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News Archives
2011
Graduation Ceremony at the Palace of Arts
The MA students of the Kodály Institute were given their diplomas on the graduation ceremony of the Liszt Academy that was held at the Palace of Arts, Budapest on the 26th June, 2011. Congratulations!
Long Night of Museums
The "Long Night of Museums" was held on 18th June, 2011 in Kecskemét. The Institute participates in the event every year. This year, along with the pernament exhibition on Kodály's life and work, the Institute organized a Liszt exhibition to celebrate the Liszt Memorial Year. The visitors could fill out a playful Ferenc Liszt quiz, they could watch a film on Zoltán Kodály in the concert hall, and could taste the wine of the Sümegi Vinery with delicious treats made by the staff of the Institute.
The technology of the 21st century at the Kodály Institute - Our first video conference
The closing event of the "Hungarian Week" in Bogota, Colombia (9-12 May) was a Kodály seminar organized for music teachers from different types of schools at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.
Dr. László Nemes, director of the Kodály Institute, held an on-line live video presentation on current issues within the Kodály concept and music education. After the presentation there was a discussion led by Prof. Alejandro Zuleta. He held a demonstration class with 20 children that we could watch at the end of the video conference.
We'd like to thank Ms. Ildikó Szegedy-Maszák, Honorary Consul to Bogota, for her help with organizing this video conference.
Visit of the Helsinki Male Voice Choir
The Helsinki Male Voice Choir (Helsingin Lauluveljet) visited Kecskemét on 9th May. After visiting the Town Hall, they sang in front of the Kodály Memorial Tablet at Kecskemét Train Station. In the afternoon Péter Erdei showed the choir around the Kodály Institute and he conducted a rehearsal for them.
The Helsinki Male Voice Choir was founded in 2007 by integrating two smaller choir together. The choir now has 47 members. Choir member Matti Koivisto was a student of the Kodály Institute. Their conductor is the Estonian Viive Mäemets, who graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.
The choir's repertoire is wide-ranged, they sing traditional male choir and religious works, folksong arrangements and Estonian compositions. The choir is sponsored by the city of Helsinki.
New publications!
Teacher's Manual for Dobszay's The World of Tones volumes 1-6 is available in English!
The World of Tones (A hangok világa) schoolbook series written and compiled by László Dobszay is an excellent curriculum for music schools from artistic, scholarly and pedagogic aspects.
It is perhaps not an exaggeration to state that there haven't been such other works since and after its advent which is similar to this critically prepared excellent artistic, scientific, and pedagogical curriculum.
The English translation of the Teacher's Manual written by László Dobszay to this remarkable series has recently been published by the Kodály Institute. Although the present publication is not the first attempt to make Dobszay's series available to foreign music educators, a version of such an extent (which can be successfully used in both Kodály-based musicianship training and the methodological training of music teachers) has not been published yet.
This edition contains the English translation of the teacher's manuals written to the 4th, 5th and the 6th volumes of The World of Tones, as well as the translations of all the exercises, assignments and remarks elaborating upon the musical examples in the pupil's books. Since the first three volumes of László Dobszay's series are based on Hungarian folksongs (therefore being unsuitable for international use), the content of the teacher's manuals written to these volumes has been summarized in one single introductory manual. This manual provides the reader with all the necessary pedagogical methods, processes and information about the preparatory work that should precede the introduction of the 4th volume of Dobszay's series.
Dr. László Norbert Nemes
Director
Kodály Institute
The publications can be ordered from the Bookstore. The Hungarian Pupils' books that are to be used with these manuals are also available.
Celebration of Lili Vandulek, head of the Kodály Memorial Museum
Lili Vandulek was given a small celebration of her 15th anniversary of employment at the Kodály Memorial Museum on 25 March 2011. At the same time it was to say farewell to her before her retirement.
Prof. Mihály Ittzés was awarded the "Szabolcsi Bence Award"
The "Szabolcsi Bence Award" is one of the State awards of Hungary and it is given to maximum two distinguished music theorists, music critics each year on the occasion of 15th March. In 2011 one of the awarded was Mihály Ittzés, retired professor of the Kodály Institute. Congratulations!
| Music is for everyone! - 22nd Kodály Week in Finland |
The 22nd Kodály Festival, named Music is for Everyone, was held from March 6 to 16th in Helsinki, Finland and its environs. The opening concert was hosted by the Hungarian Institute of Helsinki where the guests, performers and organizers were greeted by ambassador Dr. Kristóf Forrai.
