The Importance of Diverse Musical Voices

Musician of the Month fits alongside your primary music scheme to create a culture of musical appreciation and understanding within your school, focusing on a new musician every month. The resources were created with diversity and cultural capital at its heart, covering classical composers, traditions and popular artists from every continent, and incorporating the nine protected characteristics of the 2010 Equality Act into their list of studied musicians. Matt Dix, Founder of Musician of the Month, explains why diverse musical voices should be taught to young people to enhance their understanding of the world.

The recent riots serve as a stark reminder of the deep-seated issues that can erupt in our society, but it also serves as a reflection of how easily vulnerable youth can be swayed by toxic ideologies, often formed from false information.

As educators, parents, and community members, we must find ways to equip our children with the tools they need to resist such influences. One powerful, yet often overlooked, tool is music education—particularly access to the lives and challenges faced by diverse musicians. By exposing children to the rich, varied experiences of musicians from different backgrounds, we can help them build empathy, understanding, and resilience. Who is Reem Kelani and why is she recording traditional Palestinian folk music? What does the story of Bessie Smith tell us about America’s past? Who is Gurinder Kaur Kainth and what musical records has she set in India?

Music as a Gateway to Empathy and Understanding

Music is a language that often transcends boundaries of race, class, and nationality. Through music, children can connect with the emotions and experiences of people from different walks of life, gaining insights into struggles and triumphs that may be far removed from their own.

By introducing children to the stories of diverse musicians—those who have faced discrimination, poverty, or violence—we can help them develop a more nuanced understanding of the world. They can learn about artists like Nina Simone, who used her music to fight against racial injustice, or Bob Marley, who became a global symbol of peace and resistance despite facing significant personal hardships.

One famous musician who was at one time an asylum seeker was Freddie Mercury, the lead vocalist of the legendary rock band Queen. Born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania), Mercury and his family fled to the UK in 1964 due to the Zanzibar Revolution, which caused widespread violence and turmoil. They sought asylum in England, where Mercury later rose to international fame, becoming one of the most iconic figures in rock music history.

These stories aren’t just about music; they’re about resilience, courage, and the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity. When children see how these musicians have channelled their struggles into art that unites rather than divides, they begin to understand that there are healthier ways to cope with their own challenges. They also see that diversity is not something to be feared, but something that enriches our lives and our societies.

The Role of Education

Teachers can create projects where students explore the backgrounds of various musicians, discussing how their experiences shaped their music. These discussions can be expanded to include broader conversations about race, inequality, and the importance of diversity. By making these topics a regular part of the curriculum, we can help children build the critical thinking skills needed to challenge extremist ideologies. By immersing children in the music and lives of musicians like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan from Pakistan, Angélique Kidjo from Benin or Alan Dawa Dolma from Tibet, we share the value of letting children explore the world of music and therefore the world itself.

Moreover, music education can provide an outlet for children to express their own feelings and frustrations in a positive way. Whether through learning an instrument, writing lyrics, or simply discussing music with their peers, children can find a sense of belonging and purpose that extremist groups often falsely promise.

Building a Better Future Through Music

In the wake of the 2024 riots, it’s clear that we need to do more to support our young people. By giving them access to the lives and challenges of diverse musicians, we offer them not just education, but inspiration. We show them that no matter the obstacles, there is always a way forward—a way that embraces love, unity, and creativity over hate and division.

Now more than ever, music education can be one of our most valuable tools for supporting cultural diversity and encouraging community cohesion. Music allows children to see the world through the eyes of others, to understand the complexities of the human experience, and to build the emotional resilience needed to question harmful ideologies. By investing in this kind of education, we invest in a future where our children are not just aware of the world’s challenges, but are also equipped to rise above them.

Visit the Musician of the Month website to learn more about how you can incorporate a diverse range of musicians into your primary school. Music Mark Members can also access an exclusive discount for subscriptions until the end of September – click here to find out more.