The study of music encourages inquiry into creative practices and performance processes. Music study develops listening, creative and analytical skills, as well as encouraging cultural understanding and international-mindedness. In this way, music is a catalyst for expanding critical thinking—a crucial life skill. When we understand others and ourselves through music, we are empowered to make positive and effective change in the world.

In this course, students and teachers engage in a journey of imagination and discovery through partnership and collaboration. Students develop and affirm their unique musical identities while expanding and refining their musicianship.

Throughout the course, students are encouraged to explore music in varied and sometimes unfamiliar contexts. Additionally, by experimenting with music, students gain hands-on experience while honing musical skills. Through realising and presenting samples of their musical work with others, students also learn to communicate critical and artistic intentions and purpose.

Exploring Music in Context

When exploring music in context, students will learn how to engage with a diverse range of music that will broaden their musical horizons and provide stimuli to expand their own music-making. Students will demonstrate diversity and breadth in their exploration by engaging with music from the areas of inquiry in personal, local and global contexts.

Experimenting With Music

When experimenting with music, students connect theoretical studies to practical work and gain a deeper understanding of the music they engage with. Through this theoretical and practical work as researchers, creators and performers, students will learn to experiment with a range of musical material and stimuli from the areas of inquiry across local and global contexts.

Presenting Music

When presenting music, students learn to practise and prepare finished pieces that will be performed or presented to an audience. In working towards completed musical works, students expand their musical identity, demonstrate their level of musicianship, and learn to share and communicate their music as researchers, creators and performers.

The Contemporary Music Maker (HL only)

Music at higher level (HL) builds on the learning of musical competencies and challenges students to engage with the musical processes in settings of contemporary music-making. For the HL component, students plan and collaboratively create a project that draws on the competencies, skills and processes in all of the musical roles of the music course, and is inspired by real-life practices of music-making. 

HL or SL

Both standard level (SL) and higher level (HL) music students are required to study musical perception. All students therefore submit a musical links investigation and also respond to a listening examination paper. In the latter, HL students are required to answer a further two questions. 

SL students in music are required to choose one of two options:

• SL creating (SLC)
• SL solo performing (SLS)

HL students are required to present both creating and solo performing.

Distinction between SL and HL

The syllabus differentiates between SL and HL. The greater breadth and depth required for HL is reflected through an additional assessment task. This task requires HL students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the core syllabus areas by formulating and communicating intentions for a project that is based on:

• real-life practices of music-making
• their experiences as developing musicians in this course
• their collaboration with others.

Prior Musical Experience

Students must play a musical instrument to grade 4 standard or above. At HL it is strongly recommended that students have completed IGCSE Music and perform to at least grade 6 standard or above on one musical instrument. A strong understanding of Music Writing and Music Theory.