June 24, 2008

News Release

“Music for Everyone” Through Education

Music teachers in Tyler ISD are learning a new way of teaching music.  The Kodály (pron: Co-Die) method will be introduced to teachers this week in the Fine Arts Center at Birdwell Elementary School, located at 1919 South Kennedy, in Tyler, Texas.

The Kodály method of music education targets the individual child in a number of ways: encourages individual singing; teaches to improvise music; and encourages the students to listen and transcribe melodies and rhythms.
 

“This training will begin the process of continuity of what is being taught across the district at the elementary music level,” said George Faber, Director of Fine Arts for Tyler ISD.
 

According to Kodály trainers, part of the joy of music is its corporate and individual experience.  The Kodály inspired teacher is trained to make the best of both experiences – for themselves and for their students.  Creator of this teaching method, Zoltán Kodály, said, “No other subject can serve a child’s welfare – physical and spiritual – as well as music.”
 

The Kodály method will be taught by Rhona Brink, a member of the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE).  OAKE’s was founded in 1973 and its purpose is to promote Kodály's concept of "Music for Everyone" through the improvement of music education in schools. Brink recently retired from public school music education with 26 years of experience. She has been chosen to serve in the cadre of Teacher Trainers appointed by the Texas Education Agency. She is currently an instructor for the Greater Houston Area Kodály Training Program in Aldine, Texas.
 

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