Building Bridges With Bach: Syntegration of Music and Visual Art

Abstract

Music and visual art share many common elements, principles, and processes. The numerous commonalities shared between music and visual arts afford for natural, meaningful integration opportunities that create natural synergies. Synergy or syntegration is achieved when the learning outcomes accomplished through the integration of subjects are greater than the outcomes achieved by teaching each subject individually. This article examines some of the natural commonalities between music and visual art through the music of Bach and the art of the Baroque Period that provide for syntegrated learning opportunities in the general music classroom. The authors provide ideas for integrated lesson plans for music and visual art.