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During the festival more than ten concerts were held at schools in Helsinki and its environs in which music is taught according to the Kodály Concept. These concerts were organized by the Sibelius Academy, the Hungarian Institute of Helsinki, and the Finnish Kodály Society. As a part of the festival students at an elementary school in the town of Vantaa had the opportunity to experience the joy of music when other children gave a concert for the students of the school. One of Tallin’s music schools also sent some performers to participate in the Kodály Week.
A special guest at the 22nd Kodály Week was Dr. László Norbert Nemes, director of the Kodály Zoltán Pedagogical Institute of Music in Kecskemét, Hungary, who gave several lectures on the Kodály Concept at the Sibelius Academy, the Metropolia College and the Helsinki Conservatoire. The closing concert of the Kodály Week, whose programme was designed to honour International Liszt Year, was held on 16th March at the Sibelius Academy.
The tradition of the Kodály Week festival was initiated in 1989 by two music teachers of Hungarian origin living in Helsinki: Csaba Szilvay, cellist, and his brother Géza Szilvay, director of a music school and violin teacher. The idea was embraced by Tauno Lempinen, director of a Helsinki music school, one of the founding members of the Finnish Kodály Society and its leader for ten years. It was he who brought about the involvement of the Sibelius Academy, the Helsinki Conservatoire and the music schools of the Estonian capital, Tallin, in the programme. |
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Zoltán Kodály
(Photo: from the collection of Madame Kodály, Sarolta Péczely) |
| Opening Ceremony of the 2010-2011 Academic Year - 17 Sept, 2010 |
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| Lecture on the Kovács Method - Sept, 2010 |
On 15-16 September Dr Zsuzsa Pásztor held a lecture on the Kovács Method. It has evolved during the second half of the twentieth century in Hungary. The Kovács Method is an integral part of the lifestyle of a healthy musician, a complex system of training, erudite knowledge and a deeply humanistic approach. Read more about the method here: www.kovacsmethod.com.
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| Course for Students of the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, China - 4-10 Sept, 2010 |
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| The 60th anniversary event of the first class of the Kodály Music School, Kecskemét was held at the Institute - 3 Sept, 2010 |
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| Summer Course for Solo Singers - July, 2010 |
The course led by Prof Roland Hajdu and Dr János Klézli was held between July 19 and 29. It included musicianship, voice training, and private instruction in song interpretation. The course was enriched with evening workshops on art songs by different composers. The participants of the course gave a mini concert at the end.
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Night of Museums at the Institute - 19 June, 2010
Like in previous years, on 19 June people set out into the night to visit museums all around the country. The Institute also joined the event titled Night of Museums with an exhibition opening of the Ari Kupsus Gallery and other attractions.
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Closing Events of the 2009-2010 Academic Year - May, 2010
With the traditional end-of-semester student recitals and student concert on 16 May and the Closing Ceremony on 28 May when students received their diplomas, the 2009-2010 Academic Year officially ended.
See the moments of these events below!
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| Concerts at the Institute - March, May, 2010 |
The Danish Trio Con Brio gave a concert at the Institute as part of the Kecskemét Spring Festival. More information about the trio is available at their website.
Alessandra Pompili's lecture recital about Franz Liszt's lesser-known pieces:
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Conducting Course at the Institute -29 April - 2 Mayy, 2010 |
The one-week study programme of the Conducting Course was organized by the Liszt Academy.
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Special Week at the Institute - 15-19 February, 2010
Instead of regular teaching, students of the Institute listened to different lectures and workshops during the special week. From left to right: Elisabeth Moll - former teacher of Pennsylvania University - gave a lecture on Zoltán Kodály's former student Katalin Forrai's influential pedagogical work;Károly Binder- pianist, composer, and teacher of jazz piano and jazz composition, and head of faculty at the Liszt Academy - lectured on jazz improvization and gave a concert; Mónika Benedek - teacher of the Kodolányi János University of Applied Sciences - gave a lecture on solfege regarding classical and jazz music; Sergio de la Ossa- MA student at the Institute - taught Galician dances to the students and faculty.
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'Mini Study Tour' in cooperation with the British Kodály Academy
The first Mini Study Tour in cooperation with the BKA was initiated by the late Prof Éva Vendrei, deputy director-general of the Insitute, seven years ago.
It has been the 7th occasion that the study tour for the members of the British Kodály Academy was held on 15-17 February. The programme was made up of daily musicianship classes, a lecture on Kodály's philosophy, methodology classes, and observation classes.
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Guests from Keimyung University (Daegu, Korea) visiting the Institute
The leaders of Keimyung University (Daegu, Korea) spent a day at the Institute on 21 February observing a demonstration class and discussing possible routes of future co-operation with the Liszt Academy and the Institute.
