News and Events

HNU Kodály Music Program Celebrates its 40th Anniversary and Starts its Summer Institute Courses

June 30, 2008

The Holy Names University Kodály Center invites everyone to attend its historic 40th anniversary 3-day celebration with returning faculty and alumni from July 24 to 27. The celebration will coincide with the final days of the Summer Institute and will feature a concert by institute participants and alumni on the evening of July 26. Daily concerts and demonstrations will showcase the accomplishments of HNU alumni and those who share Kodály’s vision of ‘music for everyone’. Returning faculty from the United States, Hungary, and Australia will include Edward Bolkovac, Rita Klinger, Ivy Rawlins, David Xiques, Judit Hartyányi, Erzsébet Hegyi, Sarolta Platthy, Helga Dietrich, László Matos, Judith Johnson, and Anne Comiskey. The celebration will end with an outgoing to Angel Island on July 27, complete with ferry service from Alameda, a historical tram ride on the island, and catered lunch.

The Kodály Summer Institute offers credit toward the Master’s Degree in Music Education with Kodály Emphasis, the Kodály Specialist Certificate, Kodály Summer Certification, or it may be taken for professional enrichment only. On 2008, it will operate from July 7 to 26 offering Kodály Certification Levels I, II, and III, Coordinated by Fran Smith and, from July 14 to 18, Ear Training with 20th Century Art Music, facilitated by Erzsébet Hegyi.

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 paces singing at the foundation of musical development. 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 Kodály program at HNU enjoys international reputation as a major center for training in the Kodály philosophy thanks to the presence Hungarian master teachers and distinguished American faculty who develop their own musicianship while learning how to teach and attracting students from throughout the Americans and the Pacific Rim. Graduates of the Holy Names University Kodály Center currently teach throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, and the Philippines.

Contact Information

Anne Laskey
(510) 436-1234
laskey@hnu.edu

Other Information

• For a brochure of activities click here.
• To view a schedule of events click here.
• To download the Registration Form for the HNU Kodály Center 40th Anniversary Celebrations, click here.
• Click here to visit our new blog.