July 2006
http://welcometomusic.net/enews/july_06
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July 2006 |
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Dear Friend of MusicWelcome... to the July edition of Music Notes, particularly to those who have only recently subscribed. We hope you will find this newsletter useful and informative. A special hi to all those of you who we have seen at a workshop somewhere around the country. Since our last edition we have had a lot of fun on the road travelling to Flagstone Primary School in southern Queensland working with all the students in the primary school over 4 days which culminated in a concert – well done to all the students and to Ian Phillips their wonderful music teacher. We then headed north and spent an evening with Laurelle Olsson and the Caboolture Community Choir. Over to Perth for music workshops and over 1000 km up north in WA to a small mining town called Newman. We worked at the Newman Primary School where they don’t have any music – our brief was to have the students and teachers singing, dancing and playing after 2 days of intensive music making – we’re still waiting to hear the results. A couple of weeks later we travelled up to Brisbane to present at the Early Childhood Teachers Association (ECTA) conference. Phil ran his Musikeynote "I'm not stressed - I always look like this", and we presented a Masterclass ‘Learning in the key of Music’ – click here to read the article. A couple of workshops at the Kodaly conference in Brisbane and back home to Melbourne. Since then, we have been in the studio recording our new album. Music Playshops (Workshops) for teachers in Victoriapresented by Susie Davies-Splitter and Phil SplitterEarly Childhood Music Workshops Teacher Workshop in Adelaide 2006 Other Events‘Life’s a Pitch’ & ‘Borboleta’ IN CONCERT Sat 9th Sept 7.30-11.00pm Enjoy an evening of entertainment with these two fabulous a cappella groups. Dinner from 7.30 pm or showtime from 8.30 – 11.00 pm VOSA Level 1 and 2 Orff Courses 2006 What's new?New 'Musikeynote' presentation for PD days or conferences: "I'm not stressed - I always look like this" In this highly interactive and entertaining presentation, Phil puts forward the notion that although we have stress in our lives, it’s how we manage it that can make the difference between thriving or just surviving! Phil helps to uncover the myths of what stress is, why we have it and what we can do about it, in a fun and lighthearted manner that gives his audience some much needed strategies for coping in the boardroom, the classroom, the staffroom …..and beyond! ‘I’m not stressed, I always look like this!’ is a great way to begin or close a conference or PD day, one where people will walk away feeling energised, empowered, enthused, entertained…and ‘enspired’ to tackle the task of teaching with renewed vigor. For information on this and other 'Musikeynote' presentations please click here New Album update
Our Music to the WorldWe often send our songs to various submissions from all around the world and every once in a while we receive some international recognition. So we are very excited to let you know that we have won 2nd place in the Children’s’ section of the Unisong International songwriting contest (held in the USA) with one of our songs ‘Dinky Di Aussie’. Have a look at www.unisong.com - apparently, this was out of 600 entries! Article - ‘Learning in the key of Music’by Susie Davies-Splitter An involvement in a music program helps to educate the whole individual intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally and creatively. An “Orff” based approach can inspire children to sing, move, dance, listen, create, play instruments and love music. Have them jumping for joy with material that makes learning interesting and fun. The child’s early fascination and love for music and movement can be channeled into a life-long enthusiasm through an involvement in an enjoyable and active music program! Music can be fun, easy and accessible for all. Music is unique and can enable children to feel and understand the music cognitively through rhythmic work on body and instruments, physically and kinaesthetically through movement, emotionally through self expression, and through one’s sensibilities - that of the aural, visual and tactile. This holistic style of teaching allows children to experience the music through their body, mind and spirit. A simple movement, vocal or rhythmic trigger can recall the material years later. Why is music important? When can music be introduced? How can music be introduced? What music can we teach in an Early childhood setting? For the preschool teacher, general classroom teacher OR Arts specialist – what you can do…. Where can you go to learn more? To read the entire article click here Ask Susie - question and comments forumIf 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. Letter re NRSME (National Review of School Music Education) 2/5/06 Dear Susie I have forwarded your recent newsletter to Geelong teachers. Thank you for including the draft letters concerning the NRSME review. In the last 20 years in Victoria, I have observed the diminishing of Music Education in Education/Teacher training courses at Melbourne University, and the closing down of all music facilities for Inservice of Class Teachers Primary and Secondary, and the dispersal of the resources. How can music be included in state schools without