DP Music at GESS
At GESS, the Music course provides students with the opportunity to develop their musicianship through active engagement as researchers, creators, and performers. The course is designed to enhance students’ musical identities while fostering critical and creative thinking. Through the exploration of diverse musical contexts, students gain a deep understanding of music’s role in society, culture, and communication. The curriculum focuses on musical techniques, traditions, and modern approaches, while encouraging students to experiment with their craft and collaborate in a variety of musical settings.

💠 Why Study Music at GESS?
👉 Creative Exploration – The course encourages students to explore music from a variety of genres, cultures, and contexts, allowing them to broaden their musical horizons and deepen their understanding of music's role in society.
👉 Holistic Musicianship – Students develop as well-rounded musicians by engaging in research, composition, and performance, strengthening their abilities across all aspects of music.
👉 Technological Integration – The course integrates modern music technology, enabling students to engage with digital tools for music creation, production, and performance, preparing them for contemporary music-making.
👉 International Perspective – Music at GESS offers a global approach, with students exploring both familiar and unfamiliar musical traditions and genres, promoting intercultural understanding and global-mindedness.

💠 Core Units
The Music curriculum is structured around three key components:

• Exploring Music in Context – Investigating the social, cultural, and historical contexts of music, and understanding its role in communication and expression.

• Experimenting with Music – Connecting theory to practice by experimenting with different musical material, including composition, improvisation, and performance.

• Presenting Music – Developing presentation skills through rehearsals, performances, and public sharing of musical works, demonstrating both technical proficiency and creative expression.

💠 Assessment
🔸 Internal Assessment (IA) – Students complete a music journal that documents their engagement with diverse musical materials, reflecting on their creative process and development as musicians.
🔸 Examinations

• Paper 1 (SL & HL) – A comparative analysis of musical works, focusing on musical elements, forms, and cultural contexts.

• Paper 2 (SL & HL) – Written and oral presentations evaluating students' musical decisions and processes.

• Paper 3 (HL Only) – An extended music project, where students demonstrate their ability to apply skills learned in a real-life musical context.

💠 Music at GESS: HL vs. SL
🔹 Higher Level (HL): HL students engage in more extensive and in-depth musical projects, including collaboration and the creation of a comprehensive music-making project inspired by real-world practices. They also delve deeper into theoretical and performance aspects of music.
🔹 Standard Level (SL): SL students focus on core music principles, developing skills in musical performance, composition, and analysis, while engaging with a broad range of musical traditions and practices.

At GESS, Music equips students with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in music, arts, and entertainment, while fostering a lifelong appreciation for music as a means of creative expression and global communication.