Kodály Society of Ireland reveals...
How you can grow as a musician and teacher, equipped with teaching tools and strategies that will hold the interest of your students.
Find new ways to think about music and new ways to help others think about music too.
Discover strategies that will help your students to understand music as an artistic language that can uplift the human spirit.
Full Disclosure: The Best CPD Course
for Musicians and Teachers in Ireland
We Welcome International Students Too!
When you attend the summer course ‘Active Music Making’ you’re going to discover how:
- You can expect to grow as a musician and teacher, equipped with teaching tools and strategies that will hold the interest of your students
- You will become confident as a musician with better focussed listening and performing skills
- You will become confident as a teacher with engaging and interesting coursework delivery
- You will improve your skill as a conductor and this translates to not only better sounding groups but also improved gestural control of your students’ discipline
- You can enjoy the experience of singing in a choir that prepares pieces to performance standard in only five 1–hour rehearsals culminating in performance at our closing concert
- You can improve your sight reading and general musical knowledge
- And much, much more!
Lilla Gábor, visiting guest teacher, Active Music Making 2017
Lilla Gábor, born in Budapest, Hungary, graduated from the Liszt Academy of Music with honours, majoring in Choral Conducting and Music Pedagogy, and pursued post-graduate studies at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts and at Temple University (Philadelphia, USA) in Contemporary Music, Chamber Music, Piano Accompaniment and Choral Conducting.
She is in great demand as a guest professor, lecturer, choral conductor and adjudicator at universities, conservatories and festivals in Hungary, Canada, United States, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, Denmark, Italy, Ireland, England, Spain, Belgium, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, India and Australia.
Her past positions include: Professor at the Zoltán Kodály Pedagogical Institute of Music (Kecskemét, Hungary) for over ten years, Co-Director of International House Budapest - Music Department, Co-Director of Vigadó-Redoute International Music Courses (Budapest, Hungary), Professor at The Kodály Center of America (West Newton, Massachusetts, USA), and Professor at Universität Duisburg (Germany), Founder and Director of the International Summer Academy of Choral Conducting and Music Pedagogy in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain), Guest Professor, Conductor and Researcher at the Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil), among others. In 2015 she was Music Director of the project entitled "Canta São Paulo", a project of Coral Paulistano Mário de Andrade, Theatro Municipal de São Paulo (Brazil).
Lilla was our visiting guest lecturer in 2016 and her encouraging style and calm delivery impressed many participants who said they would come again if she does! ;)
If you are thinking:
'I did the course before and if Lilla Gábor is coming, please sign me up straight away — I don't need to read the rest of this page'
then you would like a button to click right here!
We anticipated your thoughts and have placed an express-service sign-up button directly to the application form! This is the fastest way to sign up and is only for people who are returning, having attended the course before.
If you did not have such thoughts, the rest of the page is still here for you!
You will see what previous participants had to say about the course below.
There is another button towards the bottom of this page that is the best button for those who wish to attend the course for their very first time.
Faculty 2017
You may wonder who will be the lecturers on the course this year. We are proud to announce we have a wonderful team of teachers and presenters. Listed here in alphabetical order, you may be familiar with some of them already:
- Grace Bergin
- Lilla Gábor (Hungary)
- Clare McEvoy
- Amy Morrison
- Tracy Nagle
- Margaret O'Sullivan Farrell
- Amy Ryan
- Theresa Reynolds
- Wendy Stephens
- Daniel Walsh
Please check back to see if this list may have to be updated between now and the start of the course.
We Adapt our Course to the Needs of our Participants!
Please note that the faculty listing above is subject to change and might be less than complete at the time of publishing. The content of the course is informed by the special interests expressed by the participants on their application forms and is subject to being adapted accordingly. This may help explain why our application form is so detailed.
What Happens at our Active Music Making Course?
Each day starts with Common Singing. This is a wonderful chance to get your vocal cords exercised and set you up for the day! It is also a chance for you to pick up new warm-up exercises and simple songs that would be useful for you to introduce to your own choirs and students.
The Solfège class provides an opportunity for you to develop musicianship - skills and understanding - with participants who are at a similar standard to yourself. This is presented in a practical way, mostly with teaching tools such as singing in sol-fa, pitching with the aid of hand-signs and interpreting rhythm with duration syllables. Your listening, reading and writing of music should improve. Your understanding of music will sharpen so you recognise forms and styles at a glance! Observing this style of teaching will help you know how to teach within an active learning environment yourself.
Conducting classes are very useful to help you develop skill in directing choirs and groups. It also helps you to think about music, and how it is constructed, from a different perspective. You will be able to shape a performance much better when you develop basic conducting skills. It really helps musicianship. If you have to direct choirs and instrumental groups, you will be more confident knowing you have the appropriate skills.
