Class Descriptions

Chamber Choir

All InterMuse students participate in the Chamber Choir, a teachers’ choir specializing in the rehearsal, interpretation, and performance of a cappella choral works. Choral rehearsals help participants apply and consolidate their newly learned skills. The Chamber Choir performs a graduation concert on the evening of the last day of InterMuse in which all students in all three levels are expected to participate.

Conducting/Score Analysis, Levels I – III

Because choral singing is an integral part of the Kodály Concept, these courses are designed to give teachers a thorough grounding in choral conducting technique connected to musical analysis and interpretation. Musical literature from many stylistic periods is explored, and Level III emphasizes the interpretation of these different styles.

Kodály Pedagogy, Levels I – III

The pedagogy courses are a detailed study of the art and science of Kodály music teaching in grades K–6. They explore how Kodály-inspired teaching develops out of authentic folksong and art music guided by principles of child development. The cultivation of musicality and musical sensitivity; in-tune singing; aural development; and musical reading, writing, and interpretation are explored. Level I focuses on the development of in-tune singing and Kodály applications in kindergarten and grade one. Level II is a special study of how to continue the Kodály Concept throughout grades two and three. Level III carries Kodály-style teaching into the upper elementary grades.

Music Literature, Levels I – III

This course is a rediscovery of the origins of authentic folksong and its many roles in the daily life of ancient and modern peoples. Exemplary folksongs, their traditional activities, and related composed examples are used to illuminate the core teaching curriculum used in the pedagogy classes. Participants learn how to recreate traditional musical celebrations; transcribe, analyze and classify folk music; and develop teaching resources based on them. The Music Literature course includes an introduction to the vision of Zoltán Kodály and its impact on school music scheduling, curriculum and teaching.

Sol-fa, Levels I – III

These courses comprise a thorough study of sol-fa (relative solmization), which integrates the development of musical hearing with sight singing, dictation, theory, form analysis and stylistic trends in the history of music. Musicianship skills acquired in the study of sol-fa are essential tools used by music teachers in classrooms, rehearsals, and performances, as well as in preparing materials and lessons for teaching and rehearsing.

Specializations

In addition to their regular Kodály certification requirements, all participants choose a specialization track that they follow for all three levels. Participants may return after certification to follow other specialization tracks. The current specializations are as follows:

• Junior High/High School/Adult Choral, three levels combined: Applying the Kodály Concept in adolescent and adult choral rehearsals.
• Studio Strings, three separate levels: Applying the Kodály Concept in private studio and small-group school violin and cello classes taught by the authors of a newly published Kodály-inspired American string curriculum.
• Elementary School Band, three levels mixed: Beginning wind instrument instruction for children with a Kodály musical education. Taught by the author of a soon-to-be-published Kodály-style wind instrument curriculum. By demand only when interest warrants.
• Children’s Choir Development, three levels mixed: Elementary school or community choral experiences and literature for children with a Kodály musical education.

Theory Review

Small-group or individual coaching for refreshing and improving theory skills. Although open to all participants, this review assumes that at least one year of college level theory has been successfully passed.

Voice

Small-group coaching offered to help students improve their vocal skills. Although open to all participants, those with less vocal experience are especially invited.