IB Music Grad Show Performance (Full)

Summary

In this video, a student showcases their journey and experience in the IB Music course. They discuss the importance of exploring music from diverse perspectives, including composition, research, and cultural analysis. Highlighting the integration of technology in music, they present a composition based on random numbers and a piece inspired by national anthems. They also reflect on the challenges of learning music, particularly in terms of theory, and offer insights into their personal growth throughout the course. The video serves as both a performance and a reflection on their two-year musical journey.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is introducing a music showcase video to make up for the absence of students in live performances and permanent displays.
• 😀 The speaker mentions that music courses are often misunderstood as only focusing on instrumental proficiency, while in reality, they also include research, composition, and cultural studies.
• 😀 The music coursework does not involve written exams, but instead emphasizes practical work, including composition and technological integration.
• 😀 The speaker has composed music using random numbers, which required adjustments to ensure harmony and create a build-up effect.
• 😀 Technology plays a significant role in the music coursework, as students are expected to incorporate tech into their compositions.
• 😀 The speaker showcases their music composition that explores the integration of random numbers into a musical piece, which is part of their music tech coursework.
• 😀 The speaker highlights their research and analysis of music in advertisements and national anthems, as part of their exploration of how music serves various purposes.
• 😀 The speaker presents a composition based on the analysis of the Chinese national anthem and the Indian anthem arranged by a German concert band.
• 😀 The speaker discusses how learning music, especially in IB (International Baccalaureate) music, can be challenging for later starters compared to those who began at a very young age.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of music theory alongside practical skills, and how IB music students often face challenges balancing both aspects.
• 😀 The performance of a new composition from English music demonstrates the speaker’s growth and involvement in the field, with an emphasis on creativity and musical understanding.

Q & A

Why is this video being recorded?

The video is being recorded because many students in the class are unable to attend in person, and the music department does not have permanent activities or recordings available for the public. The video serves as a live performance and a showcase of what the students have learned over the past two years.

What is the unique aspect of the music course being discussed?

The music course is unique because it focuses not only on instrumental skills but also on physical research, composition, and understanding music from various cultural perspectives. Students also incorporate technology into their work, which is a part of their coursework.

What was the most undersubscribed subject in the music program?

Music was one of the most undersubscribed subjects in the program, meaning fewer students chose it compared to other subjects.

What is the main focus of the music course according to the speaker?

The main focus of the course is to provide a broad understanding of music. This includes composition, research, and exploring music from diverse cultures, not just developing proficiency in playing an instrument.

What type of assessments are used in this music program?

The program does not use written tests. Instead, assessments are project-based, requiring students to submit compositions and engage in practical, hands-on work.

What is the significance of the music tech composition that the speaker is showcasing?

The music tech composition is significant because it incorporates random numbers into the music, which adds an element of unpredictability. The speaker also used various filters and sound experiments to create a buildup of pressure within the piece.

What was the process behind composing the tech piece involving random numbers?

The speaker had to modify certain rules to ensure the music remained harmonically sound while still incorporating randomness. This process also involved creating moments of buildup and breakdown in the music.

How does the speaker integrate their understanding of music from different cultures into their work?

The speaker integrates this understanding by analyzing national anthems, such as the Chinese and Indian anthems, and then arranging them in ways that reflect both the cultural context and their own artistic interpretation.

What is the exploration component of the music coursework?

The exploration component involves research and analysis of how music is used in advertisements and nationalistic settings, including understanding how music is designed to support its purpose in different contexts and cultures.

What challenges did the speaker face in their music education?

One of the main challenges the speaker faced was starting their musical journey later than others. This meant they had to catch up compared to peers who had been playing instruments since a young age, making it harder to reach the same level of proficiency.