Teaching Methods lectures are intened as practical workshop lectures where you can discover new ways to teach. The content of these lectures is designed to meet the needs of the participants as indicated during their application process.
Choir is one activity where all participants come together in song. A programme of a few pieces is prepared for a performance at the end of the course. Observing how the choral director works reveals a great deal about how you may achieve enhanced results with your own choirs and groups.
This year, Lilla Gábor from Budapest, Hungary, will be the choral director. You should be eager to learn by observing her approach!
Each day ends with optional activities such as individual singing lessons and chamber music performance.
Singing lessons incur an additional charge and may be booked at the course. Soloists who partake in singing lessons and who are considered to be competent and fluent may be invited to perform at the end of the course concert.
Chamber music is free. Some people love the opportunity to get to know others through performing together. Some do it for fun and others do it to learn new repertoire or to share performing to a high standard. Whatever your level, chamber music is directed admirably by Margaret O'Sullivan Farrell who is very encouraging, supportive and adaptable. Participants are encouraged to bring scores. Some scores will be availalbe at the course. Of course, chamber music includes instrumental and vocal music for small groups. So, if you wish to sing duets, trios or quartets, you will be welcome at the chamber music sessions too!
Social interaction happens between classes, at the tea/coffee breaks and around lunch time. Since participants have a strong interest in music and music education, they have a great deal in common and establishing friendships is effortless!
Towards the conclusion of the courrse, each participant is presented with a participation certificate which helps to authenicate your attendance at the course should you ever be required to back up a line on your CV or support you if you mention you attended the course at an interview.
If you would benefit from these activities, you should consider doing our course! :)
Many participants return each year. We would be delighted to see you there too!
If you can't come, just think about all the fun we will be having anyway!
Knowledge that's Worth its Weight in Gold!
There’s no price tag we can put on the powerful secrets and insights you will discover. Once you experience it, you’ll know this knowledge is priceless!
There is no other professional development course in Ireland that’s so effective for performers, singers, primary, post-primary, instrumental and vocal teachers. But let’s be honest. You expect us to say that. So, don’t listen to a word we say. Instead, listen to what people who attended this course previously have to say.
38 Testimonials from Some of Last Year's Participants...
Here are 38 of the many testimonials from course participants in 2016. We offer this here as a body of proof to support the fact that our course is exceptional! We know that we improve it each year and we are pleased that we have so many satisfied participants from a very diverse range of music and education. Check out the descriptors of each person below and the words of those with descriptors similar to yours may resonate with you in particular.
Our Young Scholarship Award Winners 2016 Said:
"The course offers a vast array of musical activities and learning. I really enjoyed having Lilla Gábor as a solfège teacher — her experience and knowledge really came through in the lessons. The different resources and ideas provided by the course will be hugely beneficial in the classroom."
Janina Gevers, Student, KSI Scholarship Winner 2016, Dublin 24
"This course is ideal for music educators in Ireland today: a great way to up skill and improve musicianship and creativity. I've met like-minded people and learned great ways to introduce things into the classroom. If only it was longer!"
Nicole Cooney, Student, KSI Scholarship Winner 2016, Limerick
"What a delight it was to be so fully immersed in music from the moment you walk in the door! This intensive course is delivered with expertise and most importantly in a friendly and fun manner. Every student is given individual attention and by the end of the week you have gained an invaluable amount of knowledge and skills along with a tonne of great new friends. I would highly recommend the Active Music Making course."
Anika Babel, Student, KSI Scholarship Winner 2016, Dundrum, Dublin 16
"The only thing to say about the course is that it was a shame it was only one week. The instructors/teachers/lecturers were professional and engaging in every class and made all of the participants feel improvement in every way. For myself, I feel an incredible improvement and it is one of a few fantastic courses I have been on which makes me feel 'I want to know more'. While brief, it is an amazing experience I will hold on to."
Andrew Clayton, Student, KSI Scholarship Winner 2016, Tallaght, Dublin 24
"I had an overwhelming experience of the entirety of this course. From start to finish, the structure, the teachers and the intensity of the course exceeded my expectations. The improvement I have made in just five days has amazed me and I am very grateful to have been involved in such successful and beneficial programme."
Chloe Todd, Student, KSI Scholarship Winner 2016, Tullamore, Co Offaly
"Participating in this course has been a truly enlightening experience. Solfège and conducting are taught in a holistic and fun way, and are easily applicable to my teaching. The most important things I gained from this experience are confidence and inspiration from the wonderful, engaging tutors and hands-on approach. This would not have been possible without the scholarship competition. Thank you Kodály Society of Ireland!"
