On a more philosophical level, students learnt an
thus gave responsibility and ownership to them. It also
important lesson in how skills and knowledge from
involved time and energy commitment from ourselves,
different subject disciplines can be used meaningfully
but has left us thirsty to explore the link between music
together.
cultural
and maths more fully. In the words of Guns and Roses (in
traditions, we felt that students were able to connect their
Raising
awareness
of
different
the Greek Mixolydian form), ‘Where do we go, where do
understanding and experience to ancient civilisations. Our
we go now, where do we go ….. ’?
use of the Mayan, Greek and Arabic cultures ignited their
Bibliography
interest of these cultures and some students investigated different aspects of these civilisations. Throughout the unit, we frequently used examples of current songs to
Guns N’ Roses,1988. Sweet Child o’ Mine. In: Appetite for
illustrate different techniques and different modes.
destruction [Format CD]. Record label Geffen.
Students really enjoyed discovering that Lorde, Maroon 5, The Beatles and The Ramones all make use of different
IBO, 2010. Middle Years Programme MYP guide to
modes coming from the Greek and Arabic traditions.
interdisciplinary teaching and learning, IBO.
For example in the Greek Mixolydian mode we can find songs by Guns and Roses, Madonna, The Rolling Stones,
About the authors
Gorillaz, Coldplay, and Radiohead. We questioned whether this was a conscious decision. In terms of accomplishing the aims of inter-disciplinary learning, our students certainly used skills in transferable ways. They learnt how bringing together aspects of two different subject disciplines to one task, could deepen their understanding and ability to connect with and produce an outcome. As music forms a meaningful aspect
Francesco
Banchini
is
an
experienced
leader,
of all our students’ lives, through the modern music
educator, researcher, composer and performer, having
they share and listen to, students were automatically
implemented many innovations in international schools.
intrigued and interested to find a ‘reason’ as to why their
He has published many CDs, a book on historical musical
emotions respond as they do, why they like the music they
notation, and movie soundtracks. He plays freelance with
like? Given the absolute nature of mathematics, there
the Qatar and BBC Philharmonic Orchestras and holds
was a great attraction to use such an ‘objective’ tool to
an MA in Educational Leadership and Management
answer such a ‘subjective’ emotional reaction. One of the
(University of Bath) and a Certificate in Advanced
discussions which will stay with us was a discussion about
Educational Leadership (Harvard University).
how much our culture ‘trained’ our ears to find certain sounds consonant. We considered whether members of an isolated tribe, who only ever heard natural forest sounds and used their own musical instruments, would also have the same ideas about which notes sound consonant and dissonant. This led us to question if the very nature of consonance and dissonance is culturally specific. What are the implications of us living in a globally connected
Lynda Thompson is the Deputy Head (Pastoral) at
world where music is shared in every corner of the world
Greengates School in Mexico, having previously held
and certain music is ‘accepted’?
posts as DP Coordinator and Head of Mathematics. She has worked in both UK and international schools and
We feel that the process of developing and exploring an
recently completed her MA in International Education at
IDU between music and maths originated in a genuine
the University of Bath.
interest of our own, was meaningful for the students, and
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