Introduction
Selecting repertoire for your IB Music performances is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the course. The repertoire you choose not only shapes your performance experience but also determines how effectively you can showcase your skills, cultural awareness, and interpretive depth.
Examiners aren’t simply looking for technically difficult pieces—they want to see thoughtful choices that highlight your strengths and demonstrate variety. This guide will walk you through strategies for selecting repertoire that aligns with IB expectations while allowing you to shine as a musician.
Quick Start Checklist for Repertoire Selection
- Choose music you enjoy and feel connected to.
- Balance technical difficulty with playability.
- Include stylistic and cultural variety.
- Ensure pieces allow for expressive interpretation.
- Check that repertoire meets IB length and level requirements.
- Link your repertoire to your Exploring and Creating components when possible.
Step 1: Play to Your Strengths
Your repertoire should showcase what you do best. For example:
- If you have strong technical agility, choose a fast-paced piece to highlight it.
- If you excel at lyrical phrasing, select a slow, expressive piece.
- If you’re confident in rhythm, explore styles with complex patterns like jazz or Latin music.
Examiners want to see confident performances, so pick pieces that fit your skills.
Step 2: Balance Challenge and Feasibility
It’s tempting to choose the hardest piece you can find, but examiners value polished, stylistically accurate performances over half-finished struggles. Choose music that challenges you without being overwhelming. A slightly easier piece performed expressively will score higher than a virtuoso piece performed sloppily.
