"A soundscape is any collection of sounds, almost like a painting is a collection of visual attractions," says composer R. Murray Schafer. "When you listen carefully to the soundscape it becomes quite miraculous." David New's portrait of the renowned composer becomes a lesson unto itself, gracing viewers (and listeners) with a singular moment of interactive subjectivity. This film was produced for the 2009 Governor General's Performing Arts Award.
Ages 9 to 14
Arts Education - Music
Civics/Citizenship - Ideologies
Science - Physical Science
Make an anchor chart on “Sound.” View film and add ideas to chart. Have students use words from chart to create a short written piece or make a collage. Have students produce a 60-second sound clip using different types of sounds: music, animals, ambient noise, digital sources. Include a log of sounds used and the desired effect/impact of the sounds. Discuss the statement “We are the composers.”