Dear Friend of Music
Welcome . . .
... to the Autumn issue of 'Musicnotes’ and for most of you welcome back to term 2 – we’re sure you’re all very excited and looking forward to making lots of music this term.
What’s been happening?
In February we had the pleasure of presenting an Artists in School program and a PLAYshop in our capital – Canberra. On the Friday we were at Arawang Primary School working with several hundred children who really appreciated and enjoyed the program. Then on the Saturday we had a ball with about 30 lovely people as we presented ‘Teaching music made easy and fun!’ for Early Childhood and ‘Sing Jam and Jive’ for Primary School
It was a full on 2 days but everyone involved enjoyed themselves and we are delighted to have had the opportunity to share our music with so many lovely people.
|
|
|
|
Canberra PD 1.jpg
|
Canberra PD 2.jpg
|
Orff quote -Canberra PD.jpg
|
Then in March we were in Singapore where we ran our new ‘Musics Cool’ holiday program for kids which was a great success and we look forward to presenting another program later this year. We also spent 4 days in a studio filming ‘Here comes Funkey Monkey’ as a follow up to the successful concerts we did last year, and eventually we will have a fabulous 60 minute DVD full of music, laughter and all the educational values that are always part of everything we do. So it will be for parents and children, but also for teachers – stay tuned!
We also spent a day filming an early childhood teacher workshop – so it will show us presenting various activities, plus it will show Susie talking about all the Orff techniques – singing, moving, instruments, canon, ostinati etc. This will be a product anyone working in early childhood music will want. Ultimately we will produce other DVD’s for Primary, Choral etc. However the next stage involves Phil going back to Singapore in a few weeks to sit through over 80 hours of footage for both these programs and edit them into the final products – who said it’s all fun?
 |
 |
| 'Funkey Monkey'- Take 42 .jpg |
All work and no play.jpg |
 |
 |
| Funkey gets Orff.jpg |
Don't work with kids or animals.jpg |
 |
 |
| Musics cool for teachers too.jpg |
Musics cool in action.jpg |
 |
 |
| Musics cool!.jpg |
Singapore workshop.jpg |
 |
 |
| Singapore workshop 2.jpg |
Singapore workshop 3.jpg |
What’s New?
Our new release – ‘Take Orff with Recorder’ is now out and is receiving great reviews; please see below under ‘What people are saying’.
Click here to view article ‘How to take Orff with Recorder’ by Lynne Burt
We have also been busy writing songs for a new project that we are doing in conjunction with Mary Brake from Launceston, Tasmania that we are very excited about. Mary is a specialist working in the field of Inclusive Education and has been using many of our songs and adapting them for years. We have known Mary for quite some time now and we finally decided to put our heads together and produce a resource specifically written for individuals with special needs. Mary is writing a text to be called‘Your Stage’. Through the text Mary discusses the empowerment of individuals with special needs through the creation of a space in which each and every one has the opportunity to shine. This is of course achieved through some very carefully arranged improvisation activities which we have composed. Mary's passion is for equitable inclusion and empowerment of those who are marginalised and we have created a CD which has songs specifically composed with these needs in mind. Mary's goal's are achieved through our music! Having said that, even though this is the foundation on which we have written them, we have still included all the elements that make our music unique and enjoyable – Orff techniques, humour etc. So we’re sure you will find that these songs will be useful in any situation -from early childhood to young adult, from music specialist to classroom teacher. More on this exciting new project next time.
What’s coming up?
The Joy of Jammin’ Courses 2008
With Susie Davies-Splitter and special guest Christoph Maubach
presented by (VOSA) Victorian Orff Schulwerk Association and accredited through ANCOS (Aus Nat. Council of Orff Schulwerk)
SYDNEY
St Catherine’s Anglican School for Girls, Waverley
Stage 1
Part 1 – Fri 30th May to Sun 1st June
Part 2 – Fri 14th to Sun 16th Nov
over two weekends. You must be able to attend both weekends to complete stage 1.
(early bird deadline now extended to Friday 25th April)
MELBOURNE
Wesley College, Elsternwick
Stage 1
Sun 6th to Thurs 10th July – (early bird deadline 30th April)
Stage 2
Sun 28th Sept to Thurs 2nd Oct – (early bird deadline 31st July)
Promoting self expression, joy, confidence and well being through musical improvisation. Sing, say, move, dance, play and create music that is accessible for all. For anyone interested in expressing themselves creatively and confidently through music
- 30 contact hours each
- Special concession prices available
- small group rehearsals, special guest workshops and jammin’ sessions
These courses cater for anyone who loves music or uses music in their workplace – teachers, caregivers, parents, musicians, artists, therapists, music specialists and community facilitators.
