actively in class discussions.

In addition, there will be more traditional means of assessment:

Frequent quizzes (announced and pop), some short and some longer

Test prior to each Interim period

Mid-term exam in December

Practice IB exam in spring prior to IB Music exam(Note: The IB Music exam will be administered on the afternoon of Friday, May 23. Seniorswill need to be mindful of the test dates when planning their Senior Explorations.)

ib music syllabus 2013-2014

Documents