Tips for Submitting Arrangements and Compositions

June 12, 2017

All compositions and the arrangement (if submitted) must include a printed score, a recording, and a reflective statement. If submitting an arrangement, the original source must be submitted whether it is a score or a recording. Following are recommendations for each:...

Expanding the Context – The Often Forgotten Criterion of the Listening Exam Rubric

May 15, 2017

It’s the time of year to carefully plan your listening for the exam!   The often forgotten criterion from the listening paper rubric is Criteria D: Context.  Let’s discuss expanding the context of each of your answers.   What is “context”? IB defines...

To “Me Me Ha Me Fo Sty Co” or Not To “Me Me Ha Me Fo Sty Co?” Is That the Question?

May 10, 2017

It’s the time of the year when many IB music teachers are cramming the acronym Me Me Ha Me Fo Sty Co into their students arsenal of listening paper strategies. IsMe Me Ha Me Fo Sty Co a great idea listening paper strategy or not?  While not from Hamlet’s...

Umbrella Maps: Who Knew Music Theory Could Taste This Great!

December 14, 2016

The use of cookies can be a fun and valuable tool for inquiry projects in music theory.  Recently, I was inspired by this website:  Music theory explained with OREOS!   Though somewhat rudimentary, the use of cookies (or any kind of food) visually reinforces the forms...

WHAT CAME FIRST, THE MUSIC OR THE ERA?

December 5, 2016

  In IB Music we study the classical music eras of: Middle Ages (9th to 14th centuries) Renaissance (15th and 16th centuries) Baroque (1600 – 1750) Classical (1750 – 1820) Romantic (1820 – 1910) Modern or Contemporary (1910 to the present) Often...

IB MUSIC: A Brief Guide to SL and HL Solo Performance

November 9, 2016

This is the time of year when SL Music students need to choose either solo or group performance and HL Music students prepare for solo performances.  It is an important decision. At the Standard Level, the solo or group performance option is worth 50% of the overall...