Do Re Mi and the Kodály Concept.

Every time we watch Julie Andrews teach the Von Trapp children Do-Re-Mi in The Sound of Music, we are watching the Kodály concept of music education in action.

By designating a sound and action to each note in her “Do” solfege Maria’s teaching method is fun, and the children learn to develop their musical ear with the use of movement and the joining of their own voices. This is a very basic description of how Maria teaches the Von Trapp’s that many recognise as the Kodály concept.

Zoltán Kodály was a twentieth century Hungarian composer and educator. Seeking a way to improve the Hungarian music education system Kodály combined many borrowed theories and ideas, developing his own principles for teaching music in an effective and meaningful manner. Kodály believed that music education was imperative to a person’s development and that singing was the place to start. “It is a long accepted truth that singing provides the best start to music education; moreover, children should learn to read music before they are provided with any instrument…even the most talented artist can never overcome the disadvantages of an education without singing” (Kodály, 1974).

Musical aptitude is within everyone, with the voice as your first instrument. Learning sequentially in a way that makes sense to the child or adult, Kodaly’s concepts develops your musical ear and sight reading ability. Building a sold foundation when learning an instrument. Kodaly believed in these principles…

1. A well-trained ear,
2. A well-trained intelligence,
3. A well-trained heart,
4. A well-trained hand.

“All four must develop together, in constant equilibrium. […] Sol-fa and the science of form and harmony together teach the first two points. To complete this teaching, a musical experience as varied as possible is indispensable; without playing chamber music and singing in choirs, nobody can become a good musician.”

Here in Australia Kodály’s philosophies have made an impact on traditional music education especially in Queensland and New South Wales. The Kodály Music Education Institute of Australia [KMEIA] has branches in various states and offer the only fully accredited and nationally recognised program of teacher training in the Kodály concept.

Brisbane is home to the President of the International Kodály Society, Dr James Cuskelly OAM. In 2018 Dr Cuskelly was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for Service to Music Education. Besides his role as President of the International Kodály Society, Dr Cuskelly is an Honorary Lifetime Member of KMEIA; Director of the Kodály Summer School and Winter School Music Programs; Director of the Cuskelly College of Music; Founder and Director of Sound Thinking Australia; Head of the Creative Arts and Design Studies Faculty at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School in Brisbane; Member of the Queensland Advisory Committee for the Australian Music Examinations Board, Director and Founder of the Queensland Kodály Choir, Director of the Big Sing QLD since 1996 and Music Program Director for South Brisbane’s St Mary’s Catholic Church.

Over two weeks in January Dr Cuskelly leads the Kodály Summer School Music Program at Brisbane’s Cuskelly College of Music. While in July he Directs the Winter School Music Program in Tenterfield, NSW.

The two-week programs offer courses for teachers in early Childhood, Primary and Secondary classroom music specialists. Special programs are available for senior secondary and tertiary students as well as children’s choir for singers aged 8-14 years.

Until 30 September 2020 KMEIA is also offering:

• Free 12-month membership to part-time or full-time students at Australian universities, studying either:
  a. Undergraduate or postgraduate initial teacher education. Students do not need to be music education majors. E.g. Bachelor of Education, Graduate Diploma of Education, Master of Teaching.
  or
  b. Bachelor of Music (any major).

For Do-Solfa resources from Kodály Australia

For more Kodály resources check out Musical-U.com