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.
Step 3: Show Stylistic Variety
IB Music emphasizes breadth. Consider:
- Western classical music: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or 20th-century works.
- Non-Western traditions: Gamelan, Indian classical, African drumming, Chinese guzheng.
- Contemporary genres: Jazz, rock, pop, or film music.
A varied repertoire demonstrates versatility and intercultural awareness, two qualities examiners look for.
Step 4: Consider Cultural and Historical Context
Every piece you choose carries cultural meaning. Be ready to research and reflect on this in your portfolio. For example:
- A Chopin nocturne reflects Romantic ideals of expression and nationalism.
- A raga performance draws from centuries-old Indian improvisational practice.
- A blues piece highlights African American cultural identity and storytelling.
Context deepens your interpretation and strengthens your examiner commentary.
Step 5: Link to Other IB Music Components
Whenever possible, select repertoire that supports your Exploring or Creating work. For example:
- If you are composing with jazz harmony, perform a jazz standard.
- If you are exploring African polyrhythms, include an African-inspired piece in your repertoire.
This cross-component coherence makes your portfolio stronger overall.
Step 6: Meet IB Requirements
Before finalizing your repertoire, double-check IB guidelines:
- Required length of solo and ensemble performances.
- Approved instruments or vocal categories.
- The balance of pieces needed for a complete program.
Meeting requirements avoids unnecessary stress later in the course.
FAQs
1. How many pieces should I prepare for IB Music performance?
The total number depends on your chosen length requirement, but typically students prepare multiple shorter works or a mix of longer and shorter pieces to showcase variety.
2. Do I need to include non-Western music in my repertoire?
It isn’t mandatory, but including at least one non-Western or contemporary piece shows cultural awareness, which is highly valued in IB Music.
3. Should I choose repertoire I already know or learn new pieces?
A mix works best. Familiar repertoire ensures confidence, while new pieces challenge you and show growth.
4. Can I perform my own compositions as part of my repertoire?
Yes, and it can be an excellent choice. Just make sure the piece is polished and examiner-ready, not just a draft or experiment.
Conclusion
Choosing repertoire for IB Music performances is about more than technical difficulty—it’s about highlighting your strengths, showing stylistic and cultural variety, and connecting to the broader IB Music curriculum. By selecting pieces with care, you’ll be able to perform with confidence and impress examiners.
RevisionDojo helps IB Music students choose repertoire strategically, ensuring performances are both examiner-ready and personally meaningful.
RevisionDojo Call to Action
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