Solfa I Gabrielle Dietrich        2 credits        Daily        8:15 a.m.  - 9:30 a.m. Room W010 This course develops the participants' personal musicianship and their ability to use the pedagogical tools of movable-do solfa and rhythm syllables.  Included are skills in sight singing, ear training, inner hearing, dictation, musical memory, improvisation, harmony, and part work. Note:  Solid basic musicianship skills are a prerequisite for this course.  All students applying for entrance to the master's program must take the Solfa Skills Assessment test to determine their current level of musicianship skills.  Depending upon test results, students may be recommended or required to take Solfa Fundamentals, a one-credit course given the week before Level I courses begin.  Click the link below to make an appointment with the program director to take the test: E-mail Amy Branum Huggins ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Methodology I Amy Branum Huggins        2 credits        Daily        9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Room W056 A sequential, child-developmental approach to vocal music pedagogy for children in pre- school through grade 2 is presented.  Teachers are introduced to the philosophy and practices inspired by Zoltán Kodály and to the principles of Music Learning Theory developed by Dr. Edwin Gordon.  Participants will learn to plan and teach a curriculum, based largely on the use of American folk songs, that leads children to musicianship and musical literacy.  Teachers will learn techniques for developing in their students music readiness, good vocal production, in-tune singing, aural discrimination, rhythm skills (via movement), beginning skills in the use of solfa and rhythm syllables, and the foundations of music notation and reading. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Materials I - First Segment: Analysis, Songs & Games Tasha Maglocci         3 credits        Daily        11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Room W012 During the first daily segment of  this course, participants will collect and learn American folk songs, singing games and play parties that support the methodology for pre-school through grade 2.  They will learn the principles of folk song analysis and will create a retrieval system to organize their materials for the teaching of tonal, rhythmic and formal skills.  Students will have access to the computer lab and to lap-top computers in the classroom, and will learn to notate the songs for their retrieval systems using the Finale music writing program.     Note: See second segment (Dulcimer) information below. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Choral Studies I - First Segment: Conducting I TBA        2 credits        M-W-F        1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Room W011 Choral Studies I consists of  one hour of Conducting I (3 days per week) and one hour of Choir (daily).  During the Conducting segment, participants will study basic score analysis/preparation and conducting techniques, including posture and stance, conducting patterns, the anacrusis, attacks, releases, and establishing and maintaining tempo.   Students will study, prepare and conduct music especially appropriate for children's choirs at the elementary level. Note: See second segment (Choir) information below. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Choral Studies I - Second Segment: Choir TBA        Daily        3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.                  During the Choir segment of Choral Studies, students will engage in choral singing leading to a performance at the concluding concert of the institute.  Repertoire will include choral masterpieces from all periods, arrangements of folk music of various styles, and recent compositions.  Studies will include interpretation, musical style, principles of choral singing, and application of solfa in learning new music. Note: See first segment (Conducting I) information above. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Materials I - Second Segment: Dulcimer Tasaha Maglocci        Daily        4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Room W012 During the second daily segment of Materials I, participants will learn basic principles of playing and accompanying children's singing on the Appalachian dulcimer.  (During Orientation Weekend, students will build and string their own dulcimers.) Note: See first segment (Analysis, Songs & Games) information above. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Return to Courses and Programs Page View Level II Course Descriptions View Level III Course Descriptions View Solfa Fundamentals Course Description View Course Numbers Return to Home Page

____________________________"My musicianship and teaching effectiveness have grown exponentially."

_____________________________________The American Kodály Institute __________________ COURSE DESCRIPTIONS _