http://welcometomusic.net/enews/sep_06
Please do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us please email info@welcometomusic.net
|
||
|
September 2006 | |
|
Dear Friend of MusicWelcomeWelcome to the September edition of Music Notes. A special welcome to our friends who attended the ISME (International Society of Music Education) conference and all the teachers who attended the Opus Academy of Music workshop in KL, Malaysia. Phil and I had a wonderful time in Kuala Lumpur and then had a week off in Penang which is an island on the north western side of Malaysia. At the ISME conference, together with Dr Timothy Brophy from the USA, we co-chaired and organised the ‘Orff Schulwerk’ strand. This consisted of a collection of practical and creative music and movement making workshops taken by excellent ‘Orff’ practitioners from around the world plus an ‘Orff’ discussion panel. Wolfgang Hartmann from the Orff Foundation in Munich and Judith Cole, past president of AOSA (American Orff Schulwerk Association) were the guest speakers at the colloquium/panel discussion. There is much to report to you and next month you will be able to read my ISME report. However, for now you can read our workshop notes - click on ‘Get Orff on Jazz and Blues’ and ‘Get Orff on Singing’ Please see some photos below (click on any image to view it larger).
On the Sunday after the conference, Phil and I presented a full day Early childhood music workshop for Opus Academy of Music which was so much fun with such lovely people – see photos below.
I am thrilled to tell you that I was awarded the HPS (Humphries, Parker, Smith) grant towards establishing the ‘Orff’ strand at the ISME conference in KL. The HPS fund is an initiative of ANCOS (Australian National Council of Orff Schulwerk). For the first time ever in Australia, the ‘National Music Workshop’ took place during the last week in August in Melbourne. This workshop was one of the outcomes to the findings of the NRSME (National Review of School Music Education). 165 representatives from schools, education authorities such as State education departments and universities, music organisations, professional bodies and interest groups from around Australia, met to share their experiences of best practice in music education and to explore how such practice may be extended. I felt honoured and privileged to be a part of this history making experience. As a result of the National Music Workshop, I was interviewed on 774 radio about music in Australia and in our schools. So you may ask – why is Australia having an investigation into music education in schools? Despite world wide research showing enormous benefits of music for all people from womb to tomb, most Australians are not active music makers. Research shows that 75% of Australians say they would love to be involved in music making but aren’t for varied reasons, such as lack of access, and perception that music is for the gifted. Many Australian children are missing out on a quality, effective and consistent music education and so are missing out on essential skills that music can provide. I’d like to acknowledge Ian Harvey from AMA and Tina Broad MPFL (Music Play for Life campaign) for all their help in providing me with research articles and website links for the interview. To read more about the National Music Workshop and how we can improve music education in Australia click here. Music ‘PLAYshops’ (Professional development)for teachers - presented by Susie Davies-Splitter and Phil Splitter Victoria: Early Childhood Music Workshops Wed 11th Oct – Mowbray College Melton, Victoria - click here for flier Fri 13th Oct - Red Cliffs Uniting Church, near Mildura, Victoria- click here for flier Sat 14th Oct – Red Cliffs Uniting Church, near Mildura, Vic -click here for flier Fri 10th Nov - Hampton Primary School, Melb - click here for flier Adelaide: Teacher Workshop - Fri 3rd Nov Would you like free registration to a teacher PLAYshop in your area (Australia wide) in 2007? We are planning our program for 2007 and are always looking for suitable venues to run our PLAYshops (workshops) – if you think your centre, school, or organisation might be suitable we’d love to hear from you. In return, we would be happy to offer 2 free registrations.This works really well and can be a great opportunity to promote your centre or school to the general teaching community. Contact us on workshops@welcometomusic.net Other EventsVOSA Level 1 and 2 Orff Courses 2006 Making Music, Being Well: ‘Singing as Essential Learning’ – amuse Spring Symposium The conference aims to provide participants with:
Susie and Phil will be presenting 2 x workshop electives over the weekend as well as performing at the dinner with their vocal quartet ‘Life’s a Pitch' ‘Singing for Fun & Healing’ –
Click here for more information Our music to the worldAustralian Songwriter's Association Article - ‘National Music Workshop’, Melbourneby Susie Davies-Splitter For the first time in Australia, 165 representatives from schools, education authorities such as State education departments and universities, music organisations, professional bodies and interest groups from around Australia met to share their experiences of best practice in music education and explore how such practice may be extended. I felt honoured and privileged to be a part of this history making experience. The direction of the workshop was set by the themes and recommendations contained in the review (a fantastic resource that you all must read - 279 pages and available here) including ideas around:
To read the entire article click here Workshop Notes from the ISME ConferenceKuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 2006 About Orff Schulwerk Orff Schulwerk is based on things children naturally like to do such as sing, chant rhymes, dance, clap, etc. These instincts are directed into learning music by hearing and making music first, then reading and writing it later. This is the same way we all learn our language. It is “Music for Children”, designed for ALL children, a unique music learning approach. Each child contributes according to his/her ability. It is a general artistic education rather than a method of music instruction. “I wanted to discover a way of reviewing the natural unity of music and movement, a way that would be available not only to a few natural artists but would solve the educational problem of awakening and stimulating a love of dancing and music making - a general freedom of expression and receptivity.” This approach helps to educate the whole individual intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally, aesthetically and creatively through active music making, individual input and improvisation. The ideas are centred on the fundamental unity of music including Speech, Singing, Movement and Instruments which are integrated to teach the elements of music. It provides an opportunity to be playful, inventive, creative and at the same time experience the joys of music. “As every phase of the Schulwerk provides stimulation for new independent growth, it is never conclusive and settled, but always developing always growing, always flowing”. (Orff 1963) Goodkin, D. (1993). Reflections on Orff Schulwerk – a collection of articles, USA To read ‘Get Orff with Blues & all that Jazz’ 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 I will attempt to answer it for you. Testimonials - What people are saying26.7.06 9.8.06 17.8.06 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. |
||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
