The IB Music syllabus (first assessment 2022) aims to develop students who want to learn how music connects and transcends societies, cultures, histories and the human experience. Music is a means by which people can express and share their understanding of the world. It offers a unique mode of creativity, expression and communication and continues to evolve through individual and exciting collaborative work with other ‘creatives’. The IB course recognises the importance of new and emerging technologies, and how music responds to, and is shaped by our increasingly digital world.
At West Island School we encourage our students to make inquiries into creative practices and performance processes. Students will develop listening, creative and analytical skills, as well as cultural understanding and international-mindedness. In this way, music is a catalyst for expanding critical thinking—a crucial life skill. The course challenges students to engage practically with music as researchers, performers and creators, and to be driven by their unique passions and interests while also broadening their musical and artistic perspectives.
Course prerequisites There are no prerequisites for either Higher Level or Standard Level IB Music. Students should have an interest in listening to a diverse range of music, playing or singing, composing and improvising.
Course objectives IB musicians: 1. Explore the diversity of the arts across time, cultures and contexts. 2. Develop as imaginative and skilled creators and collaborators. 3. Express ideas creatively and with competence. 4. Critically reflect on the process of creating and experiencing the arts. 5. Develop as informed, perceptive and analytical practitioners. 6. Enjoy lifelong engagement with the arts. 7. Explore a range of musical contexts and make links to, and between, different musical practices, conventions and forms of expression (inquiry). 8. Acquire, develop and experiment with musical competencies through a range of musical practices, conventions and forms of expression, both individually and in collaboration with others (action). 9. Evaluate and develop critical perspectives on their own music and the work of others (reflection).
Who is the course for? The IB Music course is for anyone who has a love of creating music in different forms, practices and contexts. It is for students who want to strongly develop creative thinking skills, holistic mindsets and flexible design and project-based skills, all of which are highly sought after by universities and employers. DP music students must be able to strategize, plan, execute and justify their creative choices to secure an advantaged position in a contemporary world.
Distinction between SL and HL The SL and HL courses are similar, however there is greater breadth and depth required for HL which is reflected in an additional assessment task. This task requires HL students to create a project that is based on real-life practices of creating and presenting music in collaboration with others. This project is called the Contemporary Music Maker project.
Syllabus outline Both SL and HL students will study a wide range of music from familiar and unfamiliar contexts related to four areas of inquiry.
Music for sociocultural and political expression
Music for listening and performance
Music for dramatic impact movement and entertainment
Music technology in electronic and digital age
In the musical roles of researcher,creator, and performer HL and SL students will learn about music by exploring, experimenting and presenting diverse musical materials. These processes give students insight into how musicians work and develop their musicianship, and help them to become independent learners in music.
The Contemporary Music Maker component (HL) culminates in a collaborative project that is inspired by real-life practices in contemporary music making. This project brings together the roles and processes through real-life music-making within a contemporary setting. Developing, realizing and sharing artistic intentions with others through practical music-making is at the heart of this research, creative and performance project.
Future pathways Professional musician, composer, music arranger, music producer, sound engineer, artist manager, arts lawyer, music business manager, music teacher, agent, music publicist, singer songwriter, tour manager, music and health worker, public relations and event manager, promotor.