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Nature of the Subject

Embracing Diversity

In a nutshell, the IB Music DP Programme is designed in such a way as to investigate diverse global societies and cultures, thus fostering a better understanding of the world and one's role in it. The study of music is intended to develop critical thinking skills both personally and collaboratively.

Familiarity Spectrum

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Students are encouraged to connect the familiar with the unfamiliar. They address this process through three different roles: as a researcher, as a creator, and as a performer.

The image below provides a snapshot of the roles in the IB Music Program and an overview of the details within each of them. 

Process of Inquiry

Photo by Steven Wright on Unsplash

Through the inquiry process, students learn to develop their own creative and performing processes and become internationally minded. This process needs to be documented in the student's music journal (see Journaling). The inquiry process is embedded within the practice of four recognised Areas of Inquiry (AoIs).

These are meant to act as a catalyst in developing more thought-provoking, richer questions towards understanding a student's relationship with their own music world. In this way, the student will be encouraged to be a self-sufficient and independent learner. See The Areas of Inquiry for more information. 

Contexts - Personal, Local and Global

Photo by James Bold on Unsplash

Finally, students are guided to look at music through different contextual lenses. In this way, they seek to connect the familiar with the unfamiliar thus enhancing their own musical understanding and outlook on the world.


Tags: #musicalroles, #areasofinquiry, #contexts

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