As you may be aware, stage 4 students have been studying the topic of popular culture this term, with the driving question “How is power used?” In music, students have explored this concept by learning about the power of music and the influence lyrics and protest songs have on people and society.
Over the past couple of weeks we have studied the music and lyrics of Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind and Cold Chisel’s Khe Sahn. Exploring the messages of these lyrics, students have gained a deeper appreciation of the meaning behind the words and the importance of music in raising awareness of issues occurring in the world.
The students’ assessment task, due next week, involves working collaboratively to create a protest song on any theme or issue the group is passionate about. Students have collated their knowledge of structure and performing media studied last term, to create and compose their own protest song. This term students have learned about the role of performing media (melodic, harmonic, rhythmic) and the importance this concept has in creating the drive and structure in the music. Additionally, students have had the opportunity to experiment with the guitar and use this as part of their composition.
On Thursday, having completed a session in music creating their protest songs, the students attended a cyber bullying presentation where they observed the consequences of bullying and inappropriate use of digital media. Leaving that presentation, students seemed to have made a significant connection to this issue through the combination of the presentation, studying the power of lyrics in music and the English text, The Terrible Fate of Humpty Dumpy, in which a student dies as a result of bullying.
This sends a vital message to students, and even adults, that we as people really do have the power, the power to change our world and individual lives to lead a more positive and influential life.
I really look forward to listening to the compositions of the students’ protest songs and the messages they are passionate about promoting. The power of music equals the power of people. We have the power to change!
Happy Weekend 🙂
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