Teacher's Guide for Wilderness Music

“Sound and Listening are intimately connected with the passing of time and therefore with how time is spent, how life is lived.”

- Hildegard Westerkamp

Discussion questions for Highschool/College Students:

Before you listen:

• How are music and nature related?
• Can you recall your most distinctive sound memory?

After you listen:

• How did this audio piece change how you think about music?
• Did it change how you think about nature?
• Did it change how you view the role of a musician?
• Are there any concepts, people, or pieces of music you are curious to look up?
• Do you think about listening in a new way? If so, how do you think you can become a better listener, and why is that important?
• What sounds do you want to preserve?
• If you are a musician how do you think you can use your talents to make an impact?
• Describe how music relates to sustainability, both environmentally and culturally.
• If you are not a musician how do your interests, talents, and craft relate to nature? How can you use these to move towards a better future for humans and the environment?

Further Reading:

-The Book of Music and Nature: An Anthology of Sounds, Words, Thoughts by David Rothenberg

-Music and the Skillful Listener: American Women Compose the Natural World by Denise Von Glahn

-Current Directions in Ecomusicoloty: Music, Culture, Nature editors Aaron S. Allen and Kevin Dawe

-The Great Animal Orchestra: Finding the Origins of Music in the World’s Wild Places by Bernie Krause

- http://sustainablemusic.blogspot.com/ Blog by Jeff Todd Titon

- http://www.ecomusicology.info/resources/ecomusicology-review/ Ecomusicology Newsletter

Please send any feedback or responses to education@wuol.org. We’d love to hear from you!