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Dr. Klára Kokas, retired professor of the Kodály Institute of the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, passed away on 7 February, 2010. The news conveyed on her sudden death left her followers, colleagues and hundreds of students in Hungary and abroad deeply shocked. Among her admirers were both adults and children, who were presented with several extraordinary musical experiences through Dr. Kokas's pedagogy based on inclusion, understanding, tolerance and special attention. We shall never forget the delightful discoveries we made with her in the empire of children and classical masterpieces. Klára Kokas was one of the most inspiring Hungarian music pedagogues, a marvellous person with a highly original and creative power of mind, who accomplished a remarkable scientific life-work related to the transfer effect of Kodály-based music education.
The memories of her wonderful, enquiring, attentive and radiating glance and her beautiful smile nourished by her innermost peace, plentiful love and fathomless optimism will never fade away. We shall remember her the way we saw her just a couple of weeks ago at the Music Academy, the youthful and determined aunt Klári whose desire to create something new over and over again never seemed to cease. We shall also remember her helping us to sink into the world of infinite happiness reached through music, freedom and her highly spiritual presence.
She revealed us the secret: music which touches the soul the deepest and reveals to us the transcendental world can never be accessed through the road of dry scientific and technical terms but through genuine spirituality and inspiration only.
We shall treasure her memory forever.
(Dr. László Norbert Nemes, Director - Kodály Institute)
| Short Course organized for Students of Monash University, Australia - 11-15 January, 2010 |
The one-week study programme for the students and teachers of the Monash University (Australia) was made up of musicianship classes, a lecture on Kodály's philosophy, methodology classes, and observation classes.
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| Moments of the 2009-2010 Academic Year - an MA class - January, 2010 |
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| "On Behalf of the Kodály Institute" Award |
In 2009 the Board of Trustees of the Kodály Institute decided to give the "On Behalf of the Kodály Institute" Award to Ildikó Csányi-Koós, head of the Institute Library, and Mrs Mária Horváth, staff member of the Institute's Archives.
According to the Rules of the Board of Trustees, this award can be given to people who have done outstanding work for the Institute or to institutions that have regularly or occasionally helped the Institute to achieve its goals.
The official ceremony was held on December 12, in the concert hall of the Kodály Institute when the students of the Institute gave the semester-closing Christmas concert.
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Kodály Seminar in Asia |
The Young Musicians' Society (Singapore) organized the course in collaboration with the Kodály Institute between 16 and 27 November. The course s primarily offered for music pedagogues and choral conductors.
The aim of the course was to give the participants an enhanced knowledge of the compositions and educational philosophy of Zoltán Kodály, and the knowledge of application of the Kodály Concept of Music Education - musicianship, vocal and choral training - from primary to advanced levels. |
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Book Presentation -Mihály Ittzés:Bárdos Lajos |
The occasion of the book presentation on 12 November was the 110th birth anniversary of the Hungarian composer, music pedagogue, and conductor Lajos Bárdos (1899-1986).
Theaudience was welcome by Dr László Norbert Nemes, director of the Kodály Institute. Tamás Daróci Bárdos, composer and conductor, commemorated the anniversary.
Mihály Ittzés's book entitled Bárdos Lajos, written in Hungarian and published by Mágus Publishing Ltd, was presented by Dr Melinda Berlászhead of department at the Institute for Musicology of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
A small concert from the works of Lajos Bárdos accompanied the event. The performers were János Klézli(voice) and Roland Hajdu (piano) from the Kodály Institute, József Palotás (violin) and Anna Heibl (piano) from the M. Bodon Pál Music School of Kecskemét, and the Psalmus Choir of the Calvinist College conducted by Zsolt Jámbor. |
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Tamás Daróci Bárdos; Dr Mihály Ittzés
Dr Melinda Berlász; Ágota Bárdos, one of the composer's daughters |
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| Workshop held by Dr Klára Kokas |
| On 12 November, Dr Klára Kokas, whose 80th birthday was celebrated by the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy in April and October [see our News Archives], held a special music class for the students and visitors of the Institute. |
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| Visiting Group from Portugal |
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Between 8 and 13 November, a group of students led by Cristina Brito da Cruz (a former student of the Institute) from the Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa, visited the Institute. Their study programme was made up of lectures, solfege lessons held by dr Katalin Kiss, lectures held by Klára Nemes, methodology held by Sarolta Platthy and observations at the Kodály School and at the Liszt Academy. They also participated in workshops led by Orsolya Szabó, Zsuzsa Pásztor and Klára Kokas. |
| International Evening at the Institute |
| On 11 November students of the 2009-2010 academic year introduced themselves at the international evening. Their performances included singing, instrumental playing, dancing and teaching dance, and dramatized tales. |
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| Visiting Group from the North Texas University |
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Between 13 and 15 October, a group of teachers and students from the North Texas University visited the Institute. Their programme was made up of class observations, lectures and workshops. |
| Concert at the Institute |
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On 14 October, Anna Gulyás gave a concert of songs and arias by Smenata, Dvorak, Bellini, Mozart, R. Strauss, Kodály and Bartók. Piano accompaniment was given by Péter Morva, teacher of the Liszt Academy. |
| The 2009-2010 Academic Year started |
On September 18 the 2009-2010 Academic Year officially began. After Director László Norber Nemes's speech at the Opening Ceremony, the students took the traditional oath to become official members of the Institute community.
