Music has always been a wonderful vehicle through which people, both individually and communally, can find meaning, solace, peace, excitement, wonder, escape, etc.

In this blog you can share how you understand the idea of 'encountering conflict' through music. Using the shared class BLIP.fm account you can contribute to creating an archive of songs that relate to the context. When you add a song to the playlist you will need to post a blog that outlines your reasons for presenting it. Where appropriate, quote lyrics in your discussion. If BLIP.fm does not have what you want, write about your song and use a hyperlink to direct people to a place where they can access it. If you have original music that you would like to share BLIP.fm has features that should allow you to upload it.

NB: You must adhere to copyright guidelines.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Whispering Jack is back - again. John Farnham is itching to get back on stage after his experience of performing with Coldplay at the Bushfire Aid concerts. Seeing footage of his career in the media lately reminded me what great songs The Age of Reason and You're the Voice are. Definitely worth listening to to inspire thinking about the Context.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Advance Australia Fair

There is much debate surrounding the Australian national anthem and whether or not it is as it should be. Also in regard to our flag. It is interesting to consider the original, unabridged version of Advance Australia Fair when studying the issues that are presented in The Secret River. I would like to hear others' points of views on the arguments for and against the anthem. What do you think of the lyrics we no longer sing? Should the anthem be changed/replaced?

A piece of writing considering this topic could work to address a prompt, the context and the set text. It also lends itself to the discussion of just who are Australians and would we better represented as a people if we were a republic? Just two days ago Judith Durham, member of the 1960's Australian pop band the Seekers, 'penned new lyrics for the national anthem and is hoping that the rest of the country will get on board'. Also check out the BLIP.fm playlist to listen to versions of the I Am Australian song.

Breakeven by The Script

I chose to put Breakeven forward as a song worth considering for our exploration of the context in regard to The Secret River because I believe the idea of there being different levels of give and take in a relationship is one that is very pertinent to the situation of Sal and William Thornhill. While I think theirs' is a true love story, and the depth of their love for each other is on a par, it seems to be Sal who sacrifices the most for them to stay together. Sal leaves London to follow her convict husband to Australia where his promises of taking her home fall empty. A piece of writing that explores the intricacies of a relationship where one person gives up more than other could work well to address the criteria for this Area of Study outcome.