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stringfollies · 03-01-2008, 11:50 PM

Hi Team_Mom --

My son is in an international school (in the states) which has an all-IB Diploma program. One of his 3 higher level courses is HL Music with a performance emphasis. I don't know whether your school offers this, but it has been very valuable. It has given him a strong foundation in music theory, ear training, music history and analysis. The music fundamentals testing at the music schools to which he has applied have been a breeze and he'll go into music school very comfortable with all the academic courses there - I understand they are a shock for some students. There is also a performance aspect to the HL Music (I think it's 25-50% of his score - can't remember).

He is a violinist and loves Bach. He wrote his extended essay on the Chaconne. It was challenging, but a good experience for him as he is studying the Chaconne.

The downside has been that the academic load is very heavy. He also is taking HL Chemistry which is a complete bear and I would recommend against it. He loves Chemistry, but has frequently had to choose between finishing a difficult assignment and practising. Any of the other sciences would have been far less time-consuming. He wishes he had done physics instead. HL math is very difficult unless you're really into analytical math.

The IB program generally has a strong respect for the arts and this has been reflected in the very supportive environment he has had from the school particularly during the audition season - he has missed tons of school and his teachers have really helped him to keep up.

It has definitely been a stretch for him, but we figure that it will give him a good academic foundation if he only does music after this.

03-01-2008, 11:50 PM	#2
stringfollies Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: washington, dc Threads: 7 Posts: 305	My S is doing an IB Diploma Hi Team_Mom -- My son is in an international school (in the states) which has an all-IB Diploma program. One of his 3 higher level courses is HL Music with a performance emphasis. I don't know whether your school offers this, but it has been very valuable. It has given him a strong foundation in music theory, ear training, music history and analysis. The music fundamentals testing at the music schools to which he has applied have been a breeze and he'll go into music school very comfortable with all the academic courses there - I understand they are a shock for some students. There is also a performance aspect to the HL Music (I think it's 25-50% of his score - can't remember). He is a violinist and loves Bach. He wrote his extended essay on the Chaconne. It was challenging, but a good experience for him as he is studying the Chaconne. The downside has been that the academic load is very heavy. He also is taking HL Chemistry which is a complete bear and I would recommend against it. He loves Chemistry, but has frequently had to choose between finishing a difficult assignment and practising. Any of the other sciences would have been far less time-consuming. He wishes he had done physics instead. HL math is very difficult unless you're really into analytical math. The IB program generally has a strong respect for the arts and this has been reflected in the very supportive environment he has had from the school particularly during the audition season - he has missed tons of school and his teachers have really helped him to keep up. It has definitely been a stretch for him, but we figure that it will give him a good academic foundation if he only does music after this.