Music is a universal language that connects people across cultures, faiths, and experiences. In schools, music plays an important role in assemblies and classroom discussions, opening doors to exploration, empathy, and understanding. This week, we focus on a remarkable step forward for diversity and inclusion in music education. Sikh Sacred Music Added to Music Exam Syllabus After a ten-year campaign, music exam boards have announced that Sikh sacred music, known as Kirtan, will now be included in their syllabus. Kirtan will be examined alongside more familiar Western instruments such as the violin and various percussion instruments. This milestone was achieved through persistent efforts led by Dr Harjinder Lallie, co-director of the Gurmat Sangeet Academy in Birmingham. The inclusion signifies recognition of a rich musical tradition and provides new opportunities for students to explore and celebrate cultural diversity through music. Exploring This Week’s Theme in School To engage students, begin by examining this week's poster, which displays Sikh children performing during Nagar Kirtan—a significant religious procession for the Sikh community. Encourage children to describe the image and make predictions about its story. Personal Connections to Music Music is deeply personal. Ask students to reflect on what types of music they enjoy and how they feel when listening. Consider how their musical choices might change with their mood—for example, upbeat music at a party or calmer tunes when feeling reflective. Invite them to share if they like singing or playing instruments. Discussion can also touch on how music helps us understand other cultures by exploring unfamiliar sounds and traditions. The Power of Shared Musical Experiences Have students recall recent encounters with music, such as lessons, at home, or in public spaces. Discuss who they were with and how those moments felt. Resource activities suggest looking at different ways people experience music—together or alone—and how these experiences foster connection. Even solitary listening can help us reflect, relax, or organise our thoughts, ultimately improving our empathy towards others. Empathy and Music Introduce the concept of empathy and ask students to share their understanding. Explore how music develops empathy by helping us relate to others' emotions and bringing people closer, even those from different backgrounds. Discovering Musical Instruments Across Cultures Encourage students to name, group, and discuss musical instruments, noting those used in Sikh sacred music—such as the harmonium, sarangi, tabla, and dilruba. Compare these with instruments they already know. Invite students to listen, imitate sounds, and explore differences and similarities. This activity opens opportunities to discuss global musical influences—have they heard music from another country? What did it sound like, and how did it make them feel? For younger students, consider how music brings people together. Older pupils can explore specific instruments in Sikh sacred music and discuss broader themes like music’s impact on our lives. Music as a Reflection and Connection Tool Music surrounds us—in assemblies, at home, and in our communities. It helps us connect more deeply to ourselves and to others, strengthens bonds, and expands our understanding of global cultures and faiths. Practical Classroom Activities Option 1: Move to the Music Play a variety of music in class—pop, Kirtan, Bollywood, classical and more. Invite children to close their eyes and notice how each style makes them feel. Share those feelings with the group and then dance freely to the music. The type of movement should match the music’s pace, with no right or wrong way to participate. Option 2: Make Your Own Instrument Challenge students to create their own instruments from classroom supplies or materials from home, like bottles or paper tubes. Consider what sound each instrument will make, how it should be played, and how to decorate it. Afterwards, try playing these instruments together and discuss music from different countries by researching instruments that originate across the world. Older students can extend this by looking up instruments by material, origin, or historical significance. Option 3: Choreograph a Class Dance Organise a vote to select music for a class dance. Choreograph the performance as a group, taking suggestions and dividing up sections. Discuss aspects such as level (high or low moves), unison (everyone together) vs. cannon (sequential movement), and direction. Consider performing for other classes or inviting families—bringing more people together through music and movement. Key Vocabulary for the Week Devotional: An act of showing love for something important in a religion. Kirtan: Sikh devotional music, often performed during religious gatherings or processions. Procession: A group walking together for a special religious or cultural event. Sacred: Something very special or important, especially in a religious context. Scripture: A holy book or set of religious writings. Syllabus: The subjects or content included in a course. Universal: For everyone, everywhere; applicable all around the world. Reflection Music is a powerful force that brings people together, teaches us about other cultures and beliefs, and helps us connect both in joy and in sorrow. It is a source of shared memories, an important aspect of faiths, and an ever-present part of daily life. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
