IB Program and Music

team_mom · 03-01-2008, 10:44 PM

I've noticed that some music CCers have lately mentioned being in the IB Program. (International Baccalaureate) I'm curious how many music kids are involved in IB? My S is one of only 3 serious music students at his school in the IB program (out of 40 or 50 IB students.)

Additionally, how has anyone incorporate their music interests into their IB extended essays? S and his 2 music friends are juniors, exploring ideas for their essays. Would love to hear what others have done!

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.

team_mom · 03-02-2008, 07:36 AM

Wow! How fortunate and wonderful that you have theory, aural skills and performance as part of your IB program! Ours has no music. S and his friends travel to NYC every Saturday to Juilliard pre-college for that. I'm not complaining-they are very happy there and look forward to it each week, but it makes for a long weekend.

S wanted to take HL in Physics, but he is in AB/IB Physics now, and is not allowed to take HL test as a junior-the course yes, the test, no. I should look into that! Which means, of course, that he will be doing HL next year in chem, math & English - while auditioning for schools. He knows it will be a bear, but he is used to balancing commitments (he is in 10 ensembles & orchestras at this moment) I hadn't really thought about it until you mentioned it, I always let him handle his own commitments, but perhaps I should press him to cut back a bit next year.

What a fascinating essay topic. Where did your son find resources for his research?

Singersmom07 · 03-02-2008, 08:18 AM

stringfollies you are indeed fortunate. DD could not pursue the IB degree in her school and stay in the performing group all 4 years. There simply was no way to schedule it and get the rest in. She elected to take as many IB courses as she could fit in, but not the degree. Her HS did not begin the performance focussed IB music class until this year, the year after she graduated. Even still, current students have trouble staying in the HS performance groups and doing the IB degree.

stringfollies · 03-02-2008, 10:53 AM

It's good and it's bad. For my S, the stress of spending all day on Saturday in Baltimore (an hour a way) at the Peabody Prep was too much combined with a heavy school load and practising. He wasn't doing any of it to the level he wanted and was tired all the time. So this year (senior year) he is not doing Peabody. It has been even more work, but more effective and less tiring. The down side is a year without significant ensemble involvement. Some kids have more stamina, I guess. This is what worked for him. Hopefully, he'll get into a great school with tons of ensemble in the curriculum for next year!

symphonymom · 03-02-2008, 08:53 PM

Stringfollies...is your son applying to conservatories or colleges? We don't have an IB program at S's school...but the AP load at his private school is extremely intense (the teachers take it up and way beyond). S juggled heavy academics and music all four years (and counting). He also needs a lot of sleep. He's not one of these kids who can stay up until 3 am and then get up at 6. He has to be in bed by 11. It was extremely tough and we totally feel your pain. I'm hoping it will be easier in college when he has a little more say over his course selection. I wish your S the best!

stringfollies · 03-03-2008, 06:15 AM

symphonymom--

my son is applying to both. he was going to go straight to music, but in the fall it wasn't clear that he would get in so we fanned out and he's made a lot of applications to both lacs and to music schools. if he isn't satisfied with the music school results, he will either do college or take a gap year to continue studying with his great teacher. at the moment, we are feeling quite hopeful as he's had some good signals at a coupe of schools. but....we're waiting.....

funny - my son needs sleep too or he gets sick. he really has practically no social life this year. it's hard, but he knows that it is not going to be this way forever. it has given him an amazing work ethic which he'll carry with him whatever he does.

Hunt · 03-03-2008, 12:24 PM

My son is a junior in an IB program. It took some juggling, and an online health course, for him to stay in Jazz Ensemble in 11 and 12. He will be taking IB Music HL next year. (He was able to skip AP Music Theory because of a summer program.) His Extended Essay (as of right now) will be a comparison of a couple of works of Bartok and Grainger.

stringfollies · 03-03-2008, 02:03 PM

team mom - if you son is at Julliard Prep, he can probably use their library. mine used Peabody's to research his EE.