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Dear John Smith, welcome to this edition of Musicnotes and a special welcome to all our new subscribers, particularly from our recent trips to Singapore and China. In August we were in Beijing for the International Society of Music Educators (ISME) conference where we presented 2 workshops and met lots of wonderful new faces, as well as some familiar ones from previous conferences. So a very big 你好 (nǐhǎo) to all our new friends in China. Before that Susie spent 2 weeks teaching Orff level courses in Shenzen and Zhuhai and let's just say she was very happy to come home and have something other than chicken and rice! We are always so grateful to have the opportunity to travel to new places and meet new friends as we share our music all around the world and we are already practising our 'Kalimera' for the next ISME to be held in Thessoloniki, Greece in 2012. Maybe we'll see some of you there! Yours in harmony,
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What's coming up? |
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‘Hearts in Harmony’ – community music day 10.10.10 at ACU, Melb ACU (The Australian Catholic University Melbourne) School of Education is presenting the first of a series of community music events entitled ‘Hearts in Harmony’ 10.10.10. This day is open to all ages, backgrounds and abilities – no musical experience is required. Join Jon Madin, Geelong’s local teacher/composer/instrument inventor and play some of his wonderful and wacky instruments such as marimbas, echo cellos, shaker rings and musical bikes. He’ll also be doing an instrument making session. Steve Durbin will involve us in drum circles, seasoned children’s entertainer Mike Jackson will teach us how to play ukelekes just for fun, Susie and Phil (Susie Davies-Splitter & Phil Splitter) will have you singing your heart out and Audrey Fine will share some of her wonderful folk dance repertoire with us. With performances at lunchtime with Mike Jackson and school groups as well as displays this event should not be missed. Children under 12 are free, full time secondary and tertiary students and concession holders are just $5 and for the rest of us it’s only $20 early bird rate for the full day! For more info contact Susie.Davies-Splitter@acu.edu.au or click here to view the brochure. Orff level course in Perth - In late September Susie will be jetting across to Perth to be a guest presenter at the Orff level courses presented by the WA Orff Schulwerk Association. Dates are Sept 27 to October 1st. Click here to view flyer. KMEIA National Conference 2010 'Music Matters' 26-29 September East St Kilda Caulfield Grammar School, East St Kilda. Click here to go to KMEIA Events page and then click on 'Vic' Level 1 Orff Schulwerk Course at ACU, Melb. 17-22 Jan 2011 This 36 hour intensive course will take place at ACU, (Australian Catholic University, Melbourne) Victoria Parade, Fitzroy with presenters Susie Davies-Splitter and Sarah Brooke. Successful completion of this course and the VOSA level 1 course will also enable participants to gain credit at ACU towards a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies* with the possibility of continuing into the Masters of Education course *Approval pending. This course is for early childhood and primary pre-service and practicing teachers, music and performing arts specialists and anyone who loves music or uses music in their workplace with children or adults. The course focus is on ‘learning by doing’, helping teachers share their music through practical music making and by creating enjoyable experiences for their students. Limited places are available. Early bird registrations are due by Fri 3rd Dec, 2010 and all applications must be received by 17th Dec, 2010. For further info and a flier contact Susie.Davies-Splitter@acu.edu.au Australian Music Therapy 2010 National Conference 36th National Conference of AMTA Inc. With Music in Mind Conference: Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September 2010 at Sebel Citigate Hotel, Queens Road, Melbourne PDS: Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 September 2010 at Graduate House, University of Melbourne, Leicester Street, Carlton. Click here to go the AMTA website For what else is happening in the world of music education click here to view our 2010 calendar, which is updated regularly. |
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A new song for you |
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For those of you working with young children you would know the importance of having warm up songs and on many of our albums we include a 'hello' song of some sort. We have written a new song that doesn't appear on any of our albums (yet) so we thought we'd share it with you. Feel free to use this as part of your warm-ups with children. Click here to view. We did this song in China on our recent trip - in Chinese. If you would like to have the words in Mandarin please let us know and we will send them to you. |
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We're now on Facebook |
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Yes, we have finally succumbed to the lure of modern technology and are now the proud parents of our very own Facebook page. It's been a long time coming but we want to make sure we are reaching as many people as possible with the joy of music. With videos of workshops, pics, what's coming up and more it's worth a look. Also you can comment (but do be nice!) or send us stuff that you think might be worth sharing. We look forward to seeing you there. To check us out, comment and become a 'Welcome to Music' fan, click here. |
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New resource -'Milo's Birthday Surprise' |
