Jun
17-28
Join us for the Kodály Institute
Join us for the 2024 Kodály Institute—a music teacher education program where you can learn immersive techniques from certified instructors. We offer two tracks—a Taste of Kodály, and Kodály Level I. RSVP today!
2024 Kodály Certification Dates
- Taste of Kodály | June 17–18, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
- Kodály Level 1 | June 17–21, 24–28, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Hotel Block Reservations
Radisson Hotel | 1200 Collins Road NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Book a room for your stay while attending Kodály Institute sessions.
- Book your room for June 16-20
- Book your room for June 23-27
Questions about room reservations? Please contact Megan Williams, director of sales for Radisson Cedar Rapids.
Taste of Kodály
June 17–18, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
ED 498 Special Topics in Education | 1 hour Recertification Credit
ED 698 Special Topics in Education | 1 hour Graduate Credit
Kodály Level 1: Choral Ensemble Conducting
June 17–18, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
ED 498 Special Topics in Education | 1 hour Recertification Credit
ED 698 Special Topics in Education | 1 hour Graduate Credit
Kodály Level 1: Music Literature
June 19–21, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
ED 498 Special Topics in Education | 1 hour Recertification Credit
ED 698 Special Topics in Education | 1 hour Graduate Credit
Kodály Level 1: Pedagogy
June 24–25, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
ED 498 Special Topics in Education | 1 hour Recertification Credit
ED 698 Special Topics in Education | 1 hour Graduate Credit
Kodály Level 1: Musicianship
June 26–28, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
ED 498 Special Topics in Education | 1 hour Professional Development
ED 698 Special Topics in Education | 1 hour Graduate Credit
What is the Kodály philosophy?
Taste of Kodály
Come and experience a taste of what Kodály-inspired teaching looks like! Attendees will begin to learn the process of analyzing music literature, discuss conducting and choral ensemble rehearsal strategies, study the pedagogical principles and practices of Kodály’s vision and philosophy of music education, and engage in musicianship activities serving as a foundation for lifelong musical growth and development.
Kodály Level I
Immerse yourself in Kodály’s methodology! Attendees will learn about the philosophy and practice of the Kodály-based curriculum.
Attendees will discuss curriculum development, teaching techniques, lesson planning, and supportive song literature. Active participation through singing games and folk dances is included!
You’ll analyze and study a wide variety of music literature including American folk music, art music, and the music of other cultures. You can perform song research and build your collection along with needed materials for primary students in Kindergarten and Grade 1. Attendees will develop their ability to use the tools of the Kodály concept including moveable do solfege, rhythm syllables, and hand signs, and increase their musicianship through study of the pentatonic and diatonic scales and their intervals. Activities include sight-singing, rhythm-reading, dictation, and analysis.
Finally, you’ll also develop choral conducting techniques, particularly in relation to children’s choral literature, as well as participate in a large performance ensemble.
Mount Mercy’s Kodály-based curriculum is accredited by the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE)
Meet the instructors
Sandy Miller is currently teaching at Adel-DeSoto-Minburn schools as the Intermediate Choir and General Music Instructor (5th–6th grade). Previously, she was the Artistic Director for Heartland Youth Choir. Working with children and adults to lead them to a life with music and constant learning is Sandy’s passion.
Sandy has taught elementary music for the past 20 years at Des Moines Public Schools, St. Augustin, Johnston Community School District, and currently at Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Schools. She has presented at the Iowa Music Educators Association conference, Iowa Choral Directors Association, and has directed elementary honor choirs around Iowa.
While working with Heartland Youth Choir, Sandy prepared children’s choirs for performances with The Des Moines Symphony. In 2023, Sandy led the children’s choir in The Des Metro Opera’s production of Carmen. While on tour with the singers, choirs performed at many national choir festivals.
At the college level, Sandy has taught Elementary Music Methods at Grand View University in Des Moines. She also has spent summers teaching in Kodály Certification Courses at Drake University.
Sandy studied music education at the University of Northern Iowa. Passionate about education and music, Sandy has gone on to receive her mastery in the Kodály levels and has taken class in Orff for her Level II certification. In 2017, Sandy received her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Curriculum from Drake University.
Carly Schieffer currently serves as adjunct faculty at Mount Mercy University, where she teaches undergraduate music education methods courses and supervises student teachers. She also serves as the conference chair for the Iowa Music Educators professional development conference, leads early childhood music classes, and serves as the director of the Kodály Institute at Mount Mercy University where she teaches Level I Pedagogy and Music Literature.
Prior to these appointments, she taught elementary general music for nine years in a variety of school settings, including overseas. She received a Bachelor of Music Education from Iowa State University and a Master of Arts in Music Education with a Kodály emphasis at the University of St. Thomas. She holds a mastery certificate in Kodály and has also taken courses in Dalcroze, Orff Level I, and Music Together. She has served as the past president of Kodály Educators of Iowa.
Carly and her husband, Michael, have one son (Silas), two daughters (Mary Grace and Phoebe), and are licensed foster parents.
Who was Kodály?
Zoltán Kodály (December 16, 1882–March 6, 1967) was a 20th century Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, music pedagogue, and linguist. His internationally acknowledged concept of music education is the basis for general music teaching in Hungary and also plays an important role in the training of professional musicians.
Program Benefits
- Great value from Kodály graduate certificate
- Receive personal attention from skilled and experienced Kodály-certified instructors
- Join an active and engaged network of Kodály-certified music educators
- Develop young students to be lifelong participants and contributors in music
Admission Requirements
- Student must have an undergraduate degree in music from an accredited institution and have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or a GPA of 3.0 or better in all music courses.
