The current proposal focuses on describing an interdisciplinary approach to literature and music lessons that fosters mindful listening to the sounds of nature. It guides students to explore the impact of music and language on their emotions and thoughts, to "describe" specific sounds using words and musical notes, also to recreate these sounds themselves—using their voice, body, or an instrument. Additionally, students investigate silence, music and noise in their surroundings.

Below are some descriptive passages about the sea from the works of Alexandros Papadiamantis:

"A mysterious charm pervaded the entire moonlit night. On a small rock beside the islet, hollow and cave-like, the wave crashed with a loud roar, splashing as it hit, and there, amidst the general harmony of the moonlit sea, it seemed like a separate orchestra, producing more noise than all the coves, bays and sandy shores, all the coasts and cliffs that the waves struck." (The Nostalgic)

"The oar’s sound against the wave is unheard. A moonless night. The murmur of the sea commands silence." (The Rose-Tinted Shores)

"A gigantic wave, more furious than the others, rose near the shore, foaming madly, breaking against the rock with a terrifying crash.[…] The waves, shivering, dancing, raging, shattered against the rock with childlike stubbornness—defeated, yet unyielding—proud as if they were conscious of their superior strength and had foreseen their ultimate victory. […] Another enormous wave, swollen, luciferian, crashing, swelling…" (Shipwrecks of Shipwrecks). 

We are looking for words that can be "loud," "silent," sound- producing, ranging from a whisper to the most deafening sound, as well as musical compositions that evoke the sea. For example we mention:  “My little sea” (traditional song), Yannis Constantinides “My little sea” from 8 dances des îles grecques, C. Debussy La mer, L. V. Beethoven Moonlight Sonata.

Students improvise the described sounds using their voice or an instrument. We take a "sound walk" and record the natural sounds around us. We create a "sound map," reflecting and how our experience relates to environmental destruction—raising awareness among students about the importance of protecting nature.

• Natural environments and awareness through music
• Interdisciplinary approaches in music education

Efthalia Lily Daka was born in Heraklion. She began her music studies in her hometown and obtained her soloist piano diploma in Athens from the "Athenaeum" Conservatoire under the guidance of Dora Bakopoulos.  She enriched her studies attending several master classes and Summer Academies. She also holds a diploma of Greek Literature from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, DEA in Modern Greek Literature from the University of Sorbonne (Paris IV) and Phd diploma of Music Studies from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

 Lily Daka teaches piano in Music School of Heraklion since 2000,  being at the same time active in artistic and cultural events.