MUSIC INVESTIGATION

The IBO Musical Investigation is required for both standard and higher level students.  This assignment is the final exam grade for the first semester.

REQUIREMENTS

• An original musical investigation of two contrasting musical selections from two different cultures (genres)

• 1500 word maximum length

• The investigation must be presented in a media format.  This format may include any kind of media format designed to reach large numbers of people.  Some examples include:

PowerPoint Presentation

Website

Radio Script

Play or Movie Script

News Paper

• The investigation must be original, and presented uniquely by the student

• Students may not work on their investigation with another student, share sources, topics, or musical selections

• Wikipedia and published IB Music Investigations are NOT acceptable research sources

• Sources must be CLEARLY cited, and references WILL be checked before your final grade is posted

• NOTE: Shared or sources not properly cited are subject to CUSD plagiarism penalties. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO MUSICAL SOURCES THAT MUST BE CITED IN A DISCOGRAPHY

CULTURES

(From the IB Assessment Booklet)

• The two musical cultures chosen for study should be sufficiently distinct: the music pieces chosen should therefore be easily definable as belonging to a distinct musical culture.

• Despite the fact that the two musical cultures must be distinct, one or more inherent links between the musical pieces is (are) needed for the investigation to be successful.  In this way, the required analysis of similar pieces and contrasting features of the musical pieces chosen can be achieved.  Otherwise, the investigation may become merely an exercise in comparing the excerpts.

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Students are graded on the following five categories.  The total number of IB Assessment Points available for the musical investigation is 20 (or 20% of your certificate qualification score).

(from the IB MARK SCHEME)

A  Choice of Musical Examples

B  Analysis and Comparison of Musical Features

C  Technical Language

D  Organization and Presentation

E  Overall Impression

Assignment Due Dates

ABSTRACT

• Due block day first week back in January.

• Typed

• Include what notes on the media you will be using.  Sketches are appropriate as well.  Note: scribbled drawings are NOT acceptable sketches.

• List the specific pieces you will be using for your comparison

INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION APPOINTMENTS

• Individual appointments will be held the second week back from vacation if needed

• Students present their paper verbally to the teacher

• Discussions on formats, success of presentation and comparison, etc.

ROUGH DRAFT

• Due block day third week after break in January

• Typed

• May include handwritten notes on changes yet to be made

• Pictures and their sources (i.e. website address, etc.)

• Cited sources for your musical selections (discography)

• Cited written sources (Wikipedia is NOT an acceptable source)

FINAL DRAFT

• Due finals exam day of the first semester

• The final assignment grade depends on promptness.  Each day late lowers the grade by one letter grade.

• Typed

• Burned disk or other media of your presentation (a digital copy of your work)

• A printed paper version of your media (i.e. print out the PowerPoint pages)

• Investigations will be graded in February according the IB Music Investigation Rubric (17-20=A, 13-16=B, 9-12=C, 5-8=D).  This is the first class grade of the new semester. Rubrics are available in room 700.