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2023 Summer School Music Program – Monday 2nd – Friday 13th January, 2023
Somerville House, East Brisbane
Daily accredited classes for Musicianship, Conducting, Choir and Research Assignment subjects, as well as instrumental, vocal and performance programs on offer for children and adults.
Download the 2023 Summer School Music Program brochure (download begins automatically)
Program Materials
For Musicianship, Conducting, etc, see Summer Program Materials
Required Textbooks
Please see the Summer Music Program Required Textbook List.
Class Placement Materials
See more information about Class Placement Materials.
PREVIOUS Summer School Music Programs
Virtually Summer School Music Program – Monday 3rd – Friday 14th January, 2022
Daily accredited classes for Musicianship, Conducting, Choir and Research Assignment subjects, as well as a special daily Seminar Session on a broader-view topic relating to Music Education.
Virtually Summer School Music Program 2021 – 1 WEEK ONLY – Monday 11th – Friday 15th January 2021 – ONLINE via ZOOM
View the 2021 program HERE!
Monday 6th – Friday 17th January 2020 – St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, Brisbane Kodály
Initially run in conjunction with Holy Names College (California) and then held at the University of Queensland, the Summer School Music Program is now run through Sound Thinking Australia and the Cuskelly College of Music and is directed by Dr James Cuskelly OAM.
This year’s 2020 Brochure can be viewed here.
The Summer Music Program is a pivotal component of our commitment to Music Education. The key characteristic of this program is the development of requisite skills and knowledge for effective teaching and learning in Music.
Featuring highly experienced Australian music educators, courses are offered for teachers in Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary classroom music specialists. Special programs are available for secondary (years 10-12) and tertiary students as well as a childrens’ choir for singers aged 8-14 yrs.
Interested members of the public are also welcome to attend.
Participants embark upon the Summer Music Program with a range of goals in mind:
- Accreditation with the Kodály Music Education Institute of Australia (KMEIA)
- A pathway for articulation for postgraduate study at the International Kodály Institute (Hungary)
- Personal development for assessment or for audit (non-assessed, non-credit)
- Credit towards other studies – check with your institution for the possibility of credit.
For further information on the Summer Music Program, please see the 2020 Summer School Brochure.
Program Materials
For Musicianship, Conducting, etc, see Summer Program Materials
Required Textbooks
Please see the Summer Music Program Required Textbook List.
Class Placement Materials
See more information about Class Placement Materials.
Course Lecturers
Pete Churchill
Jazz ProgramComposer, pianist, singer and educator. Formerly, head of Jazz at the Guildhall School of Music, Professor of Jazz Composition at the Royal Academy of Music (London). Director of the Jazz Choir at Trinity College of Music. Received 2007 Parliamentary Award for Services to Jazz Education.
Maree Hennessy
Musicianship, Primary EducationDirector of Holy Names College (San Francisco), Lecturer in aural methodology, classroom music teacher, Past President of KMEIA QLD.
Körtvési Katalin
Musicianship, Conducting, SSA ChoirConductor, Educator and Lecturer at the Zoltan Kodály Pedagogical Institute (Kecskemet, Hungary).
Dr Árpád Tóth
Musicianship, Conducting, Choral SymposiumDr Árpád Tóth: Conductor, Composer, Educator and Lecturer at the Zoltan Kodály Pedagogical Institute (Kecskemet, Hungary).
Dr Laszlo Norbert Nemés
Musicianship, Conducting, Children’s ChoirDirector of the Zoltan Kodály Pedagogical Institute of the Franz Liszt Academy of Music. International guest professor and lecturer in choral conducting and Kodály-based music education. Vice-President of the International Kodály Society.
Kate Tyson
Education Program - PrimaryMusic Specialist at Ambrose Treacy College, workshop presenter and clinician. Past President of KMEIA Qld.
Lucinda Geoghegan
Musicianship, Education Program - Early ChildhoodTeacher, lecturer and author. Education Director for the National Youth Choir of Scotland, International presenter of workshops on Kodály methodology.
Videos
Choir
There is a growing body of evidence that singing in a choir is not only good for your musicianship but also good for your health! The combination of many voices into a wholistic ensemble requires that both the conductor and the choristers possess great skill, informed understanding and a sensitivity to the text.
Performance
Participation in Music is often sabotaged by ideas of giftedness and talent, resulting in piecemeal and disorganised thinking about music education. This preoccupation with the talented has failed to provide most students with meaningful engagement in music; what is needed is a deep understanding of processes which provide logical and measured progress from one level of skill and understanding to the next. Such a conception of music teaching and learning would mean that not only the talented but the majority can be led to a real love of Music in all its forms.
Methodology
Musicians are performers and it is important that music teaching and learning happens in an authentic manner, one which reflects the actual world of performance. However, successful performing requires much more than mere technique; a true artist demonstrates technical prowess, sophisticated aural musicianship, informed music knowledge and an expressive and sensitive connection with the music itself and with the audience.
Jazz
Jazz is a specialised genre of music requiring a sophisticated understanding of harmony and melody matched with great performing skills. Essentially improvisatory in nature, good jazz is recognisable through a personalised interpretation of musical materials. While jazz is characterised by this highly individualised and somewhat spontaneous musical expression, the underlying structures and gestures of the style are best taught and learned in an engaged and participatory fashion, led by musician-educators with great expertise and experience in the style.
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“The course was brilliant to be part of and really helped me improve my own knowledge and musicianship. I look forward to the next one!”
“It was a truly wonderful experience. Thanks again.”
“A fantastic experience I will remember for the rest of my life! Will definitely coming back again and again.”
“Thoroughly enjoyed it, gave me a lot of confidence and motivation to become a more effective and influential teacher.”
“Thank you – as always, this is a truly life-changing and amazing program and I come as often as I can. Well done! I feel proud to be a part of this community.”
“My child was actually deeply disappointed that the experience had to come to an end! He expressed that he would love to go to school like this all year round and is already eagerly anticipating next year’s Summer School!”
“My first time and already I can’t wait till the next summer school! Am resolved and inspired to give a lot of time to improving my Musicianship levels throughout this year!”
“I really enjoyed the summer school. It was full on but I learnt so much and enjoyed every minute. Thank you, will defiantly be back again next year!”
