Music

The IEB Music curriculum is offered as a timetabled IEB elective subject. Students commence with the IEB programme in Grade 10 and build up a body of work across Grade 10, 11 and 12. The IEB curriculum can also be selected as an optional eighth subject where lessons are offered after school hours.

Students may do IEB Music as a subject and the External practical music programme (below) as well; however, they may not offer the same instrument for both.

Course content

This is a comprehensive music course with written, listening and practical components:

• Practical: Grade 5-6 standard in one or more instruments by Grade 12. Technical knowledge, aural and sight reading are included, and improvisational skills are taught.
• General music knowledge: Course content covers: Listening and identifying elements of music and genres; Music through the ages.
• Music literacy: General music theory, compositional skills, music technology and score analysis are all taught.

Assessment

• Portfolio: A portfolio of tasks, tests and exercises form part of the student’s overall mark in each year from Grade 10 to 12.
• Practical assessment: A group practical assessment is given and there are two practical examinations per year. The final practical examination takes place in September/October of Grade 12 and is carried out by an IEB examiner.
• Written assessment: Two exams are written each year. The final Grade 12 paper is written during the official IEB National Senior Certificate examinations.

External practical music programme

This programme is examined through the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), Trinity College of London or UNISA and then recognised by the IEB as an eighth subject. It can only be taken as an eighth subject and cannot be used in place of any of the electives when calculating points for tertiary study. It is an indicator of diligence and advanced practical achievement.

The External music programme has two components:

1. Practical component – a student must pass UNISA/ABRSM/Trinity Grade 7 in an individual instrument or voice. These examinations include technical knowledge, aural and sight reading. The practical component must be completed by the candidate by not later than June of the Grade 12 year.
2. Theory component – a student must pass either Grade 5 UNISA or Grade 6 ABRSM/Trinity music theory. The theory component must be completed not earlier than October of the Grade 11 year and before June of the Grade 12 year.

Please note the following:

• A student will only enrol for the External practical programme in Grade 12.
• The external examination bodies’ final percentage results, based on the theory and practical components, will be accepted as the final mark obtained by the student.
• The actual mark will be recorded on the final National Senior Certificate with an asterisk, denoting that this subject was offered by an external assessment body.
• A student is restricted to one external examining body – ABRSM or Trinity or UNISA – for both components.

For further information about the Music offer in the High School, please contact our Head of High School Music, Zelda Martin.