Dear Friend of Music

Welcome . . .

Welcome to the November issue of 'Musicnotes - Can you believe we're already
well into term 4?

In this issue we have included information about our new album for next year  'Take Orff with Recorder' as well as information about ‘Music, count us in’ campaign, the Joy of Jammin’  improvisation course and a bird’s eye view of  music events for 2008.

What's New?

We have been putting the finishing touches to our new project, 'Take Orff with Recorder' which is the second album in the series after 'Take Orff with Jazz' which was released earlier this year.

 ‘Take Orff with Recorder’ –- new resource for 2008 by Susie Davies-Splitter & Phil Splitter

Following on from 'Take Orff with Jazz' this is a collection of classroom recorder pieces based on the Orff Schulwerk approach. It includes Susie and Phil’s original and popular pieces and arrangements from the 'Welcome to Music' Series adapted and modified for recorder in various styles including jazz, blues, latin, reggae, calypso etc. All pieces have opportunities for recorder improvisation and can combine speech, body percussion, singing, movement, dance and percussion instruments. The repertoire is applicable for 7-12 year olds.

The teacher’s kit consists of 2 CDs – recorder/vocal CD, Baktraks CD and a teacher’s manual that includes music, guitar chords, words, percussion arrangements, and ideas on how to best use the material.

What's been happening?

A big hi to all our new subscribers that we have met on our travels and we hope you are still helping to spread the word about the importance of music in our lives.

In July, Susie presented the Joy of Jammin’ improvisation course. Click here to read the reports, testimonials and 2008 brochure.

‘Joy of Jammin’ improvisation course July 2007

Stages 1 and 2 Joy of Jammin’ courses will be offered in 2008. Promoting self expression, joy, confidence and well being through musical improvisation. Sing, say, move, dance, play and create music that is accessible for all. For anyone interested in expressing themselves creatively and confidently through music

Melbourne, 2008 – approx 30 hours Wesley College, Elsternwick
Information session at Mosaic conference Mt Eliza, Tues Jan 8th, 5.30pm
Information session at Living Music and Dance conference, Fri 18th April
Stage 1 - Sun 6th to Thurs 10th July – (early bird deadline 30th April 08)
Stage 2 - Sun 28th Sept to Thurs 2nd Oct – (early bird deadline 31st July, 08)

Sydney, 2008 – approx 30 hours St Catherine’s Anglican School for Girls, Waverley
Stage 1 – Part 1 – Fri 30th May to Sun 1st June – Part 2 – Fri 14th to Sun 16th Nov (early bird deadline 31st March 08) 
For more information - www.vosa.org

We have been presenting PLAYshops in lots of fun places over the last couple of months including Brisbane, with early childhood and Primary workshops plus a workshop for Music therapists. Click here for the report on the Brisbane workshops.

We also did a workshop with the Brisbane Birralee voices at their annual music camp, which was a lot of fun!

Prior to that we traveled to Maryborough in Queensland, for the Biennial Music teacher's conference and to  Perth in WA and Bendigo in Vic, as well as giving our weekly music classes for Kinders in Melbourne and a ‘recycling’ PD evening for the City of Kingston. Along the way we presented the opening MusiKeynote at the Yarra Ranges Pre-School Teachers Group conference in Mt Evelyn in Melbourne and Susie gave a few sessions at the annual VOSA marimba camp -  so just another fairly quiet day at the office!

Speaking of travels, we wanted to let you know that it might be a while before you see another enews from us because we are currently on a 3 month tour of Canada, The USA and Singapore as we take our Aussie music to the world! However we may send quick updates from time to time but just as simple text - so we hope you don't mind.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all an enjoyable term 4 and look forward to sharing new ideas and music next year.

‘Music- Count Us In’ campaign, Melbourne, Aug 30th 2007
Promoting the Value of Music Education in Schools

‘Music- Count Us In’ is a National initiative to promote the value of school
music education. Thousands of students in hundreds of schools all over Australia performed the same song especially composed by John Forman titled Count Us In Life is a Song to celebrate the value of music education in schools.
The song was presented at 11am on August 30 across the Nation - Australia’s largest simultaneous music event. Some schools had their performance at school, and some selected a venue close to their school.
 
