IB Music is an engaging and flexible course that explores music from multiple roles — as a researcher, creator and performer. You’ll study a diverse range of musical styles and traditions, while developing your own musical voice through creating, performing, and reflecting. The course encourages curiosity, cultural awareness, and personal expression.
Musical analysis and interpretation
Composing and arranging music
Performance skills on your chosen instrument or voice
Understanding of music in personal, local, and global contexts
Critical reflection and self-assessment
Collaboration and time management
The course is organised into four key areas of inquiry:
Music for Sociocultural and Political Expression
Music for Listening and Performance
Music for Dramatic Impact, Movement, and Entertainment
Music technology in the electronic and digital age
You’ll engage with a wide range of musical material, which cover the four areas of inquiry.
You will submit three musical assessment components:
Exploring music
Experimenting with music
Presenting music
Standard Level (SL):
Exploring Music in Context (30%) 24 marks allotted
● musical diversity and breadth should be evidenced in BALANCED and AUTHENTIC ways
● portfolio of written work (maximum 2400 words)
● one creating exercise
● one performed adaptation from a local or global context for the student’s OWN instrument
(different AOI than the creating exercise)
Experimenting with Music (30%) 28 marks allotted
● features experiments with unfamiliar or less familiar musical material based on selected
stimuli
● report (maximum 1500 words) explaining the process of musical experimentation
● three related experimentation excerpts as a creator (the process of developing ideas)
● three related experimentation excerpts as a performer (the process of developing ideas)
Presenting Music (40%) 38 marks allotted
● present music to communicate the artistic intentions of completed works
● coherent, informative programme notes (600 words) as a holistic summary
● demonstrate a holistic and well-rounded musician
● work towards technical proficiency to express meaning through creating connections and
performing practices
Tertiary Courses: Music Performance, Music Composition, Music Education, Sound Design, Musicology, Arts Management
Careers: Performer, Composer, Music Teacher, Sound Engineer, Music Therapist, Arts Administrator, Music Journalist
This subject supports pathways into creative industries, performing arts, and education, and develops transferable skills valuable in any career.