07

Group 6: The Arts

Modified June 20, 2023
14.5 min
Modified June 20, 2023

Music

Prerequisites: Year 10 Music or Music Technology highly recommended

Course Structure: SL and HL

Course Description

IB Music is a folio-based course (there is no final written examination), which aims to develop emerging musicians across three core folios for Standard Level and an additional fourth folio for Higher Level students. Students will assume three different roles (Researcher, Creator and Performer) across three different contexts (Personal, Local and Global). Integrated Musical Processes include exploring, experimenting, and presenting music. 

Prerequisites 

    • Minimum of Grade 1 Theory or equivalent 
    • Performance levels are not set – you come in as the performer you are 
    • Passionate & hard working 
    • Students MUST be enrolled in private music lessons on their instrument of choice 
    • Enthusiasm and a good work ethic 

Three portfolios for SL and an additional portfolio for HL 

Exploring Music in Context 
Students will explore music of many different genres and experiment and create using ideas from the music studied. This folio will comprise of a 2400 word written submission and practical exercises in creating and performing. 

Presenting Music 
Students prepare a practical folio in solo and/or group while studying the compositional and contextual elements of the pieces chosen. This folio will comprise of programme notes – 600 words, composition and or improvisation, and a performance folio of 12 minutes. 
 
Experimenting with Music 
Students will explore and experiment with music from different contexts and cultures. This folio will comprise of a written experimentation report of 1500 words and practical music evidence, comprising of performance and composition. 

Music-2021-IB

Contemporary Music folio (HL students only) 

High level students will undergo a fourth portfolio entitled ‘The Contemporary Music Maker’. In this portfolio, students need to run and manage a chosen ‘real life’ project that is music related. A 15 minute multimedia presentation is required to document and present this project for assessment. A project could be a concert at school, a competition, campaign, collaboration with others… the choice is yours. 

Areas of Inquiry 

Music is studied using four Areas of Inquiry: 
1. Music for sociocultural and political expression 
2. Music for listening and performances 
3. Music for dramatic impact 
4. Music technology in the electronic and digital age 

Context 

Music is studied in three contexts: 
1. Personal 
2. Local 
3. Global 
 
Integrated Musical Processes include: 
4. Exploring 
5. Experimenting 
6. Presenting 
 
ASSESSMENT Standard Level 
1. Exploring Music in Context: 30% (external assessment) 
2. Presenting Music: 40% (external assessment) 
3. Experimenting with Music: 30% (internal assessment) 
 
ASSESSMENT Higher Level 
1. Exploring Music in Context: 20% (external assessment) 
2. Presenting Music: 30% (external assessment) 
3. Experimenting with Music: 20% (internal assessment) 
4. The Contemporary Music Maker: 30% (internal assessment) 

Theatre Arts

Prerequisites

Nil.

Course Structure: SL and HL

Course Description

Theatre is a practical subject that encourages discovery through experimentation, the taking of risks and the presentation of ideas to others. It results in the development of both theatre and life skills; the building of confidence, creativity and working collaboratively.

The IB Diploma Programme theatre course is a multifaceted theatre-making course of study. It gives students the opportunity to make theatre as creators, designers, directors and performers. It emphasizes the importance of working both individually and collaboratively as part of an ensemble. It offers the opportunity to engage actively in the creative process, transforming ideas into action as inquisitive and productive artists.

ASSESSMENT:

External Assessment     SL          HL

Task 1: Solo theatre piece (HL only)

Students at HL research a theatre theorist they have not previously studied, identify an aspect(s) of theory and create and present a solo theatre piece (lasting 4-7 minutes maximum) that demonstrates the practical application of this theory to a theatre piece for an audience.

Each student submits the following.

1. A report (2,500 words maximum) plus a list of all primary and secondary sources cited.

2. A continuous unedited video recording of the whole solo theatre piece (4-7 minutes maximum).

Standard Level N/A        

Higher Level 35%

Task 2: Collaborative project (SL and HL)

Students at SL and HL collaboratively create and perform an original piece of theatre (lasting 7–10 minutes maximum) created from a starting point of their choice. The piece is presented to an audience as a fully-realized production. Each student submits the following.

1. A project report (a maximum of 10 pages of written text and images, with written text not exceeding 4,000 words) plus a list of all sources used.

2. A video recording of the final piece (7-10 minutes maximum).

Standard Level 40%        

Higher Level 25%

Task 3: Research presentation (SL and HL)

Students at SL and HL plan, deliver and video record an individual research presentation (15 minutes maximum) in which they provide evidence of their academic and practical exploration and learning of a world theatre tradition they have not previously studied. Each student submits the following.

