Dear Friend of Music

Welcome to our third e-Newsletter!

It is our intention to send you an informative E-newsletter each month filled with tips on how to use music effectively with your children, relevant workshop and event information and updates on useful products. We would LOVE to hear from you and therefore have added an Ask Susie question and comments forum.

As always, Phil and I have had an action packed couple of months since we last spoke to you. I presented at level 1 and 2 Orff Schulwerk courses in Melbourne in April that were very successful with a large contingent of participants from Malaysia, as well as New Zealand and interstate. Phil and I travelled to Brisbane for a full day workshop and have participated in a number of shows and Artist in School programs.

Last weekend, VOSA (the Victorian Orff Schulwerk Association) presented the 9th Early Childhood Conference of Performing Arts at Genazzano College in Kew, Melbourne. As the president of the Association and co-coordinator of this event, it was a busy and incredibly fulfilling weekend. More than 200 early childhood educators from all over the world sang, danced, played and created wonderful music together.

If you would like further information about VOSA, level courses or ECCPA please go to www.vosa.org

Fit for Life

To celebrate education week, Jells Park Primary School created a ‘Fit for Life' theme and invited me to speak at their open evening attended by all students and parents.

I spoke about how music relates to the theme and of course we all sang and moved together. I believe to be fit for life – we need to educate the whole individual - intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally, kinaesthetically, artistically, aesthetically and creatively. Music (an integration of singing, saying, moving, dancing, playing and creating) can do all of these things.

Music touches on more areas of study
than any other subject in the curriculum.

Doug Goodkin, American music educator says “Music is a science, mathematical, a foreign language, history, physical education, and most of all it is art. PE lacks the intellectual dimension, maths the aesthetic, art lacks the social, language lacks the physical etc. Only music would develop all four side by side!”

If we hear, feel, think and do -
we will remember and understand.

Carl Rogers, psychologist, said - ‘Learning which involves the whole person of the learner, feelings as well as intellect, is the most lasting and pervasive'

Music is an art form, a science, and a physical discipline. It has its own special technical vocabulary, its own history and knowledge to be communicated. Successful music making is a balance of the physical, sensory, emotional and intellectual aspects of the human being hearing, thinking, feeling and doing.

Therefore, music education can enable children to become fit in all these areas.

Workshop Dates for 2005

For all preschool and primary school teachers, caregivers, family day care workers, therapists and parents. Exciting, energetic, motivational and interactive music workshops with Susie and Phil featuring the brand NEW Album for 2005 Funkey Monkey.

Canberra ACT - Sat 6th Aug Elizabeth.Barfoed@act.gov.au

Warrnambool area*, VIC - Fri 2nd Sept workshops@welcometomusic.net

Sale VIC - Fri 7th Oct workshops@welcometomusic.net view info

Melbourne* VIC - Fri 11th Nov workshops@welcometomusic.net

*Can you help? We are looking for a school or preschool venue that we can use for the Warnambool 2/9 and Melbourne 11/11 workshops. We require a large room with access to 2 or 3 tables, chairs for all participants, access to kitchen, toilets and parking. Access to percussion instruments would be a bonus. In return, you and some of your staff can participate for free. If you are interested please contact us on info@welcometomusic.net

Would you like Professional Development, a show, Artist in School (AIS) program, preschool music program or commissioned song for your staff or students?

Please click if you would like further info on:

Wherever you live in the world, we hope to come and visit you soon. Please see our 2005 workshop calendar which will tell you where we plan to travel to this year. If we are in your area and you would like us to visit your centre or school, please contact us and we will try to arrange it for you. We plan to travel to New Zealand, Singapore, Europe and the USA in 2006.

Special Offer – valid until end June 05

Book a PD session, show, AIS program or seminar and you will receive a free Teacher's Kit up to the value of $89 when you mention this special offer.

Teacher Volunteers wanted

.. for a 25 hour Orff based improvisation course in Melbourne, term 3 2005.

Music teachers are being sought from a range of teaching settings – studio or classroom at preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary level. The pre-requisite is that teachers have at least some basic music background, can improvise at a basic level and have the desire to break through this barrier. This course is only $50 (to pay for venue hire and photocopying) in return for full participation in the course.

If you would like to read more about it please click here (MS Word doc).

For more information email susie@welcometomusic.net .

WELCOME TO MUSIC (WtM) SURVEY

We need your help!

Fill in our short, one page survey to help us create resources you want.

By doing so go in the draw for free WtM resources up to $119 !

Please click here to go to the survey (MS Word doc) or here (PDF)

Focus Group in Melbourne – we need your help by the end of June 05

We are looking for a group of experienced educators in preschools and primary schools who find our WtM products extremely useful and valuable. We would ideally like a mix of music specialists and non music specialists. Our goal is to meet over coffee either late afternoon or on a Saturday morning several times per year to discuss and give us feedback on;

Your musical needs; Product development; Resources that work; Trying out new activities with your children, reviewing etc. In return for your time, you will receive free products. If you are interested please contact us at info@welcometomusic.net

On-line shopping ... now available here!

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 !

Ask Susie question and comments forum

If you would like to ask me about anything relating to music education click here to send me an email and I will attempt to answer it for you.

Yours in harmony,

Susie and Phil

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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