Course philosophy is - to:
- Create a safe, liberating and positive environment for improvisation.
- Promote a powerful creative expression through the voice, body and instruments.
- Encourage self-expression in a way that invites joy, physical and emotional release, healing and well being.
- Cater for needs of the individual as well as the group.
- Honour every person’s uniqueness and greatness,
- Encourage participants to step up and be heard.
- Teach acceptance for ourselves and others.
- Show that:
- All people are inherently musical.
- Everyone can succeed.
- Musical improvisation is a unique and positive way to
build skills for life-expression.
- There are no wrong notes
Stage 1
For anyone who wants to learn how to improvise confidently. A music background is not essential, however those with a music background (but not much experience and confidence in improvisation) are encouraged to start with stage 1.
Stage 2
For anyone who has some basic music background and has the desire to improve their improvisational skills, knowledge and musical confidence. This is an extension of stage 1.
Course Aims are to:
- Help overcome any fear of improvisation.
- Develop simple strategies for effective improvisation.
- Make sense of simple lead sheets and chord symbols.
- Understand the role and function of the rhythm section.
- Learn about bass vamps and the 12 bar blues.
- Learn how to arrange in an Orff style.
- Heighten or develop aural skills.
- Increase musical confidence and experience the joy of jammin’ in many situations
Click here to view the Joy of Jammin’ flier
Click here to view the general information
Click here to view the course content
Warren Wills in Melbourne
June 08
Warren Wills, composer, arranger, pianist, musical director and special guest at the recent Orff Mosaic conference in Mt Eliza in January, will be back in Melbourne for a short period from 11th June 08 for 2-3 weeks.
Warren has been conducting Masterclasses in New York, London and Hong Kong for 20 years. He will be arriving in Melbourne direct from the Hong Kong festival where he has three shows running with international artists, as a cultural prelude to the Olympic Games. According to the New York Times, he recently had the No. 1 and No. 6 shows simultaneously.
Warren is able to weave his incredible magic at the piano revitalizing the world’s best known tunes and songs with a blend of styles from the PIANO GIANTS of classical, jazz, hard rock, punk, blues, bluegrass, country or ragtime, interwoven with hilarious asides, anecdotes and commentary on his extraordinary life.
He will be available for Artist in School programs, Masterclasses and recitals at your primary and secondary schools during that time.
To make a booking contact Susie Davies-Splitter susie@welcometomusic.net
Music styles Masterclass for the middle years
with Warren Wills
Melbourne - Sat 21st June 2008
A Composition and Improvisation Masterclass for middle year and secondary teachers and musicians with world-renowned composer, arranger, pianist and musical director Warren Wills (London) With Susie Davies-Splitter – music and movement educator, Orff practitioner, composer and musician (Melbourne)
The Program
Have you always wanted to know the stylistic features of a tango, swing jazz or reggae piece or how to compose and improvise in the style of rock, pop, samba or the blues?
In this Masterclass Warren will explore a range of musical styles through vocalizing, singing, moving and playing. The session will cover history, rhythmic, melodic, harmonic and stylistic components of a range of styles. Susie will demonstrate how these principles can be applied through an ‘Orff’ based approach within the classroom setting.
Bring a portable melodic instrument (recorder, violin, clarinet, flute, trumpet etc) or harmonic instrument (guitar, accordian, ukelele, electric keyboard etc)
Click here to view the workshop flier
2008 Calendar
AUSTRALIA
VICTORIA
Living, Music and Dance Middle Years Conference
Fri 18th - Sat 19th April
Guest Presenter Kalani (USA)
Click here to view the flier
Take Orff with Jazz for the middle years – full day PD
Mon 19th May
Presented by Susie and Phil
Click here to view the flier
Geelong Kindergarten Teachers & Assistants Conference
Wed 21st May
Karen Pritchard akflynn@iprimus.com.au
Music styles Masterclass for the middle years
Sat 21st June – full day PD
Presented by Warren Wills & Susie Davies-Splitter
Click here to view the flier
The Joy of Jammin’ Orff Schulwerk Improvisation Course - stage 1
Sun 6th – Thurs 10th July
Presented by Susie Davies-Splitter
Special guests – Christoph Maubach and Warren Wills
Click here to view the Joy of Jammin’ flier
Click here to view the general information
Click here to view the course content
ECCPA – Early Childhood Conference of Performing Arts
Sat 23rd - Sun 24th August
Guest Presenter Dr Ciro Paduano (Italy)
Click here to view the flier
Everyone can sing for 4 to 8 yr olds
Tues 26th August
Presented by Susie and Phil
Click here to view the flier
The Joy of Jammin’ Orff Schulwerk improvisation Course stage 2
Sun 28th Sept – Thurs 2nd Oct
Presented by Susie Davies-Splitter
