Schedule

Friday, September 14, 2018

Creating calm and relaxing environments for children with autism spectrum disorder though music and literature (Dr. Sheila Scott)

2:00–3:30 p.m. (Pre-Conference; no charge)

Many children with autism spectrum disorder experience anxiety. This is not surprising given the recurring challenges these individuals face with sensory integration and their struggles (and challenges of their parents and teachers) to find the best ways to manage their behaviors. In this session Sheila provides a summary of issues around anxiety commonly observed in children with autism and shares educational materials and teaching suggestions for helping children with ASD to focus and relax through listening, moving, and interacting with others through music. Keeping with the values of universal design, these ideas may help all children build relationships through music-based activities in school environments.

Dr. Scott will have copies of her book Music education for children with autism spectrum disorder (2017, Oxford University Press) for sale ($30.00 [cash or cheque]).

Conference Registration

6:30–7:00 p.m.

An evening with Edna Knock and Bea Finta

7:00–9:00 p.m.

In a conversational setting, both Edna Knock and Bea Finta will highlight their musical paths. The participants will get acquianted with the main ideas of the Kodály concept. The universal message of the Kodály concept is as valid now as when it was introduced in Canada 50 years ago. Audience participation will be encouraged and will revolve around the impact that Kodály inspired music education has made on our music programs. The evening will close with singing in harmony.

Friday only cost: $15.00

Saturday, September 15, 2018

8:30–8:45 Greetings
8:45–9:25 Musicianship (David Stark)
9:30–10:30 Sing We and Chant It (Edna Knock)
10:30–10:50 Break
10:50–11:50 A Taste of Kodály I (Bea Finta)
11:50–1:20 Lunch (on your own)
1:20–1:30 Musicianship (David Stark)
1:30–2:20 A Taste of Kodály II (Bea Finta)
2:30–3:40 Giving Kids Context: Kodály Pedagogy with a Twist (Dr. Jody Stark)
3:40–4:15 Musicianship (David Stark)

Musicianship (David Stark)

8:45–9:25 a.m.
1:20–1:30 p.m.
3:40–4:15 p.m.

In this session, David will lead participants in a series of musical challenges that will develop their own musicianship. Participants should be prepared to move, to sing, to think, and to be inspired.

Sing We and Chant It (Edna Knock)

9:30–10:30 a.m.

This session considers the question of how to nurture and develop the child’s natural love for music through song material and procedures appropriate to the growth potential of the unchanged voice. The presentation will be based on the premise that every step along the progression from the simple chant to the highest peak of musical art should occur on solid musical soil.  Repertoire will be chosen, not only for artistic value and attention to range, keys and modalities, but also for the purpose of promoting musicality through the training of the inner ear and laying a foundation for polyphonic experience.

A Taste of the Kodály Concept in Practice I and II (Bea Finta)

I: 10:50–11:50 a.m.
II: 1:30–2:20 p.m.

After a short introduction of the main principles of the Kodály concept, practical, methodical examples will be given that teachers will be able to use to establish the basics of musical literacy. These ideas will be shown in a gameful and purposeful manner emphasizing that learning musical elements can be an exciting endeavour and making music can be something the students look forward to in our time of less social contact during classroom instruction. Some of the examples will be useful in any teaching circumstance. The first session will emphasize the melodic, the second one, the rhythmic element.

Giving Kids Context: Kodály Pedagogy with a Twist (Dr. Jody Stark)

2:30–3:40 p.m.

While Kodály-inspired pedagogy provides a sequential way of helping students develop their musical skills, it can also lead to cultural competence and understanding. In this session, participants will explore several examples of how music teachers could do both. Beginning with several commonly-used songs for teaching early-years music, Jody will demonstrate a possible approach for deepening students’ understanding of music and its importance to the humans that make it while also growing in musical skill.

Saturday only cost: $30.00

$45.00 for two-day conference

A complete schedule of events is available by email from Dr. Sheila Scott (scotts@brandonu.ca)