SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS
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This link will take you to the brochure for a Paul Rolland String Method Workshop at George Mason University, June 22 - 26, 2009. This is the first time in decades that training in the highly regarded Rolland Method has been available. Click on Summer Programs and then Brochure.
As an instrumental music teacher, I often felt unprepared to deal with the youngest children who were coming into my program, as well as being frustrated by the fact that my older students often came to me with no prior musical experience. I expected to be starting them on the instrument, but I was surprised by the fact that most of them weren’t comfortable singing, much less able to sing in tune – how could they possible play an instrument in tune! That led me to investigate Musikgarten, a leading early childhood music program. After more than 20 years of teaching both early-childhood classes and instrumental lessons, I am convinced that early-childhood music classes make a positive impact on the preparedness of my piano and band students. Musikgarten, the only early-childhood music company that successfully bridges the gap between early-childhood music classes and instrumental study, is offering a FREE 3-hour seminar in the Colorado Springs & Denver area, and I am hoping that you will help me spread the word about this to your membership.
We know that music teachers are being approached by parents of younger and younger children. Musikgarten is a wonderful way for instrumental teachers to establish a built-in feeder system for their programs, ensuring that potential students will have the musical foundation necessary for succeeding in future musical endeavors. Musikgarten gives you appropriate ways to deal with children who are not yet ready for the rigors of instrumental study. The research into how children learn music shows that although there is no doubt we should engage children in music-making at an early age, instrument lessons are not recommended early on. Those years, between birth and age nine, should be dedicated to affecting how musical a child will be for the rest of his/her life – by engaging him/her in singing and movement activities. By doing this, we are tuning the child’s ear, and developing his/her body, into a rhythmic, graceful one, through which s/he can express music on an instrument.
As stated above, this seminar is an overview of the materials offered by Musikgarten. Additionally, it is a chance for teachers to take a look at how the curricula are organized, to hear the recordings, and to experience some of the activities. Since each of our seminars is presented by a working teacher, there will be discussion of the effects the presenters have observed in both their students and their own teaching and careers. The highlight of the day will be the live demonstration class of young children, so participants will be able to see the possibilities for themselves!
I can be contacted directly at hannagan@udel.edu. Any questions your members have about the scheduling and specific locations of the preview workshop should be directed to Denise Wallington, Musikgarten’s Event Coordinator. She can be reached at event@musikgarten.org or at 1-800-216-6864.
Thank you for your help in notifying your members about this seminar. Musikgarten’s motto is Teaching Music; Understanding Children. What could be better!
Sincerely,
Jill Hannagan
Musikgarten
Executive Vice-President
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