A Newcastle school has begun an experiment, playing soothing music to keep its pupils calm throughout the day.
The so-called "soundscape", which involves ambient music and sounds from nature, is played to pupils at St Mary's RC Comprehensive as they arrive, during dinner time and as they leave school.
The sounds have been developed, not as part of a Brian Eno fantasy, but by a company called Soars and Co, which describes itself as an "experience strategy consultancy". I imagine their managing director Brenda Soars is the same market research expert who authored texts like What every retailer should know about the way into the shopper's head.
Is this a study aid or a way of brainwashing kids? The school tested pupils for six weeks, before using responses to surveys to help tailor the music to their taste and, presumably, effectiveness. Brenda Soars has said, "Music has an impact on people's emotions. But everyone is different, so you have to delve into what makes them feel good."
This is hardly a new idea. Psychologists have long known about the Mozart Effect, whereby the IQ of babies was said to increase if Amadeus's oeuvre was played to them whilst in the womb. The phrase is now a registered trademark and the claims have grown - from improving your child's school grades to even curing autism.
The various effects, both positive and negative, of music on mood have also long been documented. As the Mozart Effect ® site says, in its own grandiose way, "Music helps plants grow, drives our neighbours to distraction, lulls children to sleep, and marches men to war."
Indeed. Four years ago, uncooperative Iraqi prisoners were reportedly exposed to endless loops of Metallica tracks and music from children's TV programmes Sesame Street and Barney in order to break their spirits.
Several schools in London are now planning to introduce similar schemes after the success of the project at St Mary's. It seems a lot more innocuous than being forced to listen to I Love You, You Love Me from the Barney show for 45 minutes, but when you get down to brass tacks, it's still the manipulation of children's moods by an outside agent. The somnambulistic effect is being lauded as the prime benefit, but is the music actually helping them learn?
I've often used an album by Roger Eno, Mads Arp and Steen Thøttrup (collectively known as Remote) called Opening Doors to help me sleep. I'll put on Anthrax or Pantera if I'm angry or upset. Maybe that would be good for the pent-up aggression of the young kids of St Mary's.
I like Sage Francis if I feel quixotic, Atmosphere if lovesick, filthy dirty breakbeat or ragga jungle before a night out. I could go on, but that's what Last FM is for.
There's music to suit every mood and, if the above research is anything to go by, music to influence your mood and behaviour. So what should kids be listening to at school? Any suggestions?
