Tunes from the Land: Can Folk Music Cultivate Awareness and Respect for Nature?

This basic qualitative research study explores ecoliterate approaches to instrumental music education, focusing on cultivating environmental awareness through using folk music to address a disconnect from nature in educational contexts in the United Kingdom. Drawing from both research literature and personal experience, the study involved planning and delivering violin lessons designed to foster ecoliteracy in young people. By focusing on the intersection of environmental and folk music education, the project aimed to develop a closer relationship between students and their environment: in particular, a sense of place. Two violin students, aged 12 and 14, were selected as participants for the study. Data was collected through informal post-lesson conversations, which were audio-recorded and transcribed, alongside lesson observations and reflections, then analysed using thematic analysis. The key themes that emerged were: Oral Tradition, Connection to Place, Instruments, Teaching Environment, and Student Development. Examining the students' experiences provided insights into how instrumental music teachers can incorporate ecoliteracy into their pedagogy. This study offers practical suggestions to foster ecoliteracy, such as the use of oral learning, improvisation based on natural sounds, and exploration of local music. These findings will be of interest to music educators seeking to enrich their curriculum with the aim of supporting a more ecologically aware generation.