Dear John Smith,

Wow - can you believe that 2010 is almost gone? It's amazing how quickly the weeks and months have flown by and we hope that you have lots of music in your lives in one form or another. There are going to be heaps of great events for 2011 as you will see and we will continue adding these to our calendar as they come up. In the meantime we have some end of year/ graduation song ideas, a bonus when you place an order before Xmas, and an update of what's been happening, plus a couple of fun video clips in 'Phil's PHILosophy' We know how busy it can be at this time of year so read on, enjoy and then....back to work!

Yours in harmony,

Give the gift of music - Special offer!

Yes, it's that time of year again and if you would like to give the gift of music this year we have come up with a very special offer for our Enews subscribers. Simply spend a minimum of $60 (which would give you 2 of our CDs as pressies) and we will give you a copy of our newest musical story book and CD for young children - 'The Tiny Caterpillar', valued at $19. Or spend just $30 (That's just one CD) and receive a copy of Phil's little humour book for all ages 'Don't you hate it when...' , valued at $10 completely free! Click on either title or here to go to our on-line shop and make sure you copy and paste or type in either 'TCXmasoffer' or 'DUHIWXmasoffer' into the promo field. (Please note Postage and handling charges still apply)

What's coming up

Yes, 2010 is almost done and dusted but there are already lots of great events planned for 2011... and beyond!

Jan - Orff Level 1 course in Melbourne -early bird cut off Friday 3rd Dec (save $50)

For those of you looking to take your teaching to the next level (pardon the pun) and/or looking for something worthwhile to do over the summer holidays, we are pleased to announce a Level 1 Orff Schulwerk Course in Melbourne from 17-22 January 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.

This course is accredited through ANCOS (Australian National Council of Orff Schulwerk) and successful completion of this course will 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. No musical experience or knowledge is necessary, however it is expected that participants will familiarise themselves with some basic music theory and concepts prior to the course.

This course is for Early childhood and Primary and Secondary 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 3^rd Dec, 2010 and all applications must be received by 17^th Dec, 2010.

Click here to download the registration form

Feb - Back To School Professional Development Day in Melbourne

Presenters have now been confirmed. Again in 2011 this workshop is being held jointly with KMEIA on Saturday 26 February at Kilvington Girls’ Grammar School in Ormond, from 9am to 1pm. Susie Davies-Splitter, Julia Piggin and Mark O’Leary are presenting. This workshop is also suitable for teachers who are new to the music classroom. Mark the date in your new diary now! Early bird registrations are to be booked and paid for by 11 February.

Click here to download the brochure.

You can also register using this link http://tinyurl.com/2cotetr

April - Orff level courses in Melbourne.

Australian Orff Level courses accredited through ANCOS (Australian National Council of Orff Schulwerk)

Subjects include Movement and Dance, Orchestration and Analysis, Technique and Improvisation, Recorder, Vocal Studies and Pedagogy.

Each course is 36 hours. There are 4 levels in total - below are a list of level 1 and 2 courses being offered early in 2011

LEVEL 1 COURSE 17th to 22nd Jan at Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy Melbourne with presenters Sarah Brooke and susie Davies-Splitter

LEVEL 1 & 2 COURSES 11th to 16th April at Burwood Uniting Church in Glen Iris, Melbourne with presenters Melissa Dods, Christoph Maubach, Susie Davies-Splitter & Carolyn Royal

More information at www.vosa.org or click here for the flyer and registration form

May - LMD - Living Music and Dance on 27th and 28th May 2011 in Melbourne

At Darebin Arts Centre, Preston, Melbourne with special guest presenter Lenka Pospisilova (Czech Republic)

More information at www.vosa.org

May -June - Welcome to Music workshops in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne -presented by Ijam - To be confirmed.

August - ECCPA - 15th Early Childhood Conference of Performing Arts (ECCPA) on 21-22 August 2011 in Melbourne

At Genazzano FCJ College, Cotham Rd, Kew, Melbourne with special guest presenter Tanya Batt (NZ). The theme is Once Upon A Story ….. A Musical Journey.

In 2011 Tanya Batt (drama specialist) is the Key Presenter. In addition there are over 30 other experts presenting a wide range of ‘hands on’ workshops throughout the weekend. This conference is for pre-school teachers, primary school teachers, caregivers, family day care workers, therapists, parents and anyone interested in working creatively with young children (0-8yrs). More information at www.vosa.org

Call for Presenters - you may apply by clicking on the following link (or pasting it into your browser) http://tinyurl.com/2fbo6l2 Applications are due by 26th November 2010.