We worked on a project throughout last year which is finally now complete so we thought we should let you know about it. Maureen Pollard is a literacy consultant who is passionate about helping teachers and parents understand the skills involved in teaching children to read and write and she has a business called 'Little Learners Love Literacy'. The Little Learners Love Literacy resources teach children phonemic awareness, the alphabetic principle (connection between sounds and letters), segmenting and blending words, handwriting, spelling and reading. Maureen approached us and asked if we would compose a bunch of new songs to go with her new resource titled 'Milo's Birthday Surprise'. Here is just a little about this exciting new early childhood resource: "It is Monday morning in March and it’s Milo the monkey’s birthday. Milo wants to celebrate with his friends at the park so he decides to ring them. Milo begins to feel really miserable as all of his friends are busy – Sally the snake is skateboarding down a steep slope, Harry the hippopotamus is hiking up the hill to his house. Why doesn’t anyone answer the phone? This is a delightful way of introducing letters and sounds to children using the names of the Milo’s animal friends as a memory jogger. Becoming aware of the link between sounds and letters is the first step in learning to read. Engaging and bright illustrations prompt children to search for clues about Milo’s birthday surprise." So we have composed and recorded 27 brand new songs - one for each letter of the alphabet, plus a theme song. The story book and the new CD and a teacher's manual are now available plus a host of other related resources. Click here to order or click here to find out more about the Little Learners program. |
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'Your Stage' - Music book coming |
In response to many teachers' requests we are producing a music book - with lyrics and notated music for all the songs off our popular inclusive resource 'Your Stage'. This will be as an accompaniment to the excellent text written by Mary Brake and will be available shortly. To find out about 'Your Stage' click here. The 'Your Stage' music book will be available shortly - we'll let you know as soon as it is ready. |
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What's been happening |
Singapore - In June we went to Singapore where Susie co-presented with Sarah Brooke Orff level courses followed by the 2nd MUSAIC where Susie and Phil presented and caught up with friends, old and new. It was great to be there with Sarah, Jon Madin, Arthur Hull, Joan Pope and of course all our Singapore friends who went to amazing lengths to make sure the event was up to the usual standard and very well run. So a huge thanks to Pat Koh and all the team from Pat's Schoolhouse for their fantastic work to make sure MUSAIC was such a great success. We are already planning for the next one to be held in 2012. China - In mid July Susie left for China with Sarah Brooke as they were presenting Orff level courses in Shenzen and Zhouhai for 2 weeks before ending up in Beijing to be joined by Phil for the International Society of Music Educators (ISME) biennnial conference. Susie and Phil presented a teacher workshop for about 300 people in a room meant for 50 and then a student demonstration class in a large theatre with about 1000 people. The good news was they only had about 15 students!! Click here to see more pics from Susie and Phil's China travels, including their (brief) tour of the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Great wall. If you would like a more detailed description click here to read Susie's blog about the trip. ECCPA - On their return from China it wasn't long before the 14th ECCPA (Early Childhood Conference of the Performing Arts) conference in Melbourne and as usual it was a great success. The guest international presenter this year was Dick Watts from America and he was a real hit. Of course all the presenters from Australia and New Zealand were also wonderful as always. Susie and Phil presented 2 workshops - one on the Saturday and one on the Sunday and also had a trade display that was well attended throughout the weekend. It was also great to see so many of our friends from 'Mini Maestros' there too in their bright yellow shirts. Not only did they add an element of fun, it was lovely to have them there given the significance of the 'Jenny Fogarty' scholarship that is awarded each year. Congrats to the winner too! To view some of the pics and some fun video taken at our workshops click here to go to our Facebook page and scroll down below the China pics. |
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Could Choristers save the world?? |
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We found this article in the current edition 'Music Play for Life' - Campaign update. A recent report from the US National Endowment for The Arts looked at patterns of civic and social engagement among 'art goers'. It found that 65 per cent of adults who sang in choirs did voluntary or charity work and 60 per cent attended community meetings. 'These rates not only exceed the national averages, but they also surpass volunteer and community meeting rates reported by performing arts and art museum attendees,' says Ann Meier Baker, CEO and president of Chorus America. Click here to view the full article. To find out more about the wonderful things Music Play for LIfe are doing to 'get more Australians making music in schools, communities and everywhere' click here to go to their website. |
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What people are saying |
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Hi Susie and Phil Just a quick note to say thank-you for posting out "Everyone Sing" from your choral pack last week for our major piece for an Eisteddfod.The lovely ladies in the office did ask me to let you know how we did in the competition and I am pleased to say that our senior choir won their section!! We competed in a section with 10 other Primary School choirs from across Gippsland and...click here to read more |
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Phil's PHILosophy |
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Now this video clip is quite lengthy - but well worth it I think. So take a few minutes, make a nice cup of tea, sit down, relax and take it in. http://video.aol.ca/video-detail/animal-school/3252347694 Now that you've taken the time to do that, as a bonus click on the link below to have your computer screen cleaned - with my compliments! (Make sure your screen is set to full size to get the best possible clean) http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf and now the final word.... "Show me a person who doesn't know the meaning of fear, and I'll show you a person who is hopeless at crossword puzzles!" See you for some more of Phil's PHILosophy in the next edition of Musicnotes.
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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. You can read more about 'Welcome To Music', listen to tracks, shop on line and more on our website: www.welcometomusic.net. |
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