DAY ONE and DAY TWO

DAY ONE

Session 1 -- "Why Music Education Needs Imagination" with Werner Beidinger
(Only a sliver from each session -- don't worry, I won't spoil all the fun in case any readers decide to visit in the future!)

Today was all about mixed meter.  I simply have to do more mixed meter, and more triple meter, for that matter. First of all, it's fun!  And secondly, it is important to challenge one's sense of balance and anticipation.  Everything cannot be a march!

While in the city center of Salzburg last Sunday, I wandered the streets and came across this "Club Take five".   No, we did not do this famous Dave Brubeck piece today in this session!  The piece we did was from OSW III, German Edition, "Taktwechseltanze 4".  I know I have heard this piece many times!

Session 2 -- "Playing With Objects" with James Harding

I've got to remember these games once I get back to the classroom.  They are wonderful ways to introduce and get to know each other, as well as relax the group.  Children are given the task, so class does not need to begin with the teacher giving lengthy instructions.  Ownership is on the children right away to explore and report back to the class as a whole.  This session also delved into producing sounds and movement, sometimes with inspiration from pictures.  Of course it really is all about relating to each other on some level and performing in a group.

Session 3 -- "Come Into Play - Patterns For Developing Ensemble Compositions" with Isabel Rosner

Have you ever gotten a song stuck in your head? Such is the case for "Tumpalele".  It has kind of a haunting melody, which went along with the movement activity.  In this class we got out all the Orff instruments (xylophones, glockenspiels and metallophones), as well as small rhythm percussion.  There was so much opportunity to just PLAY the instruments!  Highly encouraged to explore -- no right or wrong, which is affirming.

Session 4 -- "Vocal and Instrumental: Making and Creating Music" with Christoph Maubach

Simple, familiar melodies, but based on songs from New Zealand!  Lots of successive play as a fast, reaction/ice breaker.  This was the first session that invited us to wear name tags!  That really helps to make people feel comfortable.

DAY TWO

Session 1 -- "Dance Journeys" with Andrea Ostertag

A game is always a great way to start the day, then stretching, breathing, controlled, purposeful movement and forming relationships.  I loved using the water bottles to elongate and establish free flow.  I thought the movement with a partner was based on "trust", but that is not exactly correct.  It is based on establishing a relationship for the moment.

Session 2 -- "The Whole Voice" with Andrea Sangiorgio

He will provide notes on Thursday...  We did some fun group work with vocal sounds and creative play.  I was glad to have my iPad mini to help our group.  It was really fun, and we got some good feedback on our group improvisation!

Session 3 -- "Come Into Play" - Part 2  with Isabel Rosner

She will provide notes on Thursday, too!  Guess there was a rush to the copier this morning.  Again, we used lots of instruments and it was fun. I can see using this activity in my kindergarten classes. Loved the use of string (that's all I'm going to give you on this session...)

Session 4 -- "Vocal and Instrumental" - Part 2 with Christoph Maubach

We used a simple, familiar melody, but with new words, and we also used string but in a different way than in Session 3.  Group work, use of instruments, and lots of improvisation.  I got to solo in class and it was really fun!