The British Kodály Academy's website

Summer School 2008 - Courses

26th International Summer School MORNING COURSES

CORE MUSICIANSHIP

C1: Musicianship with Relative Solfa

C2: Choir

Each day will begin with Choir, which will include vocal warm-up techniques

Musicianship training and Choral Singing (Choirs) are central to the Kodály approach. All students are expected, therefore, to attend the above sessions.

AFTERNOON COURSES

SESSION 1: CORE METHODOLOGY

M1 The Kodály Concept - Methodology 1

M2 The Kodály Concept - Methodology 2

SESSION 2: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY

A1 Choral Conducting (Complete Beginner)

A2 Choral Conducting (Experienced Beginner)

A3 Choral Conducting (Intermediate)

A4 Choral Conducting (Advanced Intermediate)

A5 Repertoire for Foundation Level

A6 Repertoire for Primary Years, KS1/2

A7 "I Wish I Could Sing"

SESSION 2: TUESDAY & THURSDAY

Special Interest Workshops

SESSION 3

As for Session 2

SINGING COURSES

S1 Individual Singing Tuition (half hour lessons)

Longer lessons may be arranged for experienced singers who provide written
evidence of their experience

EVENING ACTIVITIES

... will include Folk Dancing, Lectures and Workshops,
a Vocal Masterclass and the end of School Concert and Farewell Party

MORNING COURSES

CORE MUSICIANSHIP SKILLS

COURSE C1 MUSICIANSHIP WITH RELATIVE SOLFA

There will be one and a half hours of tuition daily for all Summer School
participants including those on the Certificate Courses. The aim of this core
subject is to develop musical literacy, encompassing essential attributes of
musicianship such as fluent reading/singing with good intonation, inner
hearing, aural perception, polyphonic and harmonic hearing, leading to an
understanding of Form and an appreciation of Style. This is achieved
through the application of Relative Solfa, which is one of the main ‘tools’ of
the Kodály Concept, while making music. All levels will be catered for from
complete beginners to the musically advanced.

Those with no musical training will be taught in a Foundation Group
by a British tutor. There will be five additional levels and every effort will be
made to ensure that students are placed in the level which is most suitable
for their stage of development.

A short placement test will be administered at the beginning of the Summer School to all students with the exception of those in the Foundation group. Movement from one level to the next will be on evidence of mastery of the skills in the preceding level.

The course will be tutored by experienced Hungarian tutors Esther Hargittai, Lenke Igó, Klára Nemes, Sarolta Platthy and Márta Szabó.

COURSE C2 CHOIR

Choral singing is central to the Kodály approach, and all students (with the
exception of those doing the Sound Beginnings/Sound Progressions
courses) are expected to attend this course. There will be three choirs: an
SATB choir under the direction of David Vinden, an SA Choir under the
direction of Lenke Igó, and a Foundation Choir, for those with little or no
musical experience, under the direction of Esther Hargittai. The choirs will
meet for rehearsals at the beginning of each day. Each rehearsal will
include warm-up techniques and will provide a memorable choral
experience, culminating in a performance at the End of School Concert.

SINGERS’ COURSES

This course provides a unique opportunity to study with teachers of
international standing while benefiting from the Kodály musicianship
training in Core Courses 1 and 2. Singing lessons will be timetabled in
rotation during the preparation times and the afternoon sessions. Individual
lessons will incur an additional cost and must be booked in advance on the
application form. Experienced singers may request lessons of one hour in
length (doubling the cost), but this will only be granted to those who provide
written evidence of advanced singing technique and experience. It will also
be possible to book one or two lessons for those who would like to sample
one to one teaching. On Friday evening, selected singers will have an
opportunity to take part in a public masterclass with Jeanette Massocchi.

AFTERNOON COURSES

CORE METHODOLOGY

SESSION 1 – EVERY DAY: The Kodály Concept

Musical training from pre-school to conservatoire level This year sees the implementation of the second strand of the BKA’s new methodology programme. The first strand was given last year for the first time and those who attended it will be eligible for the certificate programme upon completion of the assessment requirement which is attached to it. Each strand of the programme consists of six sessions of one and a half hour’s duration (9 hours in total) and a short assessment task. The sessions are open to everyone, but anyone aiming for the certificate will be required to do the assessments. It is recommended but not essential that Methodology 1 precedes Methodology 2. A third strand (which may only be taken on completion of Methodology 2) is currently being developed and
will be ready for delivery in 2010. It is anticipated that there will be an accredited certificate on completion of the first three strands which will provide an entry point to the Sound Beginnings and Sound Progressions Certificate Courses.

