INCORPORATING CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS THROUGH MUSIC
Mr. Noel Kerr S. Caneda
Choral Conductor, Camaya-an National High School
Bohol, Philippines
https://youtu.be/7BsooUDPtKw
Maayong buntag sa inyong tanan!
Before I start my presentation, I would like to thank Ma’am Mayette (Biliran) for inviting us here. As a Music Teacher, I graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree. But I didn’t expect to be here. I was not growing as an artist. I am a probationary teacher.
I would like to ask: who among here are musicians? Can read notes? Can sing? This is my point of view of climate change in terms of music. During my elementary years, my teacher, bago magsimula ng klase (before we start our discussion), we would sing.
Music plays a very important role in our society and in our environment. Among all the arts, it is only music that affects the ethos at 100%. Ethos is soul. Ano ba ang basehan, ‘di ba pag may na-touch tayo sa music? (Isn’t the basis for this is when we were able to touch people with our music?). There are times that musicians ay magaling, pero kulang sa puso (are super talented, but they lack compassion).
Do you know that the type of music that we have at present is one of the factors affecting climate change? Are you aware of that? I would like to cite the song “Buwan”: “Sa ilalim ng puting ilaw…”
Because music is evolving… “Wala ka bang napapansin…” We cannot stop climate change. We are delaying the inevitable. It’s a natural phenomenon.
There’s a song by Ryan Cayabyab, “Paraiso.” ‘Di na yan alam ng mga bata ngayon (Kids these days aren’t familiar with this song): “Return to a land called paraiso, a place where a dying river ends.”
In your own words or point of view, to deepen your understanding of music that affects the ethos, to heal and understand the environment. What is music to you?
Medicine for the soul.
Music is life
The language of the soul
Relaxes my spirit. Gives me inspiration.
For me, like any art form, music can change our approach to the changing world, communicate climate change, and help to process emotions. Like music in general, music about climate change affects the listeners in many ways. Music provides pleasure and meaningful experiences. Music encourages creativity and coping, such as in music therapy—for example, abused children can be exposed to music. Music encourages cooperation. Improving musical skills increases perseverance and resilience which are also important in climate change mitigation.
Now, ang gagawin nating activity (here’s what we’ll do). I want you to create a choral world. Because I am a choral conductor, I will create a choir out of you.
We will separate the boys from the girls. (Participants switch seats.)
Who are members of choirs here? Nag-vocalization kayo? (Are you familiar with vocalization?) We will do vocalization.
Ma, mo, ma, mo, ma (singing) Diba pag nagsasalita tayo, may transformation na nangyayari sa faces? (Don’t our faces go through transformation whenever we talk?) Itaas ang kilay and smile. Raise your eyebrow and smile. So how does it feel?
I formulated an exercise, similar to what Ma’am Mia did.
Sing Hello.
Hello- o-o-o oh!
You can also do this in class, and separate the boys from the girls in class.
Now let’s put body movements.
Now we have a MaPSA choir!
Here is another song. It is like a sentence.
Hey You, see me (boys)
Why not therefore (girls)
When, (boys)
then. (girls)
We will now sing it, but in a sad manner.
Hey You, see me (boys)
Why not therefore (girls)
When, (boys)
then. (girls)
Now, sing it in a happy manner, faster.
Hey You, see me (boys)
Why not therefore (girls)
When, (boys)
then. (girls)
Now, because climate change ang pinag-uusapan natin, gumawa ako ng song (Now, since we’re on the topic of climate change, I’ve composed a song).
Whether the weather may be hot,
whether the weather may be cold,
whether the weather,
whatever the weather,
whether you like it or not.