Have you walked through the language hall and saw the bracket full of songs on the wall across the German room? It’s the annual German March Music Madness — or März Musik Wahnsinn.
Participated in by German students all over the world, the activity features 16 German songs that have topped the charts and are then put into a bracket to be voted on over the course of March. In late February, NASH German students listened to the 16 songs and filled out their brackets based on which songs they favor.
NASH German teacher Frau Brudnok’s students are checking the bracket daily.
“Every single day I check the bracket. I look forward to it all day long.” senior Chuck Baker said.
Throughout the academic year, Brudnok’s students earn imaginary Euros for answering questions, getting high scores on games, and working hard on project days. Every student’s goal is to reach 50 Euros by the end of each quarter. During März Musik Wahnsinn, students can earn even more Euros depending on how accurate their brackets are.
“It’s just something fun,” Brudnok said. “It makes us feel like part of a larger community that participates in it.”
NASH junior Sophie Brunger is actively invested in this year’s bracket.
“So far, my bracket is really good,” says Sophie, “I am excited to see who wins every day. I’m also excited to get Euros.”
Displayed on the back wall of Brudnok’s classroom are past years’ winners of March Music Madness. Outside of her room, there is a large bracket full of the songs chosen for this year’s competition, so that students can monitor their progress.
“My favorite part about it is when students end up loving a song and end up incorporating it into their lives outside of German class,” Brudnok said.
German classes aren’t the only ones participating in such an activity this March. French teacher Madame Butler is hosting a French March Music Madness, Manie Musicale.
Every year, there is a national tournament in which a group of teachers select which songs will be the contenders for that year’s Manie Musicale. As French is an official language in 29 countries, Their bracket spreads worldwide, allowing French students to explore the cultures represented within the songs. Butler gives students two days to vote each round and afterwards shows the winner reveal videos that the national organizers have made.
“I enjoy watching students find things that they like to listen to in French,” she said. “Sometimes listening activities can be tough, but when students start to listen to music instead of dialogues and questions, they start to really enjoy it.”
NASH junior Rebecca Bordeianu is an unapologetic Manie Musicale fan, and she’s not alone.
“I’d say I’m invested, and so are the other students,” she said. “It is a fun way to get engaged and learn about French culture. I look forward to it every day.”
Earlier this year, French students had the extraordinary opportunity to take a field trip to see LeFLOFRANCO, the artist who won last year’s global tournament.
“Every year, I have students who find a song or two that they love and they’ll memorize the whole thing — I love that,” Butler said. “Last year, I was walking to my car and heard one of our songs blasting from a student’s car in the parking lot.”
