There is something so fantastic about ringing in the New Year with seventy five dedicated and passionate music educators! On Saturday, January 13th, Maryland United Specialists in Kodály teamed up with the American Kodály Institute and several members of their faculty to create an inspiring day of professional development with topics covering pedagogy, choral studies, learning modalities and music, and repertoire and materials. The More Than Music workshop opened with Student Centered Pedagogy: Engaging Students as Stewards of Their Own Learning, led by Ashley Cuthbertson. Mrs. Cuthbertson wowed attendees with her incredible organization, her utilization of 10 minutes of ability-based centers, and strategies for gathering data and guiding student learning. A highlight was her demonstration of methods of leading young musicians from teacher-led music making to independent music making, including sight singing, improvisation, composition, and instrument play!
The next presenter, Dr. Alyson Shirk demonstrated and sang with attendees for the first 20 minutes of her presentation. The high ceilings echoed with exuberant voices raised in song to Hold On. Through singing and gesture only, Dr. Shirk led attendees through minor pentatonic patterns in triple meter, and then beautifully transitioned us into canon singing, then to duple meter and added body percussion, then text and harmony. She then shared some strategies for building an aural foundation with older beginners in choir and led attendees through some useful drills and exercises. To close, Dr. Shirk shared how to help students make the connection to musical notation with kinesthetic and visual representations through listening maps.
The next presenter, Dr. Alyson Shirk demonstrated and sang with attendees for the first 20 minutes of her presentation. The high ceilings echoed with exuberant voices raised in song to Hold On. Through singing and gesture only, Dr. Shirk led attendees through minor pentatonic patterns in triple meter, and then beautifully transitioned us into canon singing, then to duple meter and added body percussion, then text and harmony. She then shared some strategies for building an aural foundation with older beginners in choir and led attendees through some useful drills and exercises. To close, Dr. Shirk shared how to help students make the connection to musical notation with kinesthetic and visual representations through listening maps.
After returning from a complimentary lunch provided by Loyola University Maryland and the American Kodály Institute, attendees laughed, danced, and sang with Amy Weishaar during Creating ConSENSES: MultiSENSEory Lessons to Help Deepen Musical Understanding of Students Learning Disabilities, Autism, ADHD, and More. While dancing and moving in ways that were new, Mrs. Weishaar encouraged attendees to not shy away from the experience and said, “Different is not wrong. Different is the world,” which gave everyone great pause – educators should constantly search for and try strategies that open the world of music in new ways with all of our students.
To close the More Than Music workshop, Jim Javorsky shared 26 songs, games, and dances in A-Z Learning Objectives for Today's Music Teacher. After a nearly 7 hour day, there was no better way to close the day then playing games and singing together! Mr. Javorsky closed his session with a Waltz Mixer, similar to what would be done after a long night of folk dancing, and it was a beautiful way to bid farewell to all of the new and old friends that were made on this wonderful day of music making. On behalf of MUSIK, thank you to all of the fabulous clinicians that share their talents. And to our attendees, we are so grateful you could join us and we hope to see you soon at Wrap It Up!, a make and take workshop in the spring.
To close the More Than Music workshop, Jim Javorsky shared 26 songs, games, and dances in A-Z Learning Objectives for Today's Music Teacher. After a nearly 7 hour day, there was no better way to close the day then playing games and singing together! Mr. Javorsky closed his session with a Waltz Mixer, similar to what would be done after a long night of folk dancing, and it was a beautiful way to bid farewell to all of the new and old friends that were made on this wonderful day of music making. On behalf of MUSIK, thank you to all of the fabulous clinicians that share their talents. And to our attendees, we are so grateful you could join us and we hope to see you soon at Wrap It Up!, a make and take workshop in the spring.