Master of Music in Music Education with Kodály Emphasis

Holy Names University enjoys an international reputation as one of the major centers in North America for Kodály music training. The first institution of higher learning to grant an advanced degree in music education with Kodály emphasis, Holy Names University has maintained an internationally renowned faculty in its program for over thirty years. Students come from throughout the Americas and the Pacific Rim to study with Hungarian master teachers and distinguished American faculty to develop their own musicianship while learning how to teach. An integrated and practical curriculum, a supportive atmosphere, and a high standard of excellence are hallmarks of the program.

The Kodály philosophy of music education, inspired by Hungarian composer and educator Zoltan Kodály (1882-1967), is based on a vision of the place of music in the intellectual, emotional, physical and social development of every child. Incorporating ideas from many different cultures, it places singing at the foundation of musical development. Authentic folk songs and masterpieces of classical music form the basis of the curriculum, in accordance with Kodály's belief that, for a child's education, "only the best is good enough." Kodály music education is known for its sequential development of skills, emphasis on music literacy, and strong choral programs, a natural flowering of a singing-based curriculum.

The Resource Center in the Kennedy Arts Center houses a folk song collection that has been declared an archive by the Library of Congress. This special collection, representing major and minor regional and ethnic groups in the United States, is uniquely organized according to pedagogical content and has proved invaluable to teachers who come to select songs for teaching musical skills through singing.

The curriculum is designed for music teachers, choral conductors, church musicians, and performers who seek an advanced degree emphasizing the Kodály approach to music education. The curriculum features core courses in pedagogy, solfège and musicianship, choral conducting, folk music, children's vocal pedagogy, and choral singing. Supervised student teaching placements are provided in surrounding Piedmont and Oakland public schools. Part-time choral conducting and teaching internships are often available for experienced students. Teacher credentialing is also available at HNU. Through generous funding by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Kodály Endowment fund enables the Kodály Center for Music Education to award fellowships to qualified students.

The course of study for the Master's degree begins with the Kodály Summer Institute and continues sequentially through the academic year. The degree can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

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Master of Music in Music Education with Kodály Emphasis

Course Requirements (36 Units)

• MUSCX210A Kodály Pedagogy (summer) (2)
  
• MUSCX211A Solfège & Musicianship (summer) (1)
  
• MUSCX214 Folk Music (summer) (1)
  
• MUSCX215A Choral Conducting (1)
  
• MUSC 201 Introduction to Music Pedagogy (1)
  
• MUSC 231 Seminar in Music Literature (2)
  
• MUSC 243A,B Folk Music (2,2)
  
• MUSC 244A,B Solfège and Musicianship (3,3)
  
• MUSC 246 Children’s Vocal Pedagogy (1)
  
• MUSC 247A,B Kodály Pedagogy (2,2)
  
• MUSC 261 HNU Chamber Singers (1,1)
  
• MUSC 281A,B Choral Conducting (2,2)
  
• MUSC 296A,B Practicum (3,3)
  
• Elective (1)

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Kodály Summer Certificate

The Kodály Summer Certificate is a non-degree program that may be completed in three summers. Applicants must possess a Bachelor's degree in music or in a related field. Further information about this certificate may be obtained from the Kodály Center Director at the University.

Certificate Requirements (16 units)

• MUSC 210 A, B, C Kodály Pedagogy (2,2,2)
• MUSC 211 A, B, C Solfège and Musicianship (1,1,1)
• MUSC 218 Choir (1, 1)
• MUSC 214 B, C Choral Conducting (1,1)
• MUSC 215 A, B, C Folk Music (1,1,1)

Kodály Specialist Certificate

Holy Names University offers a non-degree, post-baccalaureate course of study leading to a Kodály Specialist Certificate during the academic year for music teachers, choral conductors, church musicians, and performers. Students participate in the regular Kodály academic year program, gaining a fundamental grasp of the Kodály concept of music education through the core Kodály curriculum of solfège, choral conducting, choir, pedagogy, folk music and practicum. Applicants must possess a Bachelor's degree in music or in a related field, and a high level of musical competency, teaching ability and professionalism demonstrable through departmental entrance examinations. All candidates are strongly encouraged to begin their studies with the annual Kodály Summer Institute.

Certificate Requirements (22 units)

• MUSC 243 A, B Folk Music (2,2)
• MUSC 244 A, B Solfège & Musicianship (3,3)
• MUSC 247 A, B Kodály Pedagogy (2,2)
• MUSC 281 A, B Choral Conducting (2)
• MUSC 296 A, B Practicum (3,3)

Early Childhood Music Workshops

Holy Names is delighted to announce the return of Helga Dietrich, internationally recognized as one of the most creative and dynamic figures in the field of early childhood music education.  In these sessions, she will present materials for teaching, techniques for developing musical responsiveness and creativity, and goals for music education in early childhood inspired by Zoltán Kodály’s philosophy.  Videotapes of work with children will allow participants to observe these techniques in practice. 

The workshops will explore the use of age-appropriate and playful musical activities for the development of social, emotional, cognitive and musical skills.  Guidelines will be presented for selecting, analyzing and organizing song and game collections, as well as identifying songs for listening.  Participants will be challenged to develop their own musical creativity by developing activities based on the ideas presented in the workshop.

Click here to get the application.

For More Information

Holy Names University

Anne Laskey, Kodály Center for Music Education
3500 Mountain Boulevard
Oakland CA 94619
Phone: (510) 436-1234
Fax: (510) 436-1438
Email: laskey@hnu.edu