At our Summer Schools, we aim to offer a range of sessions to suit all our delegates. Read on to find out about the optional sessions available this year:

Musicianship  Strand:

Tutors: Ben Lawrence; Chris Andrews; Lucinda Geoghegan, James Cuskelly, Árpád Tóth

Musicianship is a core part of all our training, and we offer tuition in small groups from beginners to advanced. Click here to find out more about our Musicianship curriculum.

 

Methodology Session 1:

General Programme Delegates will be able to use this daily session to undertake the Introduction to Kodály Certificate (CPD Certified) or the following option:

SEND with Jess Baker (Tuesday - Friday); Braille Music with Anne Wilkins (Saturday)

General Course delegates may also select Individual Singing Lessons during this time - (extra charge).

Certificate Course Delegates will follow the Certificate strand of their choice (Early Years 2, Primary 1, Primary 2, Secondary 1). 

Methodology Session 2:

Certificate Course Delegates will continue their learning from session 1.

General Programme Delegates will select from either option below:

Methodology Topics -  daily topics covering many aspects of teaching in a Kodály - inspired way:

• Tuesday: Rosie Walton Early Years: Age-appropriate songs and rhymes which help to support and develop young children's natural musicality; Music and movement activities which foster active listening and rhythmic movement; An exploration of how young children play with song, on their own terms. This could include viewing and discussing short films of children re-working kodály-type songs in their own way, as part of their everyday play. The films have been generously shared, with permission, by Jane Parker from Take Art; Exploring ways that we can encourage children's song play within the continuous provision, including the use of musical provocations.  
• Wednesday: Chris Andrews: topic tbc
• Thursday: Iori Haugan Welsh Folksongs: This session offers an accessible and enthusiastic introduction to the rich and varied tradition of Welsh folk song. Participants will explore a range of styles and genres drawn from the Welsh folk canon, which might include Cerdd Dant (the unique Welsh art of singing a counter-melody over a harp tune), Plygain carols (unaccompanied part-singing from the pre-dawn Christmas tradition), traditional lullabies, work songs from quarrying and farming communities, and general folk songs passed down through oral tradition. We'll consider the origins and cultural context of the material and look at how these songs can be brought to life in community and choral settings. Whether you're new to Welsh folk music or already familiar with some of the repertoire, you'll leave with practical ideas and songs ready to use with your own groups. No Welsh language knowledge required! 
• Friday: Joe Walton Go for Bronze: Taking one of the singing games from 'Go for Bronze', the session will explore how the resource can be adapted flexibly and imaginatively for classroom learning. The session will combine movement, improvisation and composing elements to show a progression using the minor pentatonic. We will touch upon how a flexible approach to the NYCoS 'Go for Gold' scheme can underpin a learning structure within a school environment, using an example from the recently commissioned 'The Monmouth Nativity' as an example.
• Saturday: Emma Ede topic tbc

or

Ensemble Singing with Árpád Tóth

Session 3:

Conducting: James Cuskelly and Árpád Tóth

Learn techniques for conducting - Levels 1 & 2 are offered. 

or 

Vocal Technique (Certificate Students Only): Jeanette Massocchi

or

Singing Games:

• Monday: Singing Games for Early Years with Ben Lawrence
• Tuesday: Singing Games for Lower Primary with Emma Ede
• Wednesday: Singing Games for Upper Primary with Lucinda Geoghegan
• Thursday: Singing Games You Might Not Know! with Chris Andrews
• Friday: Singing Games for Older Students & Adults with Lucinda Geoghegan

Evening Events

will include Singing Games for all, a Ceilidh and a Song Recital featuring Anne Wilkins. (No one could forget her marvellous TV appearance and amazing duet with Bryn Terfel!)

Community Choir with Iori Haugan will feature after supper on our opening evening, and just before supper on subsequent evenings.