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| Closing events of the 2008-2009 Academic Year - May, 2009 |
With the traditional end-of-semester student recitals and student concert on May 23 and the Closing Ceremony on May 29 when students received their diplomas, the 2008-2009 Academic Year officially ended. See the moments of these events below!
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| Open day at the Kodály Institute for higher education students of music - 7 May, 2009 |
Since its opening in 1975, the Kodály Institute has been functioning as an internationally and nationally recognised centre for Hungarian music pedagogy. It has conducted special training courses for Hungarian music pedagogues and has been cooperating with Hungarian and foreign higher education institutions.
Since 2005, the Institute has been an integral part of the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music. This integration made it possible for the Institute to join the Hungarian higher education system on the MA level. The one-year MA in Kodály Music Pedagogy started in 2007. Later we would like to introduce a 2-year MA programme as well.
On 7 May, teachers and students from universities of Hungary came to see the study programmes of the Institute. They observed demonstration classes and visited the Institute's library and music pedagogical archives. |
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Dr András Batta, rector of the Liszt Academy and Dr László Norbert Nemes, director of the Institute, welcoming the visitors. |
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Visiting the Archives and Library of the Institute; Prof Roland Hajdu holding chamber music lesson and Prof Orsolya Szabó holding a piano class |
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Prof Péter Erdei holding conducting class and Prof Sarolta Platthy holding methodology class |
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Dr Katalin Kiss and Zoltán Pad holding solfege classes |
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| "Music lifts up my hands" - Celebrating the 80-year-old Klára Kokas - 18 April, 2009 |
| The Kodály Institute and the Music Pedagogy Department of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music organized the celebratory event in Budapest at the Liszt Academy. The programme was made up of demonstration classes and mini concerts with guest performers, lecturers and children.
Dr. Klára Kokas is one of the most inspiring Hungarian music pedagogues who, with her talent and knowledge, has called the attention of generations of music teachers to the importance of the Kodály concept at home and worldwide. She is one of those few who knew Kodály and worked with him. She was one of the first pedagogues to realize that music education based on the Kodály concept has a positive impact on developing children's learning abilities in non-musical fields as well. She extended her experiences of the transfer effects of music education to dealing with children with disabilities. |
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Klára Kokas and János Devich, deputy-rector, Liszt Academy |
Mrs Sarolta Kodály |
Klára Kokas and Dr András Batta, rector, Liszt Academy |
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Klára Kokas among the audience and receiving presents |
| Photos: Kata Schiller |
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| Children's programme at the Institute on Good Friday - 10 April, 2009 |
The Kodály Institute cooperated with the Szórakaténusz Toy Museum in Kecskemét to hold a children's programme during the Easter Holiday.
Elementary school children came to visit the Institute and had a special music lesson held by Emese Szanka. They enjoyed having the special class among the walls of the monastic building of the Institute. |
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| Polish Students Visiting the Institute - 23-27 February, 2009 |
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The one-week programme was organized for students of the Karol Szymanowski Music Academy, Katowice, Poland. The study programme was made up of class observations, musicianship classes, conducting, lectures on different topics. |
| 'Mini Study Tour' - in cooperation with the British Kodály Academy - 16-18 February, 2009 |
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The 3-day "Mini Study Tour" was organized for the members of the British Kodály Academy. The study programme was made up of class observations, daily musicianship classes, methodology, lectures, and a mini concert. |
| Recipients of the "On Behalf of the Kodály Institute" Award- January 28, 2009 |
At its meeting in November, 2008, the Board of Trustees of the Kodály Institute decided to give the "On Behalf of the Kodály Institute" Award to Katalin Hartyáni-Szarka - financial administrator, Prof. Péter Erdei - present professor and former director of the Institute and Klára Kokas - music pedagogue, former teacher of the Institute (see picture from left to right).
According to the Rules of the Board of Trustees, this award can be given to people who have done outstanding work for the Institute or to institutions that have regularly or occasionally helped the Institute to achieve its goals.
The official ceremony was held on January 28, 2009 in the concert hall of the Kodály Institute where afterwards Klára Kokas held a special music lesson for the students of the Institute. |
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