trained teachers? Very few state schools in Geelong have qualified class music teachers. Many schools present an end of year "extravaganza" with students miming to CD's with costumes.... in large venues with lighting and amplification, etc. which does not pass for music education! How are parents to know that this does not represent a structured music program? In the 80's many class teachers attended Inservice days, desiring to enhance their limited music skills, as they were expected to conduct music classes at their school. This ceased when the Government closed the programs. Best wishes, and my reply ... Dear Heather, Thanks so much for your Email. I do agree with you re how can music be included in schools without trained teachers. However, given this realistic situation, Phil and I make it our mission through our professional development days to work with many teachers (both preschool and primary) who have no music background and provide a handful of skills and ideas of how to include music in the curriculum. With enthusiasm and commitment, all teachers AND parents can provide children with the musical basics and in particular a LOVE for music. Let's face it, in an ideal world, this would be reinforced with excellent music teaching models, alas this is not the case. We must be positive and sign the draft letters that are attached to the latest NRSME review. We need to work together, have a united voice and hassle our local councillors and politicians about the vital importance of music education in our schools and in the community. I believe, together we CAN make a difference. Many thanks again, finally ... Congratulations for your efforts to help our communities realise This week, one mother said that if today's child did not get access where is the publicity for the Arts? We don't have the mega- $$'s Best wishes, Can you help?We are looking to put together a list of associations and conferences around Australia to be able to recommend to you for:
If you subscribe to or know of a great association and/or they have a wonderful conference we’d like to know about it – please email susie@welcometomusic.net AssociationsBallarat and District Kindergarten Teacher's Association Elizabeth Lockett, Director, Wallace & District Kindergarten, Vic Re Events – check this out…Dear Susie, Do you know about Choralfest, a wonderful conference for those who teach choir, coming up soon in Hobart, 10th-14th July. Check out the website at Regards, Testimonials - What people are saying about:Our songs… Thank you for everything you offer in music. The work and the material you & Phil produce is outstanding. All my best wishes Dear Susie and Phil, Just a quick note to say thank for your wonderful song material. I teach at Dorset PS and St. Bridgets PS (as well as local Kinders) and my children are really enjoying the songs (as they always have done.) I have used your material for years. So I thought that I would say a big THANK YOU! Currently both schools are learning 'I Can Do It' from P-6 to fit in with their "You Can Do It" program. The other staff think that I am so clever to find this great song material WITH CD baktraks. hahah Thanks again and we are looking forward to the new album Michele Verhagen, music teacher, Dorset Primary School, Croydon, Melbourne 31.5.06 Just wanted to let you know.... I have just returned, on Saturday, 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". This took the form of songs, dances, poetry and a puppet show about various aspects of our history, flora and fauna, geography and culture. We performed the show twice and each time, the highlight, the item most appreciated by the audience was our seven students singing your The Green and the Gold. with a PowerPoint slide show of images of Australia playing behind them. 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. When they performed the Cultural Show for their parents and family before we left, there was not a dry eye in the place. I believe it will become a standard inclusion in our Cultural Show each year as we visit new destinations. 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, Melb Friday, 2 June 2006 Yes I would normally be at your workshop as I have attended them for many I continue to recommend your products and have every one of them in my Regards, Our work… May 2006 After attending several workshops with Susie and Phil at the Maryborough Music Teachers’ Conference I felt motivated to invite them to work with our little community choir (and a few extras) in Caboolture, Qld. We are so grateful that they accepted our invitation because we had a fantastic two hours of magical vocal harmonies, movement to music and moments of riotous mayhem! What a thrill to see people from teens to 80+’s united in singing songs which refuse to recognise the concept of a generation gap. Thanks for the experience. May 2006 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. With 700 children performing together with teachers and parents there to teach, witness and support, it encompassed the whole school philosophy of inclusion. Ian Phillips, Flagstone Primary School, Flagstone, Qld 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. Unsubscribe Information Click here to automatically send us your instructions, or reply to this email with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line, and we will remove you from our email list. |
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