Kodály Concentration

The Master of Arts degree with a concentration in Kodály music education features a broad range of theoretical courses balanced by requirements that apply to the general music teacher's work with students of all ages using the Kodály approach. This developmentally sequential, active music-making approach emphasizes singing, artistry, literacy, authentic music materials, reflective practice, and inquiry-based learning within a prepare-present-practice-assess instructional model for teaching musical concepts and skills. Pedagogic tools include moveable-do tonic solfa, Curwen/Glover handsigns, and rhythm syllables.

In this program students will:

• sharpen performance skills necessary for achieving artistic ensemble and solo performance;
• gain insights into historical and contemporary art music and folk music literature and performance style through analytical study, classification and performance;
• improve musical competency and conducting skills;
• broaden understanding of music history, theory, and literature;
• gain pedagogical insights into developmentally appropriate, sequential music instruction using a spiral curriculum with children of all ages and ability levels;
• discover new applications for existing expertise;
• experience, explore, and create strategies for developing successful preparation, presentation, practice, and assessment experiences; and
• articulate ways in which Kodály-inspired music teaching serves the common goals of the music education profession.

Music Education Core Courses

Students are required to take the following 16 semester credits.

GMUS 600 Introduction to Scholarship and Research Methods in Music Education (3 cr.)
GMUS 601 Teaching and Learning (3 cr.)
GMUS 608 Foundations of Music Education (3 cr.)
GMUS 611 Perspectives in Music Theory (3 cr.)
   Prerequisite: Passing grade on the Diagnostic Exam
GMUS 612 Topics in Music History, Literature and Theory (3 cr.)
    Prerequisite: Passing grade on the Diagnostic Exam
GMUS 876 Directed Research (0 cr.)

    To be scheduled with advisor.

GMUS 890 Culminating Thesis/Project (1 cr.)

    To be scheduled with advisor.

Kodály Concentration Courses

Students take 12 required credits in the Kodály field of concentration and 5 elective credits. Through the required concentration courses, students expand and refine information needed to successfully use the Kodály approach in their classrooms and rehearsals with children of all ages. Elective courses offer students opportunities to further define and hone the breadth and depth of their expertise.

    Required Kodály Courses (15 cr.)

GMUS 651 Dalcroze Musicianship (3 cr.)
GMUS 731 Orff Schulwerk I (3 cr.)
GMUS 741 Kodály Level I (3 cr.)
GMUS 742 Kodály Level II (3 cr.)
   Prerequisite: GMUS 741
GMUS 743 Kodály Level III (3 cr.)
   Prerequisite: GMUS 741 and GMUS 742

    Kodály Elective Courses 
       Choose 2 credits from the following electives:

GMUS 517 Developing the Child Voice in the Classroom (2 cr.)

GMUS 518 Teaching Choral Music to Young Singers (2 cr.)
GMUS 520 French Diction for Singers (1 cr.)
GMUS 521 German Diction for Singers (1 cr.)
GMUS 522 Italian Diction for Singers (1 cr.)
GMUS 524 Emerging Adolescent Voices (2 cr.)
GMUS 527 Vocal Jazz (2 cr.)

GMUS 544-xx Topics in Music Education (with Advisor approval)
GMUS 570-592 Performance Studies (1 cr.)
GMUS 671 African Music Ensemble (2 cr.)
GMUS 676 Voice Fundamentals (2 cr.)
GMUS 727 Advanced Choral Conducting (2 cr.)
Other courses considered for elective credit (with Advisor approval)