Dear Friend of Music

Welcome . . .

Start the year on a high note! Welcome to 2007 and the start of another exciting year - we can hear you jumping for glee from here! We have been busy little beavers over the summer break and we have lots of great new resources and events to share with you this year.

NEW ALBUM from Susie and Phil –

'Sing, Jam & Jive'

An Orff Schulwerk based approach for teaching improvisation to all ages
available Term 1, 2007

Our long awaited album is almost here. This will be a collection of musical games, songs, dances and instrumental activities to encourage children to be creative and express themselves through musical improvisation.

Triple CD
The teacher’s kit consists of a CD with vocal tracks , a baktraks CD (no vocals), and a Gaptraks/Harmony tracks CD, together with the teacher’s manual that includes music, guitar chords, words, percussion arrangements, suggestions for improvisation and ideas on how to best use the material. 

NEW SERIES from Susie and Phil –

‘Take ORFF with Jazz’ - Volumes 1, 2 & 3

available Term 1, 2007 

Classroom jazz arrangements based on the Orff Schulwerk approach. A collection of Susie and Phil’s popular pieces and arrangements in various jazz styles including swing, blues, latin and African. Each volume includes Teacher’s Book and vocal CD.

Other Events

Fabulous Vocal Concert in Melbourne

‘Life’s a Pitch’ IN CONCERT Sat 3rd March, 7.30-11.00pm
Music Café @ Bonkers, 497 Nepean Hwy, Brighton East, Melbourne

Enjoy an evening of entertainment with this fabulous vocal group.

'Life's a Pitch' a new vocal quartet featuring Susie and Phil, and two great local talents -  Debbie Sherr and Harry Mullany. With an eclectic mix of original and classic tunes from pop to folk to jazz, with movement, acappella  actions.and antics. this will be a night to remember as you sing, laugh, dance, join in and have loads of fun!

Dinner from 7.30 pm or showtime from 8.30 – 11.00 pm   
Show Only - $10   Show & Dinner - $29
Two Course Dinner includes delicious home-made platter with dip and antipasto, Traditional European Mail Meal and a Coffee.
(Vegetarian Food Available)

Places for Dinner are Very Limited BOOK NOW! Bookings: 9530 6601
For more information visit: http://www.bonkersplaycentre.com.au/music/

‘The Joy of Jammin’ –
an ORFF based Improvisation Course

Sun 1st – Thurs 5th July, 2007     Venue in Melbourne – TBC
presented by Susie Davies-Splitter         
9.30 – 4pm – 25 hrs

Would you like to;

• Overcome the fear of improvisation
• Develop simple strategies for effective improvisation using pentatonic scales, modes, the blues scale and pieces with simple harmonic progressions
• Make sense of simple lead sheets and chord symbols
• Understand the role and function of the rhythm section
• Learn about bass vamps and the 12 bar blues
• Learn how to arrange in an Orff style
• Take your aural skills to a new level
• Feel confident and experience the joy of jammin’ in any situation
• Feel confident to help others create and express themselves through improvisation in your work place

Anyone can do it –all you need is a basic music background.

Who can do the course?
Teachers and student teachers from a range of teaching settings – studio or classroom at preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary level. Also, Music Therapists, caregivers, parents, community workers, health and performing arts practitioners and anyone who has some basic music background and has the desire to improve their improvisational skills, knowledge and musical confidence.

Assessment will include written, practical tasks and peer teaching.

Course Content
The course will provide an Orff Schulwerk based approach for teaching improvisation through speech, singing, movement, games, playing percussion instruments and the participants’ instruments of choice.

It will cover activities from a range of music styles such as - jazz, blues, gospel, Latin, Klezmer, African and folk music. The repertoire will be applicable to early childhood, primary, secondary, therepeutic and community settings.

The sequence of scales and chord progressions will be followed from the Margaret Murray ‘Music for Children’ Series (brown books) and then extended beyond this. Practice of repertoire and improvisation will be expected throughout the course. Demonstrations by experts in various styles of improvisation will be offered with opportunity for participants to jam.

Presented by VOSA. For more information contact Glenys Gijsbers at glenys@stockdaleacs.com.au  or www.vosa.org

Susie and Phil on tour - 2007

As you can see from the list of areas below, we are planning lots of workshops for next year. There are some gaps in our schedule in various areas so if you would like to book us – please enquire NOW so you don’t miss out!
We are booking in Professional Development workshops for teachers, Artist in School programs, children’s shows, workshops and classes for preschools and schools, performances for festivals and Musikeynotes for conferences – see below for more info.

We can send you detailed information and a costing tailor-made for your individual situation. If you would like to make a booking for 2007 please contact us at info@welcometomusic.net 

Notes:
Venue details to be confirmed prior to each event.
Workshops marked * are offered by 3rd parties - enquiries and/or bookings should be directed to the email addresses shown.
All details are subject to change and will be confirmed at time of booking.

Article: Preschool Music Classes

Susie and Phil enjoyed teaching music classes at Surrey Hills Preschool and Sunnyside Preschool in 2006 and will be continuing into 2007. Each week we start with an action song, then a hello song to encourage individual singing, singing games, movement and dance activities and end with an instrument song and goodbye song. Ritual and repetition are very important.

