Music subject report · May 2009

May 2009 extended essay reports Page 1 © International Baccalaureate Organization 2009 MUSIC Overall grade boundaries Grade: E D C B A Mark range: 0 - 7 8 - 15 16 - 22 23 - 28 29 - 36 The range and suitability of the work submitted There was a wide range of work, from sharply focused, well planned, and structured investigations, se veral with imaginative enquiries, productively pursued, to some with ill defined topics, disorganized ideas and/or no strategy. There was a variable understanding of research methodology (weak to accomplished). A few papers were made exclusively of personal views; others demonstrated some discernment of the difference between opinion and fact; and some had rigorously objective approaches. Many of the topics were music centred, though many could have used more music illustration and substantiation. Some used isolated argumentation, unsupported by an academic context or other lines of enquiry and a great deal of use of general, non -specialized sources, with reliance on the internet - noticeably Wikipedia. Other candidates focused on general research topics: t he history of punk rock, classical and romantic music, and lives of performers for example. It is exceptionally difficult to apply the assessment criteria with rigour to such general extended essays. Those who achieved very good marks concentrated on speci fic analytical and/or compositional features of certain works. Such candidates worked with scores and were able to find detail in the respective texts and comment with authority and confidence. Some candidates wrote ‘compare/contrast’ essays, which did not show a specific rationale for the research question – i.e. ‘what am I trying to find out?’ Several essays focused on a purely descriptive analysis, which is unhelpful without musical examples. Essays trying to prove a mood or nationalistic feel lacked suc cess, as it was difficult to effectively support