Discussion What instruments can students find? Project images of the panels from The Evolution of Music for everyone to look at as a class. What instruments did she include and where are they from? Have them also look at the panel of the chorus. What do they notice about this image? What do you think the artist was trying to say about music and culture? Why would this be an appropriate mural for a school classroom? You may want to talk about the artist, as up until this time period it was rare for a female artist to receive a commission to paint a mural, and it was also rare for a woman to have as much professional art training as Bloch had. Application
Have students research their own ancestry and the traditional musical forms and customs that come from their heritage. Students can also research the history and evolution of music. What role does music play in their culture? Plan an international celebration. Students can bring in music, food, and share customs that would be considered traditional of their ancestors and discuss how they are realized today. At the end of the celebration or the next class, facilitate a discussion about diversity, pluralism, and how customs and practices are passed on. As a conclustion to the lesson students will write a reflective essay about a new culture that they learned about.