How to Encourage Sustainability Through Music Teaching

As part of our ‘This Is Not A Rehearsal’ campaign, Music Mark commissioned a research project to assess environmental sustainability within UK music services, education hubs and partner organisations. Undertaken by UCL’s Department of Culture, Communication and Media, the report highlighted a range of fantastic work taking place across the music education sector to make sustainable changes. The following case studies from Oxfordshire County Music Service, Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hub and Portsmouth Music Service- demonstrate some of the different approaches music organisations can take to embed sustainability into their work. 

Oxfordshire County Music Service: Young Singers Concert at Oxford University Museum of Natural History

This one-term project involved all three Oxfordshire County Music Service (OCMS) Young Singers choirs (around 80 Key Stage 2 children in total) and culminated in a concert for parents at the museum.

The theme was biodiversity and extinction, and most of the songs we chose related directly to exhibits in the museum, including the famous dodo, an extinct dinosaur and a selection of beautiful British butterflies. The final song, about the museum building itself, and the colony of swifts which nest under the eaves, was written specially a member of OCMS staff. Each choir visited the museum early in the term for a handling session and introduction to the displays with the museum’s Education Officer. We then came back at the end of the term for the concert. The museum, which was envisaged by its Victorian architect as a ‘temple of science’, has a wonderful cathedral-like acoustic, and it was incredible to perform our songs in the presence of the very things we were singing about.

The aim of the project was for the visit to deepen the children’s understanding of the songs, and for the songs to deepen their engagement with the museum exhibits and the natural world, and we felt it did this really successfully. It was particularly special for our Banbury Young Singers group, most of whom had never visited the museum before. We were really grateful for the Museum’s generous support, including staff time to show us around and the use of the space for our concert.

With thanks to Oxfordshire County Music Service and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Biosphere Big Sing

The Biosphere Big Sing event celebrated the Isle of Wight’s achievement in obtaining UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. This status underscored the island’s unique biodiversity and heritage, emphasising the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability. The project incorporated the 17 UN Sustainability Development Goals, focusing on actions to protect the biosphere, such as reducing single-use plastics, recycling, and using sustainable transport. Over 900 pupils from nine schools participated, performing songs written by Hub composer Jo Downs. The songs, including ‘Cheer For The Biosphere’ and ‘Protect Our Island’, were designed to be catchy and engaging, with lyrics that celebrated the island’s biodiversity and promoted sustainability. The song ‘Protect Our Island’ specifically lists ten actions derived from these goals, encouraging behaviours like planting trees, conserving water, and exploring local nature. The lyrics of ‘Cheer For The Biosphere’ also highlighted the island’s diverse wildlife and natural beauty, promoting awareness and appreciation of the environment. The event featured weeks of workshops and rehearsals, culminating in a large performance at Brown’s Golf Course in Sandown. The musical performances were complemented by beautiful flags and set dressing provided by Shademakers, an international carnival company.

The Biosphere Big Sing was a collaborative effort involving several organisations: Isle of Wight Music Hub, Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), now known as IW National Landscapes, Shademakers, English Heritage, and Brown’s Golf Course. The event showcased the power of collaboration and community involvement in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability through music and education. It was a testament to the collective effort of various organisations and individuals working together to celebrate and protect the Isle of Wight’s unique biosphere, and to raise awareness among young people to safeguard it for the future.

With thanks to Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hub

Youth Voice

Portsmouth Music Service actively involves children and young people in the inspiration and creation of environmentally themed songs by incorporating youth perspectives and ideas into the songwriting process.

Through initiatives like the One World campaign, which focuses on environmental awareness, the Hub’s team of award-winning composers have developed a collection of songs addressing a range of environmental topics. The themes were requested by children, young people and their schools in response to key contemporary environmental issues and concerns. The aim has been to compose songs that resonate with young audiences, encouraging them to reflect on, engage with, and take action on environmental issues.

This campaign, which has won national and international awards, integrates the voices and insights of children and young people into the music, aiming to create and use songs that are both educational and relatable, fostering a deeper connection between children and young people and the pressing environmental challenges of their time.

With thanks to Portsmouth Music Service

Don’t forget to visit the This Is Not A Rehearsal webpage to explore more news, training & events, resources and research to support you on your sustainability journey.