Special guest – Christoph Maubach
Click here to view the Joy of Jammin’ flier
Click here to view the general information
Click here to view the course content
Meruka Child Care Co-operative, Eltham - Early childhood workshop
Tues 14th October 6.30-8.30pm
Shelley Harris meruka@bigpond.com
NSW
The Joy of Jammin’ Orff Schulwerk Improvisation Course - stage 1
Part 1 – Fri evening 30th May to Sun 1st June
Part 2 – Fri evening 14th to Sun 16th Nov
Presented by Susie Davies-Splitter
Click here to view the Joy of Jammin’ flier
Click here to view the general information
Click here to view the course content
QUEENSLAND
Gold Coast
Artist in School Program
Mon 16th - Thurs 19th June
www.asas.qld.edu.au
Sunshine Coast
Kindermusik conference
Fri 3rd Oct
www.kindermusik.com.au
TASMANIA
Hobart and Launceston
Teacher Workshops and Children’s Programs
Fri 24th - Wed 29th Oct
mary.brake@education.tas.gov.au
INTERNATIONAL
Singapore
Orff Teacher Conference ‘Strike a Chord’
Wed 3rd-Fri 5th Sept
info@welcometomusic.net
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
Children’s shows ‘Here comes Funkey Monkey’
Sat 6th Dec
info@welcometomusic.net
www.patschoolhouse.com
Taiwan
Orff Teacher Conference
Sat 2nd -Tues 5th August
Orff Teacher Conference
Fri 8th - Mon 11th August
info@welcometomusic.net
New Zealand
Christchurch
Level 1 and 2 Orff courses
Mon 28th April – Sat 3rd May
Click here to view the flier
Italy
Bologna
ISME (International Society of Music Education)
20th – 23rd July 08
Come and join the ‘Orff’ strand
www.isme.org
Ask Susie -
question and comments forum
If you would like to ask Susie about anything relating to music education, send an email to susie@welcometomusic.net and she will attempt to answer it for you.
What people are saying
About ‘Take Orff with Recorder’…..
This new resource from Susie and Phil is just what you're looking for! My
Year Three brand new beginner recorder players are already playing "Swingin' Bones" and "Song to the Mountain" from it, and are just loving working with it.
The notation of "Swingin' Bones" was written onto the whiteboard, the
students naming the notes as they were added. Fingering patterns were reviewed and the
rhythm whispered using French time names. This sorted, the students checked the
word under "Verse" and found "Swing"! Once they heard what that sounded like,
they sat up straighter, smiles appeared on their faces and they played
cheerfully and with appropriate gusto. Then the backing track was added! This was the icing on the cake!!! They added some movement for the introduction and one class will perform this piece at Assembly next Monday - about three weeks
after beginning to learn the piece.
With two beautifully produced CD's of the pieces and the backing tracks (the
latter so useful for adding "glue" and sparkle to a performance), the music
photocopiable for classroom use and a good range of melodic instrumental accompaniments this resource will be a godsend for those teaching recorder. Being able to provide students with the music helps to develop their
notation skills, and there is a helpful "How to Take Orff with Recorder" that explains step by step one teacher's use of the Orff Approach in teaching recorder (see pages 6 and 7 in this issue). The pieces are chosen from other "Welcome to Music" resources (some re-written a little to make them easier to play). This means that some are familiar works brought to the recorder and my students just love it! It also means that pieces can be introduced through song or through dance, and don't we and the
children like variety!
Whether it's a fresh resource for classroom recorder playing, something for
an Instrumental Group, an Assembly, Open Night or concert performances that you're after; whether you want to impress parents, principals or the neighbourhood; or whether you just want something fun to work on to develop your young players' skills, you'll really enjoy "Take Orff with Recorder".
Lynne Burt
About our Artist in Schools programs…..
First of all, thank you so much for your wonderful workshops at Arawang.
What a great start to the year!
The whole school was energised and inspired by your work. Everyone has been "bopping" ever since. The students experienced so much joy and a great sense of achievement during and after the sessions. Thank you.
Thanks again for a totally inspiring two days.
Lynne Kowalik, Music teacher,
Canberra, Australia
Mar 2008
On-line shopping
On our website you will also find sample songs and pages from our teacher's manuals, PLUS we now have on line shopping for your convenience – It's quick and easy and school orders and credit cards are welcome – check it out here!
PS: If you know another teacher, caregiver or parent who might enjoy reading this newsletter, pass it on to and suggest that they subscribe as well.
Yours in harmony,
Susie and Phil
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.
Unsubscribe Information
Click here to automatically send us your instructions, or reply to this email with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line, and we will remove you from our email list.
email a friend
|
