Training in two great music education methods is offered in Kansas each summer.
Orff Training
The Orff-Schulwerk is a model for music and movement education.
This approach to music learning was developed by German composer Carl Orff and colleague Gunild Keetman during the 1920’s. The Orff-Schulwerk combines the child’s music-making through singing, playing instruments, speech and movement.
The Kansas Orff Chapter provides three professional development workshops per year with national clinicians and level courses at Baker University to assist music teachers to understand and learn the teaching process of the Orff approach. The comprehensive Level I, Level II and Level III curriculum courses teach pedagogy, movement and recorder. These levels develop the teacher’s creativity and musicianship plus excellent teaching strategies for learning the methodology. Each year, Baker University offers one of the three levels courses which run the length of two weeks.
The 2018 calendar for Kansas Orff Chapter events are as follows:
- June 25-July 6 Certification Level II-Baker University, Baldwin, KS
- July 27-28 Tim Wiegand-Riverview Elementary, School, Shawnee KS
You can earn up to 2 hours of graduate credit From Baker University
The workshop title is “Bring Back Joy”-simple lessons, games and performance
pieces that capture the attention of students and make the music room a joyful place to be.
- October 6-Erika Bridge-Langston-Hughes Elementary School in Lawrence, KS.
The workshop title is “Keeping the P.L.A.Y. in the Schulwerk” incorporating games,
literature and movement into the Orff process in an authentic way. Come prepared to sing, say, dance and P.L.A.Y.!
For more information on levels please contact Course Director Greg Gooden at orffan@sbcglobal.net or GregoryGooden@usd475.org. For more information on chapter workshops please contact Kansas Orff Chapter President Christine Day at kocpresident@kansasorff.com.
Summer Kodaly Program
The Hungarian method of music education, named after composer and teacher Zoltan Kodály, focuses on the development of music literacy based on six fundamental principals:
- All children deserve a strong music education from an early age
- Music is first internalized through the body using singing and movement
- Folk music of a child’s culture is the place to begin when acculturating children to their culture and its musical schemas.
- Since music enhances quality of life, only music of quality will suffice in order to have the impact it deserves.
- Music teachers must be as well trained as possible
- Sequential, comprehensive musicianship will develop the literacy necessary to “hear what you see and see what you hear.”
Though primarily associated with elementary general music in America, the Kodaly method was originally designed to work
at all grade levels, both vocally and instrumentally. Wichita State University currently supports one of the largest Kodaly Method training programs in the country. This year’s dates for the training are June 3-15. Students may enroll in the level I, II, or III courses for five semester credits or non-credit. Classes include musicianship (solfege, conducting, & choir), pedagogy, and repertoire. Supported by the Kodaly Music Educators of Kansas (KMEK), teachers develop the skills and make the personal connections necessary to take their teaching to a new level. KMEK sponsors three days of training throughout the school year as well.
In conjunction with the training, WSU sponsors a Treble Choir Camp for students ages 10-17 during the first week of training. Directed by internationally known conductor Elaine Quillichini, this camp has been transformative for many young vocalists.
For more information on KMEK dates, go to www.kmek.org. For information on the WSU Kodaly Program, go to www.wichita.edu/kodaly or contact program director Steve Oare (steve.oare@wichita.edu) or program administrator Elaine Bernstorf (Elaine.bernstorf@wichita.edu).
