One of ’s first initiatives to successfully integrate ART with STEM education, primarily using Music (concept-based original songs, musical exercises and applications) Founded in 2013 by musician Anil Srinivasan, it has now grown to embrace nearly 406 schools as part of the curriculum. Of these, 358 schools (almost 90%) comprise children from re- source-deprived backgrounds in Tier-II, III and villages of Southern India.

Developing on the notion that Music is a cognitive facilitator, and can be used as a successful multidisciplinary tool (following Rhapsody’s 460 lesson work on cognitive neuroscience and music, plans integrate math, neuroaesthetics and child development), science, language and social science learning in a manner that have impressed school educators. Specifically, in a survey done to assess the interventions and programmes) showed a effectiveness of the programme done a year 15% increase, while language 1 or native ago, significant increases in subject scores language learning through music exhibited and in attendance to school were observed a 7% increase in aggregate annual marks (Table 1). Attendance pre- and post- the obtained by each child. Other increases are Rhapsody intervention (controlled for other shown in the table.

SCORE INCREASES IN ACADEMIC CRITERIA PRE AND POST RHAPSODY INTERVENTION

Criteria (Increase from 2017 AY - 2018 AY) Attendance 0.15*

Overall Academic Score (aggregated over the year) 0.02

Scores in Language1 0.07*

Scores in Mathematics 0.02

Scores in Science 0.03**

Base : 647 students, 4 government-run schools * significant Scores collected across academic year, pre-and post- Rhapsody intervention ** partially significant

Feedback on the ground is highly positive opposed to hiring Music graduates who find (based on periodic satisfaction surveys done it hard to embrace other subject learning and with schools each year). Specific attention pedagogy) proved to be effective in providing must be paid to Rhapsody’s trainers, who are scalability and sustainability to the model. graduates from other disciplines with some Finding trainers who were local to the district training in music, who are trained in the helped create bonds between the trainer and proprietary methodology. This practice (as the trained.

Finding trainers who were local to the district helped create bonds between the trainer and the trained.

The curriculum has brought in several innovations – exercises in creativity and collaboration, instrument making, science learning using practical exercises and musical applications (in one notable example, the Doppler effect is taught when a group of children hold hands and move together towards another group, all the time singing a song on the effect – and the trainer teachers the correlation between distance, volume, soundwaves and frequencies – both enjoyable and exciting to the children!).

Rhapsody, largely functional in and some parts of Telengana, wishes now to explore a more national footprint. Having worked on STEAM integration in schools, teacher training and skilling students with creativity and collaborative tools from 2013-20, Rhapsody would like to explore specific ways of working closer with the MHRD and the government at the centre in playing its part in the skilling mission as well as in contributing towards early primary education with art integration, all of which are core to our current educational objectives and the NEP.

A recent article on the Rhapsody mission https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/providing-right-keys- rhapsody-music-education-takes-serious-approach-music-91725 SATISFACTION SCORES AND FEEDBACK FROM KAYONE REVIEW

Rhapsody’s dedication to work is appreciable. Makes every student participate and come out with flying 4.0 colours Very Good -PUP Primary School, Vallur, Ponnari, Tiruvallur

Music trainer is very active in teaching concepts through music to the children. It is very useful to 4.2 develop their skills Good -PUP School, Pillaikalathur, Namakkal

Students are very interested in learning with Rhapsody 4.1 -PUP School, Kuchuvadi, Krishnagiri Dist. Good

The overall impression is that it is effective and motivating. We are sending brief reports submitted 4.8 by our field staff. The fact that the children keep Excellent singing even after the class is an indication, that the program is catchy and as we keep moving along, be helpful. Thanks to you both for the manner you are conducting the classes and imparting more knowledge to our staff. -SODEWS NGO, Vaniyambadi Taluk, Vellore Dist. Satisfaction Score was computed as an index of a. Evaluation on improvement pre- and post- Rhapsody intervention b. Evaluation of the Teacher Deputed on delivery and effectiveness in classroom c. Student Enjoyment

KayOne is a Due Diligence Firm which did an external review, and graded their feedback on the overall satisfaction of schools and students on a 5 point scale (0 being poor, 1 being Needing Improvement, 2 being satisfactory, 3 being Good, 4 Very Good and 5 Excellent)

The teaching-learning process is going on smoothly. Children are interested in the lessons. Faculty handles 4.5 the class well. Very Good -PUP School, Nellur, Kelamangalam Block, Krishnagiri Dist.

Excellent feedback from the teachers and the students. The rural under privileged children are not exposed to any kind of formal music lessons. Hence they enjoy the jan sessions. We would like to 5.0 have your programme for the next few years. Another interesting aspect is students have started creating new songs based on their Maths lessons using popular tues. This exposure has triggered the innate creativity of the students. -Swami Dayananda Higher Secondary School, Manjakkudi, Kodavasal Taluk, Thiruvarur Dist.

Learning Education through music, thanks to Rhapsody 4.0 -Government Music School, Kanchipuram

Mr. Anil Srinivasan & Dr. Sudha Raja have given us good training on how to teach the students through 4.2 Music. Thanks to the Rhapsody team. Very Good -Government Music School, Erode Dear School Administrator,

Kindly take 5 minutes (to tick √ as appropriate) for this feed back form.

(A) Look for how well the children presented the showcase. Make sure allied craft/activity is also demonstrated.

Parameter Excellent Satisfactory Unsatisfactory The performance was Musicality (Singing) They sounded competent Musicality* was poor musically of a high quality The project work Students demonstrated some Students were supposed to Allied Craft and Project demonstrated was of excellent project work allied with the demonstrate project work but Work quality topic were not ready Students have mastered the Students demonstrate Students demonstrated material, and were curious to understanding of the topic, and inadequate comprehension of Understanding of Lessons know more and answered all respond to a few questions on the subject and topics being questions asked competently topics taught taught

All students participated A number of students were All students participated actively, enjoyed the lesson disengaged, and were found Engagement in Lessons actively, and were found and demonstrated excellence uninterested in the subject enjoying the lesson and mastery over the material being taught

Comments (if any) from School :

______

Signature : School Seal : Date :

Comments from Head of Academics, Rhapsody :

To understand the effect of our trainings, we handed out Above feedback forms through a third party survey, and below were the results from various schools:

Students sang in unison and in rhythm. Can display “ their activity that has been done.” -Chandrakanthi Public School, Coimbatore 30/07/19

It was always a pleasure interacting with the Rhapsody “ Faculty. Ms. Uma had the opportunity to take forward different individuals in public. Exemplary!” -A.M.M. Mat. Hr. School, 10/04/19 Excellent Presentation. Students are “ enjoying the music and learning the subject also well. Very Good Gauri! Keep it up !!” -Devi Academy Senior Secondary School, Chennai 01/07/19

Excellent Performance. Keep up the “ good work!!” -P.S. Senior Secondary School, Chennai 31/07/2018

We are pleased with Prasanya’s “ dedication in training our students to sing” -Samskaara School, Coimbatore 07/02/19

Well co-ordination, training of the “ students for the investiture ceremony. Swagatham song, Hummanki song was marvelous and well appreciated by the management and parents.” -TRS Global Public School, Arakkonam 09/07/19 RHAPSODY IN MEDIA

Read the article Rhapsody Rhapsody Onboarded Rhapsody Shortlisted for the Curates the Macmillan Art Integration Education’s Reimagine Awards, 2020 Conference Platform ALTURA for CBSE

Anil Srinivasan awarded Anil Srinivasan Kalaimamani by wins the Educator government of Extraordinaire Tamil Nadu for the Citation year 2019

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