Kodály Summer Institute

 

Colissa Alexander retired from teaching public school general and choral music in May 2021 after serving two Missouri school districts for a total of 31 years.  She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1990 from Culver-Stockton College then her Master of Music Education degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 2002. In 2010, Colissa received her National Kodály Certification after completing three Levels of Kodály training at the University of Central Missouri.  While in Kodály training she studied under Nora Thomas Hunter, Kari McCarty Proksch, Ann Eisen, Dr. John Paul Johnson and Laurdella Folkes-Levy. Colissa has also taken a Kodály “refresher” course at UCM since completing all three Levels. During that course she was able to study and visit with Dr. Julia Shaw and Lamar Robertson in addition to several former instructors. Since retirement, Colissa has served as a substitute teacher and long-term music substitute teacher in the Hillsboro R-3 School District. She has also taught general music in the Jefferson County Christian Homeschool Co-op as well as private piano lessons. Colissa is currently a member of OAKE (Organization of American Kodály Educators).

Vicki Strode has taught music in the public-school setting for more than 25 years as well as teaching students from birth through adult in her private studio. In the public school, she has taught every grade from Kindergarten through high school.

Vicki’s passion for the Kodály approach to music education stems from watching her students gain musicianship skills and beam with pride. Because she was driven to share this approach with other music educators, she completed a 3-year internship with Ann Eisen, co-author of An American Methodology, and then began teaching with the Kodály Summer Institute at the University of Central Missouri in 2015. She has taught both Level I and Level II Pedagogy and Materials.

She also activated the St. Louis Area Kodály Educators chapter of the Organization of American Kodály Educators and served as President of the chapter for 5 years. During those years, she also served on the Midwest Kodály Music Educators Association Board and OAKE Advisory Board.

Level 1

Methodology and Materials 1

Solfege 1

Conducting 1

 

Level 2

Methodology and Materials 2

Solfege 2

Conducting 2

 

Level 3

Methodology and Materials 3

Solfege 3

Conducting 3

Limited Cost Graduate Credit

1. Applicable toward a UCM Master of Arts in Music degree
2. Workshop fee: $799
3. Tuition: $138 per credit hour (Missouri residents and non-residents pay the same rate)
4. Total for 6 credits per summer: $1,627—that's a 41% discount from the normal graduate rate!
5. YOU CHOOSE how many credits you wish to receive per Kodály level: 1-6 available for each level.

Continuing Education Units

1. Earn a Certificate of Completion for each Kodály Level
2. The Certificate will list Continuing Education Units earned
3. Workshop fee: $799
4. No tuition fee beyond the workshop fee!

Only want OAKE Certification

1. If you just want OAKE Certification, with no associated credit or CEUs of any kind, then you pay just the workshop fee: $799.

Current housing information for Foster Knox:

1. We use the student housing on campus at Foster/Knox since it is the most economical during your two weeks of classes. Foster/Knox housing is at 311 E Clark St, Warrensburg, MO 64093. It is within walking distance of the Utt Music Building where the classes are held. 
2. Students are able to share apartments. The rates are as follows:
   • Single occupancy:  $27.12 per night
   • Double occupancy:  $13.56 per night
3. There is a $100 deposit for the room, at the time you sign up for the room, that is applied toward the cost. The remainder of the room cost will be billed to you. You usually see this bill come in after classes are over. You can make your reservation through MyCentral.

The textbook list has been updated for Summer 2024 and the books are linked with each course through the University Bookstore. You can also access the list by clicking here.

The first year is the most expensive since you are purchasing the main methodology books. You will also need binders, page protectors, and a few other items; also a music writing font, like MusicEd, is recommended. If you have Sibelius or Finale, those will work.

I am 62 years old. I'm probably the oldest student who has ever taken this course, but I need to tell you why it has been important for me to take these classes. I teach K-12th grade vocal music, at a private Christian school. I took the courses, because those students deserve to have the best vocal music program that I can offer. I have years and years of experience in teaching vocal music, yet these courses have enriched my life, my confidence, my desire to teach, and my understanding of using Kodály in my classroom. The teachers have stretched me musically and have challenged me to a new level of excellence. I would recommend these classes for a new teacher and the experienced teacher. If I can do this, anyone can!  - Sharon, St. Joseph MO; current student 2022

Starting my Kodály journey completely changed my teaching and my love of teaching. I had reached a point in my career that I was unhappy, unfocused and felt that I wasn't giving my students the best education possible. I contemplated leaving education unless I could find a way to improve myself and my instruction. Yes, I attended state music conference every year and attended every workshop available but nothing was working. I decided to search for Kodály programs because I had been taught by a Kodály inspired teacher when I was a child. I knew there was value in the Kodály method. Once I started my experience at UCM in the Kodály Summer Institute I knew that I had found just what I needed to get back on track and love teaching again. I completed level 1 in the summer of 2007 then started my new school year. Soon, my principal came to observe. She said "Wow, that was the most amazing thing I ever saw!" then asked "What are you doing differently?". I couldn't wait to tell her about my experience at KSI and how excited I was for levels 2 & 3. From that point on my evaluations were always top notch, some of the highest scores in the district. My colleagues and administrators from other buildings were saying things like "I hear that you are the person to observe to experience expert transitions" and "Rumor has it that you are the person to ask about how to incorporate higher order thinking skills into lessons". I was blown away. I know that the Kodály method and my KSI experience was the reason I was the winner of several teacher recognitions in my district including Hillsboro Primary School Teacher of the Year, Carroll Patterson Excellence in Education Award and a local award called the Doc C Picked Me award. Now that I have retired from public education I still use my Kodály training to teach in a Homeschool Cooperative. My students greatly benefit from the Kodály method. I never would have thought that making the 5 hour journey to Warrensburg Missouri for a 2 week course would have changed my life. The KSI experience is the best and most valuable training that a music teacher of young students can get in the state of Missouri. - Colissa Alexander, DeSoto, MO; Level 3 Kodály Certification 2010

For more information please contact our Kodály Summer Institute Coordinator, Juli Weber: 

jweber.kodaly@gmail.com

Or text "music" to (660) 248-0496.