The City Square in Melbourne was made available for the massed performance at 11.00am in the presence of The Hon Julie Bishop MP featuring a 400-voice choir. See the Count Us In Website www.musiccountusin.org.au

2007 Calendar

*Canada workshops with Denise Gagne from Theme and Variations

*USA for AOSA (American Orff Schulwerk Association) Chapters

*Singapore   for Pat’s Schoolhouse

2008 Calendar

Orff Schulwerk Music Education Events coming up in Melbourne, Australia 08

Mosaic - National ANCOS conference – 6th-11th Jan, 2008
Guest Presenters Andrea Ostertag (Salzburg), Keith Terry (USA), Christoph Maubach (Australia), Rodrigo Fernandez (Germany)

Living, Music and Dance Middle Years Conference – 18th & 19th April 08
Guest Presenter Kalani (USA)

VOSA Level 1 & 2 Courses (36 hours) – 31st March – 5th April 08
Presenters -  Sarah Brooke, Susie Davies-Splitter, Melissa Dods and Christoph Maubach

The Joy of Jammin’ Orff Schulwerk improvisation course stage 1 – 6th – 10th July 08 Presented by Susie Davies-Splitter

ECCPA – Early Childhood Conference of Performing Arts – 23rd & 24th August 08 Guest Presenter Dr Ciro Paduano (Italy)

The Joy of Jammin’ Orff Schulwerk improvisation course stage 2 – 28th Sept – 2nd Oct  08 Presented by Susie Davies-Splitter

VOSA (the Victorian Orff Schulwerk Association) www.vosa.org     
ANCOS (Australian National Council Orff Schulwerk) www.ancos.org.au 

ISME (International Society of Music Education) Bologna, Italy 20th – 23rd July 08 Come and join the ‘Orff’ strand   www.isme.org

Ask Susie - question and comments forum

What people are saying

about our songs…..
 “I have been listening to ‘Sing, Jam & Jive’ a lot over the last few days and am amazed at your ability to move so convincingly from one style to another.
You are both incredible musicians!!  I love Phil's vocal beat boxing bit!!  Have been doing lots of vocal improv to the CD...  ‘Imagine If’ is the real winner for me from this CD.Without a doubt each CD that you produce gets better and better!!!  I am so in awe of you both!!!”
Mary Brake, Special Ed Teacher, Tas

"I would like to say once again thank you for allowing us to use “The Green and the Gold" for our dedication ceremony as it was enjoyed by all. If we have an occasion to want to use it in the future I will let you know, and I will promote it as much as I can."Regards, Marlene Quirk, Secretary, National Servicemen's Association of Aust. W.A. Branch, Mandurah, WA 

about our kids programs…..
1.8.07
Dear Phil,
Many thanks for your work at our Kids Care program last Saturday. The staff tell me that the young people had great fun and so did they.
Thanks again.
 Heather Geerts, Manager Community & Consumer Liaison, Reach Out Southern Mental Health, Vic

about our MusiKeynotes…..
6.9.07
We really enjoyed having "Phil & Susie" to open our early childhood conference in the Yarra Ranges with their entertaining and educational performance. Feedback from our participants indicates they found it 'fantastic', 'inspiring' and 'lots of fun'. As well as encouraging us to broaden the music we present to the children we teach, it also gave us lots of ideas on how to do so. In addition, Phil & Susie set the tone for our conference day as a great day of fun, enthusiasm and learning for us all. Cath Wood, Vic

about our Artists in schools programs…..
9.07
Rossmoyne Primary School was fortunate enough to have the pleasure of Susie and Phil's company for a  day.  They worked with all year levels on improvisation.  As one staff member commented, "They had the kids eating out of their hands".  The Junior students are still talking about 'the crazy conductor' and they're all asking me when we can purchase some sets of boomwhackers.  It was great to see the kids so actively involved in performance.
Wendy Oliver.  Music Specialist , Rossmoyne Primary School., Perth WA

Click here for what people are saying about The Joy of Jammin’ courses…..

Click here for for what people are saying about our teacher playshops…..

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!

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.

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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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

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