MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSESSMENT (Music Portfolio Tasks)

Grade MYP 3 Subject Music

Topic The Art of Composition

Time allowed 1 March – 15 March Time Taken*

Assignment given Final Submission date

on

Name of the
Student*

Date*

Global Context Scientific and technical Innovation

Key Concept Change

Related Concepts Composition and Audience

Statement of Understanding the identity and the elements of a composition through technical
Inquiry innovation, inspires an artist to bring about a change within the society.

Summative Task 2: Developing

Scenario: A reputed film production house is auditioning in your city where they are looking for
composers/producers to create original music for short films.

You are being provided with a video clip, based on which you will be required to compose an 8-bar melody on
MuseScore which needs to be produced on the online Digital audio workstation, BandLabs, where you may
add instruments (live/virtual), loops, and sound effects to enhance and embellish your composition. The task
is divided into two parts:

1. Proposal: You are required to write a proposal in 200 words where you convey your artistic intention
for the 20 second original composition in relation to the social cause/context that is shown in the
video clip. This would include the key of the composition, time signature, tempo and the instruments
that will be used in the music.

2. Process journal: Development of the composition of the melody line, diagram/notation of the score,
addition of sound effects (fade in/fade out & reverb); the understanding of the loops and/or inclusion
of live instruments in a process journal.
 Criteria Assessed
Criteria/Strand Task Specific Descriptors

B (i)
practically explore ideas to inform development of a final artwork or
performance

B (ii)
present a clear artistic intention for the final artwork or performance
in line with the statement of  inquiry. 

Criterion B: Developing 
Maximum: 8 
At the end of year 3/Intermediate stage, students should be able to: 
i. practically explore ideas to inform development of a final artwork or performance
ii. present a clear artistic intention for the final artwork or performance in line with the
statement of  inquiry. 
Achievement  Level descriptor  Possible  
level characteristics

0  The student does not reach a standard described by any of the 

descriptors below.

1–2  The student:  Basic 

i. demonstrates limited practical exploration of an idea or  ideas  Incomplete
ii. presents a clear artistic intention and states artistic choices.

3–4  The student:  Adequate 

i. demonstrates sufficient practical exploration of an idea or  ideas  Reasonable
ii. presents a clear artistic intention in line with the 
statement of inquiry and states artistic choices.

5–6  The student:  Focused 

i. demonstrates substantial practical exploration of an idea  or ideas  Considered
ii. presents a clear artistic intention in line with the  statement of
inquiry and describes artistic choices.

Achievement  Level descriptor  Possible  

level characteristics

7-8  The student:  Imaginative

Thoughtful
i. demonstrates extensive and varied practical exploration of  an
idea or ideas

ii. presents a clear artistic intention in line with the  statement

of inquiry and explains artistic choices.

MYP Music Command Terms

 TERM DEFINITION

Create The action required to evolve one’s thoughts or imaginings into a work,
product, outcome or invention

Critique Provide a critical review or commentary, especially when dealing with works of art or literature.
Demonstrate Prove or make clear by reasoning or evidence, illustrating with examples or
practical application.

Develop To improve incrementally, elaborate or expand in detail. Evolve to a more

advanced or effective state.

Deconstruct Identify musical elements and compositional devices and how they have been used
by an artist.

Evaluate Assess the implications and limitations; make judgments about the ideas,
works, solutions or methods in relation to selected criteria.

Explore Undertake a systematic process of discovery.

Formulate Express precisely and systematically the relevant concept(s) or argument(s).

Identify Provide an answer from a number of possibilities. Recognize and state

briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.

Outline Give a brief account.

Present Offer for display, observation, examination, or consideration.

Use Apply knowledge or rules to put theory into practice.

Ensemble a group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.

Notation Any system used to visually represent aurally perceived music played with
instruments or sung by the human voice through the use of written, printed, or
otherwise-produced symbols.

Raaga A raaga literally means "colouring, tingeing, dyeing") is akin to a melodic

mode in Indian classical music. Each raaga has an emotional significance and
symbolic associations such as with season, time and mood.

Taal a traditional rhythmic pattern in classical Indian music.

Genre a style or category of music, e.g. Rock, classical, jazz, blues, etc

Style a way of expressing art or music, that is characteristic of a particular piece

Form/ Structure the overall structure or plan of a piece of music. The layout of a composition
as divided
into sections

Composition An original piece of music, either a song or an instrumental music piece, the
structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating or writing a new song or
piece of music.

Arrangement The art of giving an existing or original melody musical variety

Skills Abilities that have been acquired by training and/or experience

Techniques The forms used to show skill; the particular way skill(s) are employed

Devices a technique used by composers to achieve a particular artistic effect. Some

musical devices are: - Repetition, sequencing and transposition.