The goals of a music program are:

• Enjoyment and fun with music.
• To encourage children to always use their beautiful singing voices
• To acquire a repertoire of rhymes, songs, musical games, and dances. 
• To play and enjoy a range of percussion instruments.
• To develop a sense of beat
• To discriminate between high and low sounds. (Pitch)
• To discriminate between loud and soft.  (Dynamics)
• To discriminate between fast and slow.  (Tempo)
• Improvisation - using creative imagination and free expression.
• To promote social interaction, concentration, body awareness, language skills, listening skills and a range of general skills – most importantly self esteem and confidence.

There is nothing more joyous than watching children’s musical confidence build over time - seeing a 3-year-old delight in being a movement leader or a 4-year-old discover their high singing voice for the first time. This is a gift to behold.

To read the entire article click here

Testimonials - What people are saying

Our workshops, conferences and other stuff…..

 “On a personal note, I'd like to express my absolute delight with your entire presentation on the day. I looked around the group during your presentation and noticed the high level of participation and energy in the auditorium, and the rapport and interaction amongst the participants, I thoroughly enjoyed your masterclass which I thought was well-planned, sequenced and presented with warmth and integrity.Thank you for coming and sharing your passion for music with us.”

Robbie Leikvold, ECTA Conference Co-Convener. Qld

“I just wanted to say a huge thank-you for the PD. It was so fantastic and really did exceed my expectations. Not only did you motivate me to want to teach music but you gave me answers to all the questions I had like how do you teach choirs and harmonies. I found it quite an overwhelming and emotional experience. I also loved the whole approach to teaching music and hope I can remember all your invaluable information next year. Thank-you so much for a brilliant day ”  

Sandy Robertson, teacher Vic

“Dear Susie and Phil, I would like to express my gratitude for your expertise and wonderful presentations (in Kuala Lumpur July 2006). We look forward for future collaboration.”

Ann Lee, Director, Opus Academy of Music, KL, Malaysia

Our songs:

“Our Senior Festival in September selected ‘Feel The Joy’ and ‘Down Under In Australia’ for two of the four massed singing songs and our school performed "Life's A Celebration" as our item. The kids took to it on day one of rehearsals and can't stop singing it. Thank you both so much for the uplifting songs that you create. It makes music teaching so rewarding.”

Julie Rob, Warnbro Primary Music Specialist,WA

“I have just returned from an International School Exchange trip, for three weeks, in Mexico, with seven Grade 6 students. As part of this experience we were required to prepare and perform a "Cultural Show". We performed the show twice and each time, the highlight, the item most appreciated by the audience was our seven students singing ‘The Green and the Gold’.

Our students all said it was their favourite part of the show and gave that extra little bit of themselves when we came to sing it each time. Thank you so much for such a beautiful and inspirational song that made us so proud to be Australian.”

Keira Cowell, Performing Arts, Belgrave South Primary School, Vic

“I thought I'd let you know that my two year 3 classes have been working on ‘Chester's Cool School Band’ over the term. Our performance was a hit; We got a standing ovation at the end of the performance! This was the only standing ovation anyone has ever received for an assembly item. Thanks for providing such wonderful material to work with.”  

Michelle Mackinnon, Terang College, Vic

“Thank you for helping us with an inspirational project to write our school song. The school choir rehearsals were exceptional for both choristers and choir teachers.. I think the audience applause said it all. All classes could be heard singing the song in preparation for the launch and the whole school rehearsed enthusiastically on a number of occasions. The children at every year level are embracing the song. My prep class requested the song be sung several times a day. The grade six children sang the school song at their “Graduation. We’ve had some wonderful feedback from parents and teachers throughout the life of the project.”

Anne Cole, Music specialist, Mitcham Primary School,Vic

Our Artists in Schools programs:

 “Wow!  What an amazing week! It was great to witness the power of music transform the whole school into a big musical ensemble.  All aspects of the school community came together, through Susie and Phil, for the final outcome, which of course was the performance. The children were brought out of their “shells” and inhibitions to sing, create movements, play instruments, perform and extend on the talents they already had"

Ian Phillips, Flagstone Primary School, Flagstone, Qld

“When I returned to St Georges the entire school was a buzz with your show -the students, the aides, the staff, the principal.  You made a HUGE impact.  Staff that had been at the school longest said that it was the most 'at the right level' and engaging show that the kids had ever had. The kids were most animated and enthusiastic telling me about it.  WELL DONE to both of you.  You have done so well. You both have shared a very special gift here and given it to children who are able to be given only a very few gifts.”

Mary Brake, Special Programs through Music, Launceston, Tas

Our Website:

“I've just finished checking out your website! It's fantastic!!! Congratulations on it. I loved that when you clicked on the images of various products, the song listings are displayed!  Thanks again”

Maria Carras-Kerr, Primary teacher, Brighton, Vic

"Ask Susie" - question and comments

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

On-line shopping now available!

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!

Yours in harmony,

Susie and Phil

PS: If you know another teacher, caregiver or parent who might enjoy reading this newsletter, please 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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All Content © 2007 Welcome to Music - All Rights Reserved

Susie and Phil's 'Welcome to Music'  
Susie Davies-Splitter and Phil Splitter
PO Box 268 East Bentleigh  Victoria, 3165, Australia
Ph: 1300 769 803   Fax: 1300 769 805
info@welcometomusic.net
www.welcometomusic.net