Simply Singing: the use of interdisciplinary educational design research to facilitate music making in intercultural Islamic settings

This paper reports on the development of a theoretical and practical model to assist in the integration of music education in a particular religious and cultural setting, that of Islamic schools in Australia. It develops a theory based on practical experimentation using Educational Design Research applied in a longitudinal music program of some 30 years standing. The Music Engagement Program staff collaborated with an experienced music educator to develop an approach that has broader applicability in terms of rationale and practice beyond its specific original aim. The paper briefly describes the methodology and the context for music in Islamic schools in relation to music in the Australian Curriculum. It summarises the philosophy behind the Music Engagement Program and then builds a theory based on three concepts: a preparedness to negotiate, design thinking, and the Islamic form of simple song called a nasheed. It gives examples of a song set used in several Islamic schools and concludes by suggesting the ways in which an intercultural design-based approach applies to the education system more widely, where music making can increasingly be marginalized by the ‘crowded curriculum’ and the attitudes of teaching staff, school executives and the community.