http://welcometomusic.net/enews/apr_09
Please do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us please email info@welcometomusic.net
|
||
|
Autumn 2009 | |
|
Dear Friend of MusicWelcome and NewsWelcome to this Autumn issue of Musicnotes– we hope you all had a wonderful and safe Easter/term holiday break. Welcome also to all the new subscribers that we have met on our travels and we hope you are still helping to spread the word about the importance of music in all our lives. In this edition we have a great article on the power of music, some new and exciting products coming your way, news on Susie and Phil’s travels and our calendar of events for this year, including our huge ‘Double Up’ tour with Lynn Kleiner from USA. So read on…. Featured ArticleThis is a welcome address to freshmen at Boston Conservatory, given by Karl Paulnack, pianist and director of music division at Boston Conservatory. It is a powerful statement of what music can do. Click here to read the article. What's new for 2009?
You may already know about our 'Funkey Monkey' illustrated story book which came out in 2008 - following on from that we will have 'Rocket Sam' (off 'Move It!') and 'The Fireman's Barbeque' (off 'Rainbows, Trees and Tambourines'). There will be a childrens' size book plus a new, larger teacher's edition - for reading at the front of the class. We will also have our new training DVD ‘Welcome to Music in Early Childhood’ - a comprehensive teacher workshop with commentary and instructions for 15 activities from the ‘Welcome to Music’ series - for teachers of children up to 8 years. Also includes bonus ‘Why Music?’ feature. AND ... a fabulous new ‘Here Comes Funkey Monkey’ DVD: an hour-long fun musical adventure featuring Phil and Susie and about 20 children from Singapore singing, playing and dancing with some guy in a monkey suit! Keep an eye on the website (www.welcometomusic.net) to see when these and other new resources become available. Music ’n MoreIf you’re at an Australian primary school or kindergarten you should have seen a new catalogue called ‘Music ’n More’ which was sent early in term 1. We are proud to be involved with this new initiative, put together by 9 other Australian and New Zealand independent publishers with ourselves, promoting great home-grown music and arts products and services. So go to www.musicnmore.com.au for more details, or click here if you would like us to send you a copy of the catalogue. What’s coming up?‘Double up’ this Spring with Susie and Phil
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Happy participants in Guangzhou |
The Firemans BBQ in Changde |
Susie and Phil with chaperones Amy, Jasmine & Mai |
With just a few teachers in Foshan |
In January Susie whipped up to Canberra to present a Level 1 Orff course which was very successful. For those of you who are planning for next year the good news is the course will run again in 2010.
 |
 |
 |
A happy bunch at Canberra levels |
Making music in Canberra |
Now this might hurt |
Click here to see report
Susie has also just completed Orff Level 1 and 2 in Melbourne and it’s wonderful to know there are more and more graduates now able to share their musical expertise.
As part of her ‘Joy of Jammin’ course (around which she did her masters), Susie together with Warren Wills, Audrey Fine and Steve Durbin presented an afternoon of jammin’ at Hampton Primary School. Mums, dads, grandparents and kids all joined in for a joyful jamming session. These afternoons are a wonderful opportunity for anyone to unleash their creativity by singing, dancing and playing – whether they feel they are musical or not.
 |
 |
Looking serious at Jam It Up |
Age is no barrier |
Susie will be presenting ‘The Joy of Jammin – Stage 2' in Melbourne in June / July school holidays. This 5-day program is a fabulous opportunity to work on your improvisation skills while having a lot of fun. Click here for brochure and here for general info.
There are lots of other great events coming up this year – please see our full calendar for all the details
Susie and Phil are involved in a great project at Mentone Park Primary School in Melbourne, working with general classroom teachers over a period of several months and immersing them in all aspects of music, and it is a very rewarding experience for all involved. A big thank to principal Louise Downey for her ongoing passion and enthusiasm for music in her school. Lucky teachers and lucky kids for sure!
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:
27.1.09
"Dear Susie
It was a great honour to have you to teach at the levels course and be present at Radford. As I mentioned our newly formed choir group performed Let's sing all Together for the opening of the Junior School in April last year and then we performed another , One Voice One Song for our very first Speech Night in December. I felt quite proud to mention to our Principal that the composer of those songs was presenting at the course in Our Hall. Susie I was so inspired by your work over the six days. You worked so hard to understand each person and ‘how they ticked’, gave them encouragement and the courage to forge ahead. That is something that I am going to work on this year with my students. I also loved the way you smile and show that extra twinkle in your eye, even when you are tired. I am going to give that a go as well. The course has shown me that it is all possible with joy.”
Brenda Lander - Music Teacher
Radford College, Canberra ACT
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!
The media is telling us every day how bad things are; that we are in a recession and that things are going to get worse. Yet when we visit schools and kinders and see happy children (and mostly happy teachers) singing, moving and playing, the world seems pretty right to us. Maybe the politicians and the economists and the media should come and visit some of you to see that the world indeed is just fine – perhaps if they stop doomsaying and start singing and dancing they might see that too.
Susie and Phil
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.
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.
 |
 |