1. A video recording of the student’s research presentation (15 minutes maximum).

2. A list of all sources cited and any additional resources used by the student during the presentation.

Standard Level 30%        

Higher Level 20%

Internal Assessment      SL            HL

Task 4: Production Proposal (SL and HL)

Students at SL and HL choose a published play text they have not previously studied and formulate a vision for the design and theoretical staging of the entire play text for an audience. These ideas are presented in the form of a proposal. Each student submits the following.

A production proposal (a maximum of 12 pages of written text and images, with written text not exceeding 4,000 words) plus a list of all sources used.

Standard Level 30%

Higher Level 20%

Visual Arts

Prerequisites

Taking any of the 10 Visual Arts subjects is highly advisable

Course Structure: SL and HL

Course Description

The Visual Arts course at SL and HL aims to enable students to create artwork that is influenced by personal and cultural contexts; to become informed and critical observers and makers of visual culture and media; and to develop skills, techniques and processes in order to communicate concepts and ideas. 

The course encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. It is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking, while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to engage in, experiment with and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary practices and media. The course is designed for students who want to go on to study visual arts in higher education as well as for those who are seeking lifelong enrichment through visual arts. 

Students are expected to: examine and compare the work of artists from different times, places and cultures, using a range of critical methodologies; consider in more depth the cultural contexts (historical, geographical, political, social and technological factors) influencing their own work and the work of others; submit carefully selected materials which evidence their experimentation, exploration, manipulation and and refinement of a variety of visual arts activities during the two year course; and lastly, present a selection of resolved artworks from their exhibition. The selected pieces are chosen to show evidence of their technical accomplishment during the visual arts course and an understanding of the use of materials, ideas and practices appropriate to visual communication. 

The Visual Arts core syllabus at SL and HL consists of three equal interrelated areas: Comparative Study; Process portfolio; Exhibition. Students are required to understand the relationship between these areas and how each area informs and impacts their work in visual arts. 

Standard Level 

Throughout the course students are expected to experience working with a variety of different art-making and conceptual forms. SL students should, as a minimum, experience working with at least two art-making mediums/techniques, each selected from one of the following forms: Two-dimensional forms (drawing, painting, printing, communication design); Three-dimensional forms (sculpture, designed objects, site specific/ephemeral, textiles); and Lens based, electronic and screen-based forms.  

SL ASSESSMENT 
Internal assessment:

  • Exhibition (40%): presentation of a selection of resolved artworks (4–7 pieces), with exhibition text for each and a curatorial rationale (400 words maximum) 

External assessment:

  • Comparative Study (20%): comparison of at least 3 different artworks, by at least 2 different artists, with commentary over 10–15 screens (demonstrating the exploration of perspectives, theories and cultures that inform and influence visual arts practice) 
  • Process portfolio (40%): presentation of 9–18 screens from the folio demonstrating the exploration and acquisition of skills, techniques and processes, through engagement with a variety of media and methods. The submitted work should be in at least two different art-making forms. 

Higher Level 

Throughout the course students are expected to experience working with a variety of different art-making and conceptual forms. HL students should, as a minimum, experience working with at least three art-making mediums/techniques, selected from a minimum of two of the following forms: Two-dimensional forms (drawing, painting, printing, communication design); Three-dimensional forms (sculpture, designed objects, site specific/ephemeral, textiles); and Lens based, electronic and screen-based forms. 

HL ASSESSMENT 
Internal assessment

  • Exhibition (40%): presentation of a selection of resolved artworks (8–11 pieces), with exhibition text for each, and a curatorial rationale (700 words maximum) 

External assessment:

  • Comparative Study (20%): comparison of at least 3 different artworks, by at least 2 different artists, with commentary over 10–15 screens (demonstrating the exploration of perspectives, theories and cultures that inform and influence visual arts practice) and a reflection on the extent to which their work and practices have been influenced by any of the art/artists examined (3–5 screens). 
  • Process portfolio (40%): presentation of 13–25 screens from the portfolio demonstrating the exploration and acquisition of skills, techniques and processes, through engagement with a variety of media and methods. The submitted work should be in at least three different art-making forms. 

POSSIBLE FUTURE CAREER OPPORTUNTIES:  
• Artist • Architect • Art Theorist/Critic • Concept Designer • Curator • Conservator • Fashion Designer • Graphic Designer • Animator • Industrial/Product Designer • Interior Designer • Landscape Architect • Multimedia Designer • Set/Stage Designer • Art Therapist • Art Teacher • Commercial Artist e.g. Photographer, Illustrator or Concept Artist, as well as a range of careers which require problem solving and creative abilities. 

YEAR 11 : Finished Works examples
YEAR 12 : Finished Works examples