Lessons Nine to Twelve
(Option B): Canadian Identity

•understand and model respect for other people by acknowledging the importance of their language, history and culture (CEL: PSVS)

Many Canadian families today do not maintain a connection with a particular cultural tradition or heritage. However, many people believe that, even though Canada is a diverse and multi-cultural community, it has a particular cultural and artistic identity that is unique. This particular identity defines the country as Canada and sets it apart from other countries around the world. How do students think people around the world view Canada and Canadian culture? What symbols, characteristics and artistic expressions define us as being uniquely Canadian?

Individual students, pairs or groups could research the broad concept of Canadian cultural identity and its implications for music in Canada. They should present a report or put together an alternative method of presentation.

•discover relationships and patterns (CEL: CCT)

Students might start by examining the visual art work entitled "Yankee Go Home: The Rape of St. Catharine" by Ontario artist John Boyle. A reproduction of this art work appears in the slide kit Ideas and Inspiration: Contemporary Canadian Art. The title of the work conveys the artist's conviction that Canada's sovereignty has been lost to the United States.

Although all of the arts are affected by Canadian cultural issues, students should focus this research project on the importance of music to Canada's cultural identity, the current state of the music industry in Canada, and various implications for musicians and consumers in the future.

•use the concepts of probability to enhance understanding (CEL: N)

Ask students to list songs, music and musicians that are representative of Canadian culture. Have them try to estimate the percentage of the music they listen to that is Canadian.

Ask the students to brainstorm and identify important issues they could examine in their research projects. What are some of the most important issues for the survival of a Canadian cultural identity and for the future of music and the music industry in Canada? How difficult is it for musicians and composers to maintain an adequate standard of living in Canada? What was the recording industry like before the advent of independent labels? What effects has the emergence of independent recording companies had on Canadian musicians and consumers?

•understand the meaning of precision and determine the most appropriate degree of precision for a particular task (CEL: N)

Have students design a "listening log" for their reports. Keep track of the number of times each student hears Canadian music, perhaps during specific time periods over a two or three-day period. Students should include a brief description of the pieces (type of music). The log could note Canadian music heard in the home on T.V. and radio, and in cars and public environments.

•consider available evidence before drawing conclusions and developing generalizations (CEL: CCT)

In summary, ask students to reflect on questions such as the following: How much difficulty did they have determining if the music they heard was Canadian? How were they able to make the distinction? What role does the media play in identifying Canadian music? How often is this done by the media? How important is it to make this distinction or is it unnecessary in today's global community? If we are unable to recognize or identify Canadian music, what short and long-term effects could this have on Canadian music and the recording industry? How would this lack of awareness ultimately affect Canada's cultural identity?

•collect and organize quantitative information into a list, table, graph or chart, and analyse this information to determine a conclusion (CEL: N)

Create a chart to represent the information gathered in the listening logs. For examples of listening logs, consult the Media Studies resources listed in the Arts Education bibliography, such as Mass Media and Popular Culture. Other resources such as Music: Its Role and Importance in our Lives can also be helpful.

If possible, invite to the classroom a musician, composer, guest speaker from the community, or a member of a provincial or national arts organization. Speakers might include local or touring musicians and composers, or members of the Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association, Saskatchewan Council of Cultural Organizations or the national arts organization called the Canadian Conference of the Arts. Ask the guest to talk about the challenges facing Canadian artists in the face of powerful American, international and multi-national media, production companies and distribution networks. Guest musicians might be interested in talking about their work and views about issues such as merchandising, concert tour promotion and the effects of ticket distribution monopolies.

•explore the technical, social and cultural implications of present technology and of impending technological developments (CEL: TL)

Ask the guest to address the question, "Where do we go from here?". For example, some people fear that the advances in technology will put performers out of work. Speakers might be asked to comment on the positive and negative effects of the increased use of recorded music in nightclubs. They could also address the effects of new technology and computers on the work and careers of musicians and other members of the recording industry.

Discussions such as these could lead to the study of the work of German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen, who is one of the most influential composers in modern music. He is a pioneer of electronic music who studied with other music pioneers such as Pierre Boulez and Olivier Messiaen. Episode 10 from the video series entitled Clip Art contains an excerpt on Messiaen that could serve as an introduction to music pioneers.

Student Presentations

•continue to develop problem-solving and decision-making abilities when working individually or in a co-operative group

•seek alternative ways of responding to activities, projects or assignments (CEL: CCT)

Ask the students to do research projects on the topic of Canadian identity. Although teachers may request a written report from each student, the research projects need not be presented in a traditional manner. Students should be encouraged to present their findings and opinions in innovative ways, incorporating music where possible. For example, one report might be presented as a television talk show with a panel and audience participation or as an open line radio show. Another report may be in the form of a promotional video or publication urging support for the music industry in Canada. Another report might take place in a futuristic Canada and include a reflection on Canada's cultural survival or demise. Another report might be in the form of a song, written by the group from a distinctly Canadian cultural perspective.