Emily Cox, Student, KSI Scholarship Winner 2016, Monasterboice, Co Louth
Some Early Years Music Teachers Said:
"This is the third time I have done this course. I have probably learned more through these courses than all my musical experiences put together. The passionate nature through which it is delivered is probably the greatest strength. Tutors also very encouraging. Well done!"
Edel Coughlan, Early Years Music Teacher, Craughwell, Co Galway
"The Active Music Making course was well-planned and wide reaching. The standard of teaching was extremely high and the course tutors are experts in their field. It was a great opportunity to try conducting for the first time and to improve my skills in solfège. It was inspiring to be part of a top quality choir from day one... The extra lectures were very interesting and it was great to meet so many lovely, friendly, music-loving people."
Clair McKenna, Early Years Music Teacher, Dundalk, Co Louth
A Music Hobbyist Said:
"I did this course 10 years ago and was thrilled with it and wondered would it be the same or would I be disappointed. It was fantastic — just as challenging, inspiring and satisfying as the last time. I was helped and encouraged and included just as much as the professionals (I am a hobbyist!) — I felt there was just as much for me as for the teachers."
Elaine Wolfe, Hobbyist, Ballydehob, Cork
Some Piano Teachers Said:
"This week has opened my eyes (and ears) to the power of gaining a truly meaningful and emotional understanding of music through singing. I felt music in my entire body this week. It was truly inspiring."
Derek Moylan, Piano Teacher, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin
"There was a good mix of activities and a variety of topics covered. All the instructors were of great quality and taught in a way that was fun and engaging."
Nicola Cantan, Piano Teacher, Dublin 12
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my first Kodály summer course in Ireland. The repertoire has been very inspirational and the infectious enthusiasm of all the staff has been brilliant. I'm leaving with plenty of food for thought as well as on-going opportunities for self-evaluation and CPD. Thank you very much!"
Clare Cushing, Piano Teacher, Choir member, Glasgow, Scotland
"This is my second year at the Kodály summer school. My aim was to improve my musicianship skills and get new ideas to use in my teaching role (Colourstrings). Ciara Coleman's classroom Singing Games was the highlight for me. I am leaving with an improved solfège and conducting skills thanks to Amy Ryan. I got more great ideas in the Common Singing sessions. Overall every teacher was of the highest standard. I will be back again!"
Norah Mary Joyce, Primary School Teacher (Retired) and Colourstrings Teacher, Athenry, Co Galway
"Course positive, particularly solfège and conducting. Extremely high performance standards evoked emotional response. Catered for great variation in skills levels in a non-intimidatory fashion. Friendly, encouraging tutors who were exceptionally professional."
Eileen Sheridan, Piano Teacher, Co Westmeath
"There is something to say when you get people that love what they teach and I have been lucky to have these teaching me this week. Thank you for that. I felt, the standard I am at, was good enough and showing and learning was always available whatever we as a group had at the time."
Alice Burrowes, Colourstrings Teacher, Walkinstown, Dublin 12
A Performer Said:
"Excellent course that deepened my knowledge of sol-fa and part-singing. The enthusiasm displayed by the wonderful tutors was a joy to experience."
Eamonn Gallddubh, Performer, Dubln 3
A Music Teacher from Texas, USA, Said:
"Spending a week with others passionate about music education has been inspiring. Students are encouraged to achieve a high quality of personal musicianship in preparation to lead others."
Elisa Willingham, Music Teacher, Houston, Texas, USA
Some Primary Teachers Said:
"This course was very enjoyable and helped me develop my skills as a musician. I got lots of ideas for teaching kids in the classroom. It has been a great experience."
Carrie O'Sullivan, Primary School Teacher, Dublin 11
"Fantastic course, full of practical ideas and strategies that can be easily implemented within the primary classroom. I loved speaking to others working within music education, sharing thoughts and experiences with them."
Audrey Meeneghan, Primary School Teacher, Clontarf, Dublin 3
"This is my second time doing the Active Music Making course and I would highly recommend it to all primary school teachers. It has developed my skills in musicianship and choral conducting, as well as providing me with ideas to improve my own vocal technique and music pedagogy. It has given me a better understanding of the Irish Primary Music Curriculum."
Joanne Doherty, Primary School Teacher, Skerries, Co Dublin
Some Secondary Music Teachers Said:
"An excellent course that really helped me develop my (listening) ear. The resources we worked with have been incredibly helpful and I imagine I'll be brushing up on and refining the tools I've been taught throughout my teaching."
Dara McGarrigle, Secondary Music Teacher and Music School Teacher, Bray, Co Wicklow
"The course was recommended to me by a colleague who spoke of the course in an almost evangelical manner… I now understand why! The whole approach has begun to make me question the way I teach and have learned to date. The tutors were fantastic. The week was like tasting a whole new type of food for the first time! I'll be back!"
Katie Ryan, Secondary Music Teacher, Dundrum, Dublin 14
"Great active pedagogies for the secondary school music classroom."
