On January 11, 2O2O, Maryland United Specialists in Kodály and the American Kodály Institute rang in the new year with Just Try the Kodály! This workshop featured classic, popular Kodály-inspired repertoire choices, but also demonstrated how to utilize the principles of Kodály music education with a 21st century flair. The clinicians featured were Kelley Van Wingerden, Madelyn Mazzeo, Carl Ellinwood Jr., Angela Pope, and American Kodály Institute Musicianship instructor, Francois Suhr. The day began with seventy-five voices beautifully singing of Harmonia Mundi (We Gather Here). Throughout the morning, attendees chatted and networked over coffee, fruit, and breakfast pastries and bagels, courtesy of Loyola University Maryland and the American Kodály Institute. |
Our first presenter, Kelley Van Wingerden, shared an imaginative and engaging session designed for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. During her presentation, Kelley was interrupted by So Mi Singing Snake, hopping to and from instrument pictographs, and then serenaded an enraptured group of music educators with a lullaby, accompanied by an illustrated book. Songs, Games, and Snakes for the K/1 Music Room was a delightfully child-centered start to the morning.
The next presenter, Madelyn Mazzeo kept us on our toes, literally, with Songs and Movement, They Won’t Forget! Attendees explored songs, singing games, and recorded music through structured and free movement activities. Stretchy bands, scarves, partnered activities, and large group activities provide so many different opportunities to provide creative, lasting musical memories with students of all ages. Moving, grooving, and joyfully exploring the large space was the highlight of Road Mapping Music Through Movement, Instruments, and More! Carl shared songs and activities that could be with a broad age range of students, including using movement and body percussion to teach and practice rhythmic concepts. He closed his session with an eye-catching flashlight activity to Owl City’s song Fireflies. After a delicious selection of fresh wraps, homemade potato chips, and a variety of cupcakes for lunch, the American Kodály Institute shared information about the Master of Education in Kodály Music Education program. All of the presenters in the Just Try the Kodály! workshop were either current students, alumni, or faculty of the AKI. The wealth of knowledge shared throughout the workshop today demonstrated that the American Kodály Institute at Loyola University Maryland is dedicated to developing experts and leaders in the field of music education. |
Angela Pope shared Meet Kodaly in the Middle:Tips and Strategies for Incorporating the Kodály Method into the Secondary Choral Classroom. Her session focused on developing musicianship in all ability levels of secondary students through games, repertoire, drills, mystery songs, and using devices such as phones, tablets, or laptops. It was clear from the laughter in the air and the joy on the faces of the audience that the activities Angela presented, and in some cases, created, were inspiring and practical.
The final presenter, François Suhr, continued on with that message about the importance of developing musicianship that works for today’s 21st century learners. High-energy, high-focus games were at the forefront of this engaging presentation, featuring games that work for all ages.
In Let’s Play: Fun Games That Build Musicianship, attendees traveled through six different stations with musicianship games. All of the games could be reworked in a plethora of ways to focus on varying degrees of melodic or rhythmic difficulty. Musicianship should be exploratory, fun, and ultimately, it’s a tool to help one better understand, appreciate, and communicate musical ideas. Attendees were driven, competitive, and laughter abounded in some of the point-based games. |
We are so grateful to all of our clinicians! Please join us on May 9th, 2020 at Loyola University Maryland for our last free workshop of the year, Kodály Music Education Mini Sessions. The seven presenters are Randi Bradley Martin, Korey Cunningham, Jeannette Good-Boyd, Javon Morris-Byam, Molly Park, Bethany Pasierb, and Theresa Sharp. Registration is free and breakfast is complimentary. See you there!