1. art and entertainment
2. shows and events
3. classical concert

22nd International Kodály Symposium
2015: Edinburgh, Scotland August 3-7
Singing, Singing, Singing
The core of musical expression
Hosted by the National Youth Choir of Scotland
under the auspices of the International Kodály Society
Themes
Kodály the Choral Composer
Kodály the Scholar
Kodály the Educator
Kodály the Visionary
Kodály in History
Choral Music and Choral Literature in the 21st Century
Ethnomusicology and musicology in the service of music education in
the 21st Century
Changing the paradigm in music education
Personal and Cultural transformation
Life and work
Keynote Presenters
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James MacMillan, Scotland
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László Nemes, Hungary
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Christopher Bell, Scotland
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Miriam Factora, Japan
Including
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Keynotes
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Workshops
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Papers
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Demonstration Lessons
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Daily Musicianship
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Communal Singing
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Performances
Venue
Merchiston Castle School, Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH13 0PU
Accommodation
Ensuite accommodation on campus (single, twin or double rooms)
Timeline
OCTOBER 2014
NOVEMBER 2014
JANUARY 2015
MARCH 2015
APRIL 2015
Call for papers & presenters for workshops – deadline January 2015
Website and booking opens
Notification of abstracts
Programme confirmed
Early Bird Deadline
Concerts will include
National Youth Choir of Scotland (Opening Concert)
Richard Michael Jazz Trio
Scottish Traditional Music Concert
New Liszt Ferenc Academy Chamber Choir (tbc)
Fees
Full Fee
Early Bird*
Registration Fee
£370
£322.50
Registration Fee + Full Board Shared Accommodation pp
£575
£499.50
Registration Fee + Full Board Single Room Accommodation
£645
£562.50
Registration Fee includes all sessions, tea/coffee during breaks, lunches and the formal dinner on Friday 7
August. Full Board accommodation includes evening meals.
* Must be paid in full by 30 April 2015
Submissions
We invite delegates to present research papers, workshops, rehearsals and other musical and academic topics
related to the five themes on the following pages.
Closing date for submissions: 31st December 2014. Please send to Lucinda Geoghegan, Education Director,
National Youth Choir of Scotland lucinda.geoghegan@nycos.co.uk
For further information about the Symposium contact carole.allen@nycos.co.uk
Theme One: Kodály the Choral Composer
Choral music and choral literature in the 21st century
Kodály not only oversaw a transformation of choral singing but also directly contributed to the reinvigoration of
the entire choral tradition in Hungary through his own compositional output in this arena.
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What are we doing to renew the love of choral singing in our own contexts?
How can we inspire young people to sing and what music works particularly well for this group?
How do we overcome the challenges of encouraging more boys and men to be choral singers?
How do we encourage composers to follow Kodály’s example in devoting their energies to the
creation of choral works which balance traditional artistic values with progressive ideas?
We invite delegates to present research papers, workshops and choral sessions on topics related to: the
development of new repertory and publications used in choral work, the challenges of encouraging more
young people to be choir members, and an exposition of programs which encourage more boys and men to be
choir members.
Theme Two: Kodály, the Scholar
Ethnomusicology and musicology in the service of music education in the 21st century
The success of Hungarian music education inspired by Zoltán Kodály in the second half of the 20th century was
partly due to the scholarly work completed by Kodály himself, his co-workers and the later generation of
Hungarian music pedagogues. This work not only involved the collection, transcription and systematization of
folk music but the writing, editing and publication of relevant music textbooks.
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In what ways can Musicology and scholarly research contribute to the content development of school
music education and music textbooks?
How do we find new synergies between Music Education and Ethnomusicology?
How are we collecting and ordering folk materials for use within Music Education?
We invite delegates to present research papers and workshop sessions on topics related to the collection and
analysis of original materials, and the ways in which such materials are being utilized in music education.
Theme Three: Kodály the Educator
Changing the paradigm in music education
Kodály said, “The most urgent task is to make the means of music culture accessible for as many people as
possible, primarily through the schools”. There is a clear call here for all involved in music education in schools
to find ways to include all students in musical learning.
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How can we provide a joyful and enriching musical experience for young people brought up in the
cultural environment of the 21st Century?
How do the results of the most current research in the fields of music pedagogy and music psychology
assist educators in the choices of teaching methods and teaching techniques?
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How do we inspire young people with diverse needs and learning styles as well as diverse cultural
backgrounds and socioeconomic status?
How do we apply the Kodály philosophy to instrumental teaching?
We invite delegates to present research papers, reports on practice and workshop sessions which address
questions of equality and accessibility in music education. We are particularly interested to hear from educators
and researchers who are adapting Kodály’s ideas in new contexts, or who have unique applications of the
Kodály philosophy both in vocal and instrumental teaching.
Theme Four: Kodály the Visionary
Personal and Cultural transformation
Kodály believed that it was only through a personal experience of great music (children’s songs, folksongs and
classical masterpieces of the past selected with a refined musical taste for teaching purposes) that the majority
could be brought to a deep understanding and love of music. Beyond the personal however, it is clear that he
valued Music for social and cultural transformation, and his life and work clearly demonstrated this belief.
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How do we encourage “the greatest possible mass of people” to sing so that all may benefit from the
richness of Music?
What definition can be formulated for “musical values” from the viewpoint of school music education
in our postmodern world?
What are educators doing to ensure that music programs are not only educationally valid but also
musically artistic?
What is the role of community singing in the Kodály philosophy?
What did Kodály have to say about the development of society and the evolution of the individual?
We invite delegates to present research papers, scholarly reflections and workshops on topics related to
Kodály’s philosophy and the way in which his ideas contribute to the development of the artistic sensibility,
transformative music education and community engagement.
Theme Five: Kodály in History
Life and Work
Kodály was a remarkable human being, not only in terms of his contribution to Music and Education, but more
broadly in terms of the development of Hungarian and European society. In his later years he also travelled
and lectured abroad and his influence has continued to be felt throughout the world.
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How did Kodály’s life and work contribute to the development of Music and Education in the global
context?
In what ways did Kodály’s life and work have an impact on the development of society more broadly?
Which of Kodály’s compositions are outstanding for their compositional and musical insight?
We invite delegates to present research papers, scholarly reflections and workshops on topics related to
Kodály’s life and work and the ways in which his ideas and works have had an impact globally.