http://welcometomusic.net/enews/dec_08
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Dear Friend of Music

Welcome . . .

Welcome to the December 2008 issue of MUSICNOTES and we hope you are all getting into the festive mood now that the end of the year is in sight!!

Would you like to attend one of our PLAYshops in 2009 for free?

We are always looking for good venues and someone on the ground to help us organise workshops around the country – so if you or anyone you know might have an appropriate space (ie: music room in a school) we would love to offer one or more free registrations in lieu. We are keen to run some early childhood workshops in the evenings in and around Melbourne plus we are looking to do a tour and run joint workshops with Lynn Kleiner, world famous music educator from the USA , in September/October 2009 in locations in or around Alice Springs, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania so please let us know if you can help and in return we would be happy to offer one or more free registrations! phil@welcometomusic.net

The Amazing Power of Music Revealed

In this amazing article you will see just how powerful music can be in our lives. Click here for a great article by Robin Lloyd, LiveScience Senior Editor

Planning for 2009?

We would love to be involved in your planning and programs so please keep us in mind when planning your events for next year. We can offer a range of great services like:

Professional development 'PLAYshops'
Preschool classes
Music shows for preschool and primary
Family concerts
Choral days
Community Drum circles - for students, families and teachers
Artists in School programs - from one day to a whole term
'MusiKeynote' presentations for seminars and conferences on a variety of topics including the popular 'I'm not stressed - I always look like this!' great for openings and closings
Composition of school songs..... and more....please go to our website or contact us for further information.

What’s coming up?

In January Susie will be co-presenting with Sue Lane (NSW) at an Orff level 1 course in Canberra presented by the Orff Schulwerk Association of NSW. The dates are Jan 21-26 and Registrations Close 5pm Monday December 8, 2008.

Click here for brochure and registration or go to: www.orffnsw.org.au for more information

Course pre-requisites:

Prior attendance at an Orff class or Professional Development
Basic understanding of music theory
Descant recorder familiarity an advantage but not a necessity.

Jam it up - in 2009!

Sun, 15th Feb, 2.30 – 4.30pm and Thursday 2nd July, 7.30-9pm

Hampton Primary School, Hampton, Melbourne, Vic

All in’ Jammin’ session and special guest concert

Promoting self expression, joy, confidence, well being and effective communication through musical improvisation. Sing, say, move, dance, play and create music that is accessible for all!

As part of the ‘Joy of Jammin’ courses, we are offering ‘jammin’ sessions for participants, their family and friends, anyone interested in doing the course in the future and anyone who loves music.

The sessions will consist of: ALL IN jammin’ session – just bring your instrument, voice or use a percussion instrument supplied – this is for everyone! No experience necessary.

Special guest concert – with the following musicians/improvisers

Melbourne - Warren Wills (London), Phil Splitter and Susie Davies-Splitter

Susie will also give a brief description of the philosophy behind the ‘Joy of Jammin’ course

$10 per head and $25 for a family for each session

For bookings and further information – contact susie@welcometomusic.net

What's new for 2009?

You may already know about our 'Funkey Monkey' illustrated story book which came out earlier this year - following on from that we will have 'Rocket Sam' (off 'Move It!') and 'The Fireman's Barbeque' (off 'Rainbows, Trees and Tambourines')

There will be a childrens' size book plus a teacher's size - for reading at the front of the class. Plus both books will come with a CD with the song.

Also we will have our new DVD ‘Welcome to Music in Early Childhood’:

A comprehensive teacher workshop with commentary and instructions for 15 activities from the ‘Welcome to Music’ series - for children up to 8 years.
Also includes bonus ‘Why Music?’ feature

We will keep you posted on these and other new resources as they become available.

What people are saying

About our Songs

"I am going to be implementing music programs across the whole school next year & so I am excited about using all your wonderful songs.Our school has students with moderate to severe intellectual disability, ranging in age from 4 to 18. It is always difficult to find music which is both age appropriate and yet simple enough in content for our students to relate to. Many of your songs will be ideal. Thank you for your wonderful creations"

Inese Kamenyitzky, teacher
NSW

"Dear Susie & Phil, I have been a great fan of your music for several years - the children at Harcourt Preschool have learnt many of your songs & dances - they particularly love funkey monkey, rockin rhythm as well as move it , freeze & fuzzy the clown.

We always have to sing funkey monkey & the chn dressed up in red undies for our grandparents day - what a hit !!!! "

Jan Jenkin, Teacher in charge,
Harcourt Preschool, Vic

About our new album: 'Your Stage'

"I have been giving your CD a hiding this term. The song 'Clouds' worked out really well weather wise as we experience snow, sleet, hail, rain wind and sunshine this last 2 weeks. Hard to believe it is nearly summer and we get snow lying on the ground. I used 'Who wants to play' and introduced some special instruments that I have had for ages and never had the right time to introduce them as they are special.

Then I gave everyone one of the 'all in' instruments to play 'Lets make a racket'. For my littlies and the next group up, I made up a sitting down circle song first moving the scarf around then putting it on the ground and just using our hands to touch parts of our bodies, then lifted the scarves up in the chorus again and moved it around, then back down on the ground. I followed it with 'My special scarf' and we had loads of fun. They loved making the scarf sleep and it was so cute watching them put the scarf in their hands and putting them up to their faces and tipping their head over as if they were sleeping. They also enjoyed 'making a racket'. I'm about thinking that my CD is going to wear out."

Heather Birnie, HeBi designs
New Zealand.

About our 'PLAYshops'

"An inspiring afternoon was had by all who attended such an involved, exciting and highly musical workshop.Susie and Phil's Welcome to Music workshop presented to the Lifestart staff recently was great! The YOUR STAGE - Inclusive opportunities for each individual to shine in their 'special moment' program that has been written and developed for children with additional needs will be an asset to any Early Childhood Intervention service or Preschool working with childern with additional needs. The songs and activities presented were well thought out and touched on many of the challenging concepts that we teach in the area of Early Childhood Intervention.

Suzy and Phil presented many adaptations to activities to suit the differing needs of our children, and songs can further be adapted if required. We all look forward to implementing the activities learnt in the workshop in our groups and hope that our families and children will enjoy them too.

Thank you for the wonderful creative ideas."

Philippa Wong - Special Educator
Lifestart Early Childhood Intervention Service
Inner West Branch

Ask Susie -

question and comments forum

If you would like to ask Susie about anything relating to music education, send an email to susie@welcometomusic.net and she will attempt to answer it for you.

On-line shopping

On our website you will also find sample songs and pages from our teacher's manuals, PLUS we now have on line shopping for your convenience – It's quick and easy and school orders and credit cards are welcome – check it out here!

Finally ...

May we take this opportunity no matter where you are in the world and no matter what is happening in your part of the world to wish you a safe and happy festive season and enjoy the break.

May 2009 bring you all peace, happiness and good health - with lots of music of course too!

Yours in harmony,

Susie and Phil

PS: If you know another teacher, caregiver or parent who might enjoy reading this newsletter, pass it on to and suggest that they subscribe as well.

What is MusicNotes?

MusicNotes is our eNewsletter for preschool and primary teachers, caregivers, parents, therapists, community members and anyone who loves music and is passionate about music for children and all people - regardless of age or background!

MusicNotes is filled with useful information, music resources updates, workshop and event information, articles on music education and even an Ask Susie question and comments forum.

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