‘Many people are looking for the door to the treasury of music in the wrong places. They obstinately keep hammering on the locked gates and pass right by the open doors that are accessible to everybody.’ Zoltán Kodály
‘I'm not musical.’ These words were in the back of my mind for at least the first 25 years of my life. Nothing in my life experience thus far had led me to feel otherwise. I had a scraped Grade 7 piano and a poor Music O Level; I couldn't sightsing, write dictations, understand theory or play all the right notes in the right order. I thought music was something that only talented people could do.
I became a primary class teacher and somehow fell into the job of teaching music throughout the school. I had no idea where to start until my music-mad headteacher took pity on me and sent me on a Kodály course – there my world started to change. Here was a way I could both learn and teach music without having to play the piano – it was enjoyable, challenging and beautiful in every way.
I would never have imagined then that my eventual experience and expertise would have led to me teaching in so many settings and in both the UK and abroad. I can't believe how blessed I've been and how this accident of fate changed my life, because it helped me discover what Ken Robinson calls ‘the element’. I am passionate about the development of self-esteem, self-confidence and self-worth and this underpins every aspect of my teaching. Kodály was my ‘open door’ and helped me discover all this music that I had inside me.
So many people believe they are not musical – usually because they think they can't sing, or because they don't play an instrument. I tell them that this doesn't mean that you're not musical – it just means you haven't been taught how yet.
From the ashes
‘Music should belong to everyone. Music is a spiritual food for which there is no substitute. There is no complete spiritual life without music. There are regions of the human soul which can be illuminated only through music.’ Zoltán Kodály
I have worked for many organisations and groups over the years. Now, for the first time, I have had the immense joy and pleasure of creating my own new initiative. I'm delighted and excited to announce the formation of The Phoenix Collective. We are a group of musicians who are all passionate about music, education and the arts in general.
We have a wealth of diverse experience and expertise in music education and performance, but the linking thread is that we are all Kodály-trained.
The collective aims to put on short courses in various areas and on a wide variety of musical topics, including Kodály pedagogy for different age groups, baroque dance, Dalcroze eurhythmics and a cappella arranging. We are also able to organise bespoke courses. Kodály musicianship will form part of all courses.
Our inaugural course is entitled ‘The Holistic Voice’ and takes place in south London on 30 and 31 March.
The weekend consists of an original mix of four voice-based topics:
- Alexander Technique
- Vocal Technique
- Kodály Musicianship
- Gospel Singing
Allan Hubert-Wright will be demonstrating how to create different sounds with the voice for different styles of singing – here, the ‘classical sound’ and the ‘gospel sound’. He is hugely knowledgeable but also down-to-earth and very humorous. Many people have said that even a 30-minute session with him has been completely life-changing.
He has funding from the French government to work with singers in all genres – many, with damaged voices. He is nothing short of a miracle worker and is in great demand. The course is very fortunate to have him – not to be missed.
Ken Burton is well-known in the choral and church world. He appears regularly on Songs of Praise and also other choral programmes. He is a consummate musician who will be running sessions on gospel singing. His award-winning London Adventist Chorale will be performing a concert on the Saturday.
Kathy Hulme, in her Alexander technique sessions, will show how even small physical adjustments can make a great difference to the vocal sound produced – both range and quality.
David Vinden, Miranda Zwalf and myself will be leading Kodály musicianship sessions, catering for all levels of experience. Kodály is a wonderful way to learn musical skills, knowledge and understanding and participants will unlock some of the mysteries of music in a challenging yet enjoyable way.
The weekend will be appropriate for anyone interested in the voice, whether amateur or professional – we welcome teachers, choral singers and conductors, solo performers and anyone who wishes to learn something new and to develop their musical skills and understanding.
We hope to meet both old friends and new faces at ‘The Holistic Voice’.