METHODOLOGY 1: BACKGROUND TO KODÁLY
Klára Nemes

This is an introduction to Kodály's music educational concept for those wanting to know more about the Kodály approach as well as those wishing to undertake the new certificate programme. This course will give an overview of the Kodály concept of music education with reference to its implementation in Hungary and around the world. It will cover Kodály's principles, musical and teaching tools as well as an appraisal of Kodály the educator, composer and scholar.

Assessment requirement: to produce an A4 sheet outlining the elements
of the Kodály concept.

METHODOLOGY 2: BEING A GOOD PRACTITIONER
Cyrilla Rowsell and David Vinden

This strand will encompass choosing a song and what makes good
material. Students will learn how to analyse a song, how to teach a song
by rote, to recognise the value of game songs, discover the skills and
concepts to be taught through this material, and how to develop a song in
the classroom or learning arena. Students will be required to teach one
song to the group during the week.

Assessment requirement: to analyse 10 songs and 2 rhymes on the
analysis sheets provided. (The songs and rhymes will be those that the
teacher would expect to use with his/her classes; each song/rhyme will be
no more than 4 lines long and with a range no wider than a major 6th).

METHODOLOGY 3: SHORT-/MEDIUM-/LONG-TERM PLANNING

This strand is currently being developed and will include how to structure and sequence a lesson and a series of lessons.

The Assessment will be evidence of knowledge of how to prepare for the introduction of solfa, rhythm names and notation.

SESSION 2 & SESSION 3: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday the following courses will be offered after the
tea break. Each course will be offered twice to allow for maximum participation and small classes enabling more individual attention.

COURSE A1
Choral Conducting: Beginner
A course for those who have absolutely no previous experience of choral conducting.

COURSE A2
Choral Conducting: Experienced Beginner
A course for students with a little choral conducting experience, who now seek to develop their conducting skills.

COURSE A3
Choral Conducting: Intermediate
A course for students with some choral conducting experience and previous tuition, who seek to develop their technique.

COURSE A4
Choral Conducting: Advanced Intermediate
A course for students with considerable choral conducting expertise. Students opting for this course may request music in advance and are asked to supply evidence of their experience.

COURSE A5
Repertoire for teachers at Foundation Level (3-5 yrs)
Judith Brindle

An opportunity to discover new material and how to make the most effective use of it in the classroom, playgroup etc. This course supplements Methodology 2.

COURSE A6
Repertoire for teachers at Primary Level/KS1&2 (6 – 11 yrs)
Lucinda Geoghegan

An opportunity to discover new material and how to make the most effective use of it in the classroom. This course supplements Methodology 2.

COURSE A7
I Wish I Could Sing!
Celia Cviic

A series of five group singing lessons for all those who are not sure of their singing voice and want to know how to improve it and build their confidence. Simple vocal exercises, ear-training, rounds and easy part-songs are used; no one is asked to sing alone until they are ready.

SESSION 2 & SESSION 3: Tuesday & Thursday

On Tuesday and Thursday there will be extended workshops for everyone: The workshops will include demonstrations on "How to Teach a Song" and "Inclusion" given by experienced Kodály practitioners.

Important Information for Prospective Students

The new 2008 timetable will allow for ample time for preparation of musical material for the classes and choir as well as time for informal music making.
Everyone is encouraged to bring their instruments along with music material to share with others in instrumental or vocal ensembles during the week. Students may also find it useful to bring a keyboard for personal use as practice facilities are limited.
Students intending to bring tape recorders or video recorders may do so but on the understanding that these may only be used with the consent of the tutor or performer.
Summer School students will need to purchase printed material, including music manuscript paper for their studies. If you already own copies of Kodály’s Two and Three Part Exercises, a copy of Classical Canons or any other publication by one of the Summer School tutors, please bring them with you. If you do not have any of the above, these will all be available in the Summer School Bookshop, mostly at discounted prices.