September - Welcome to Music workshop in Perth -presented by Ijam - To be confirmed

Jan 2012 -VOICES OF THE SWAN: National Australian Orff Conference, 8 – 13 January 2012 in Perth WA

Main presenters are Andrea Sangiorgio (Italy), Kalani (USA) and Robyn Stavely (Australia). Voices of the Swan is about communication through singing, saying, dancing and playing. www.ancos.org.au/conference

Call for Presenters - you may apply by clicking on the following link (or pasting it into your browser) http://tiny.cc/uc18a Applications are due by 14 January 2011

We are constantly updating our calendar of events so make sure you check it often.

Celebration songs

We have some great celebration songs you might like to know about. Our 2 Positive Pop/Choral albums 'The Power of You' and 'Anything is Possible' are full of uplfting, original songs to motivate, energise and inspire and the Teacher's kits come with a double CD (Vocal and Karaoke tracks) a lyric book with suggestions for use and individual choral arrangements for each piece. With titles such as 'Life's a Celebration', 'I Can Do It' ,'The Best That I Can Be', 'Best of Friends' and many others you can have your 'halls alive with the sound of music'. The Teacher's kits for each title sell for $119 each but we have a great value Pack consisting of both titles for $199. You can check them out and even listen to a few grabs from a selection of songs, by clicking here.

To give you an idea of what they're about click here to download the lyrics to 'Life's A Celebration' and if you contact us we will send you an mp3 of any one of our songs you would like to have a listen to. - another great Musicnotes bonus for you!

What's been happening

In September Susie zipped over to Perth to present an Orff level 1 course with Sue Lane from Sydney and Jackie Ewers and Helen Wilson from Perth, which went very well indeed. Click here to see some pics of the hard working attendees. Congrats to all who took part.

Hearts in Harmony Community Music Day - In October Susie ran what we hope will be the first of many such days at ACU in Melbourne. 'Hearts in Harmony 10.10.10' was a fabulous community music day where anyone and everyone could come and enjoy making music - and the pic on the left shows you that's exactly what they did!

Jon Madin brought lots of wild and wacky instruments, Steve Durbin had our hearts beating with his dynamic drum circles, Audrey Fine had lots of ‘folk’ dancing, and Mike Jackson showed us that ‘Uke can play’ a ukulele!

Click here to view more pics of everyday people just enjoying the simple art of music making.

Susie: "This day was open to all ages, backgrounds and abilities and no musical experience was required. At 8am, about 15 wonderful student volunteers met me in Central Hall for a debrief and then all hands were on deck for an hour before the crowds arrived...Click here to read Susie's full review of the day.

One of Susie's students, Jason Triggs who was not only her PA for this event but also did a great job comparing on the day has also written a report - click here to view. Thanks Jason for your hard work, enthusisam and passion!

Also in October Susie lead the ACU Community choir in a few songs at the Mary McKillop Canonisation ceremony in Melbourne. We wouldn't go as far as saying we were the 'main act' on the day but it was lovely to be involved in such an important event and it gave the 7 or so choir members who turned up a chance to perform live. See our photo gallery for pics of the choir as well as pics from lots of other events during the year.

Phil and his two hats

Did you know Phil wears 2 hats? As well as being one half of 'Welcome to Music' he also works part time as Franchise Development Manager for 'Mini Maestros' (www.minimaestros.com.au) who run fantastic educational music programs for young children and his role is to help expand their franchise operations not just in Melbourne, but interstate and even overseas. New franchise opportunities are available now so if you know anyone who is passionate about music and children, enjoys singing, dancing and having fun, and has an interest in nurturing children with experiences that will enhance their overall development, please ask them to contact Phil at phil@minimaestros.com.au.

Planning ahead?

We would love to be involved in your planning and programs so please keep us in mind when planning your events for the future. We can offer a range of great services including:

• Professional development 'PLAYshops'
• Preschool classes
• Music shows for preschool and primary
• Family concerts
• Choral days
• Community Drum circles - for students, families and teachers
• Artists in School programs - from one day to a whole term
• 'MusiKeynote' presentations for seminars and conferences on a variety of topics including the popular 'I'm not stressed - I always look like this!' great for openings and closings, or as a great interactive and fun workshop
• Composition of school songs..... and more....please contact us for further information.

Facebook

As many of you now know (well at least 120 of you anyway) we are 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.

Phil's PHILosophy

A couple of great clips for you this edtion and no, they aren't very long so relax for a moment and enjoy.

This first one just goes to show the important link between literacy and music and was filmed at the Ocoee Elementary School, in Orange County, California. The song is based on the Black Eyed Peas song, ‘I Gotta Feeling’. Click here to view this very educational video.

The second one is just a bit of old footage of me (as if) as a child mucking around with an old baton whilst listening to a bit of old Beethoven.

Click here to view this amazing clip

And finally, a few 'paraprosdokians' to ponder….

• Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
• We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.
• Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting
it in a fruit salad.
• A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a 
train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

Until next time, take care over the festive season, have a well earned rest and may the joy of music be in your hearts always.

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.

All Content © Welcome to Music - All Rights Reserved
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

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