Avril McLoughlin, Secondary Music Teacher, Moate, Co Westmeath
"The course was a wonderful opportunity to improve my own musicianship to deepen my understanding of sol-fa as a teaching tool; to practise the sound-before-symbol method of teaching and to give me lots of inspiration for my teaching year ahead."
Anne Marie Moore, Secondary Music Teacher, Athenry, Co Galway
"It was the best opportunity of my career so far. The course was enjoyable and energetic. High quality of lectures with personal feedback made this course unique in personal musicianship development. The course gives you the chance to meet like-minded people and share ideas."
Fiona Quirke, Secondary Music Teacher, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford
"The active and engaging talks were truly fantastic as well as the opportunity to meet other music teachers from all walks of life. Would highly recommend the Active Music Making course!"
Catherine Mullen, Secondary Music Teacher, Raheny, Dublin 5
"The wealth and depth of knowledge of the teachers on the course leaves for an enriching experience for the student. I come back each year and always feel so inspired by the end of each summer course."
Tara Walsh, Secondary Music Teacher, Dublin 8
"The Active Music Making course gave me a whole new outlook on teaching music. My conducting skills and musicianship skills improved a great deal throughout the week. I thoroughly enjoyed the course -- the teachers were excellent and participants were all really friendly."
Maeve Ward, Secondary Music Teacher, Carndonagh, Co Donegal
"This course taught me more about active music making in the classroom than my entire two years of learning in college. The hands-on approach to group performance sparked a desire within to share my experiences and newfound abilities with my students in the classroom. A very enjoyable, stimulating and inspiring experience!"
Carla McDowell, Secondary Music Teacher, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
Some Students Said:
"I found this course to be an extremely helpful for both my personal musicianship and my teaching methods. The teachers were extremely helpful and helped every one achieve their personal goals they set for themselves."
Katie Coughlan, Student, Craughwell, Co Galway
"An immersive experience in an organic and disciplined music philosophy. I took away a renewed love of playing and learning music. Would recommend it to everyone who wants to progress steadily and confidently to the joy of musical fluency, whatever your 'style'!"
M. Ó Maolbhuaidh, Student, Dundrum, Dublin 14
"Such an enjoyable and beneficial course. It really helped me improve my level of musicianship immensely. I would highly recommend the course to anyone with an interest in music."
Muireann O'Dwyer, Student, Templemore, Co Tipperary
A Music Therapy Facilitator Said:
"Very intensive immersion method of learning!!! Great!!! I have not only improved my sol-fa and other musicianship skills but I also got another, much fresher perspective on teaching and learning music. The course is also very practical leaving everyone with appropriate resource material and general bag of tricks to apply in their own teaching or music-making. It has also been a very important networking opportunity. All teachers were so inspiring and their teaching is invaluable."
Katerina Cussen, Music Therapy Facilitator, Early Years Music Teacher, Bray, Co Wicklow
Some Singers and Singing Teachers Said:
"I have really enjoyed my week at the Kodály Society's Active Music Making course. I have always heard amazing things about this course and having finally had the time to take part, I found it to be an inspiring and life-changing experience. The level of tutelage was astounding. I leave the course refreshed in my learning and passion. This is something that I will definitely return to yearly!"
Orla Colleton, Vocal and Piano Teacher, Early Years Teacher, Newbridge, Co Kildare
"I really enjoyed the course as I found it very interactive in relation to the Kodály approach of music learning. I found the experience of the week very enriching and found the tutors passionate and excellent in their delivery of their classes and workshops. I love the Kodály approach and all the tips I picked up for early music education which I hope to use in my own teaching. Can't wait to come back next year."
Lorraine Galvin, Soprano and Music Teacher, Ongar, Dublin 15
"I enjoyed my time on the course, and particularly enjoyed meeting other musicians.
I found the tutors very helpful and pleasant."
Mary Flynnn, Singer, Singing Teacher, Castleknock, Dublin 15
"A fantastic week of learning, creating and performing. Provides essential tools to support effective music education and participation at all levels. Led my inspirational experts with great experience."
Elspeth Hayes, Musican Educator, Co Kilkenny
A Choral Director Said:
"Highly recommend the Active Music Making course to musicians and teachers of all levels. No matter who you are, you will have fun and learn loads. You will leave with tons of new friends armed with loads of ideas for the classroom and beyond."
Kevin O'Sullivan, Choral Director, Stillorgan, Co Dublin
Be smart! Go ahead and secure your place on the course:
Active Music Making 2017
You know you are worth it!
It may well be the one thing you need to do to supercharge your musicianship and help you enjoy your work for your entire career!
We hope you apply early to avail of best value pricing!
Please tell your smart friends and they may decide to come with you. :)
