Amerikai Magyar Szó, 1978. július-december (32. évfolyam, 27-50. szám)
1978-09-07 / 34. szám
Thursday, Sep. 7. 1978. AMERIKAI MAGYAR SZO 7 A REVIEW OF ART; LITERATURE AND HISTORY - A SUPPLEMENT OF THE MAGYAR SZO AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE By: EVELYN LUSTIG “We must look forward to the time When all people in all lands are brought together through singing and when there is a universal harmony.” ZOLTÁN KODÁLY, 1937. On July 17th, Jim and I started out on a most memorable trip to visit the Summer Course given at the Pine Manor College, Brookline, Mass, by the Kodalv Musical Training Institute. There is also a course given by the Institute during the regular College Year and it is at Watertown, Mass. The purpose of our visit was to interview Alex Far Las, who is the Director of the Summer Course, and several professors who came from Budapest and Kecskemet. The Institute is located at the Ellsworth Hall, which has every imaginable type of musical equipment, at least that I have seen, an auditorium, chorus practice rooms, etc., and I had the personal pleasure of attending a session where Mr. Farkas was teaching the method of conducting a chorus and the other one I attended was the one taught by János Hprváth.What I heard in one and a half hours, was indeed a revelation. The song being taught and analyzed started one way and by the time the class was over, believe me when 1 tell you, I didn’t recognize it from the one that started the session. It was just marvelous and I was able to learn something from it. Jim interviewed János Horvath, Liszt Academy graduate, Lenke Horvath, his wife, Liszt Academy /they both taught at the Kodály Institute in Massachusetts for five years and were returning home this August), Gabriella Thesz, Liszt Academy graduate, Tibor Szabó, Liszt Academy graduate, professor and teacher Training Branch Liszt Academy, Budapest. Since I don't speak Hungarian, and although they spoke English, for purposes of not repeating, and brevity, please allow me to quote from “The Selected Writings of Zoltán Kodalv” several passages of a speech he delivered in 1953, to a graduating class at the Academy. “Developing the ear is the most important thing of all. Concentrate first of all on recognizing note and key. Try to determine the note of a bell, a pane of glass, a cuckoo, a motor car, etc. The myth of ‘perfect pitch’! It is not innate but a question of practice, mosflike measuring by eye. In fact, before pitch was defined by international convention, the note ‘A’ was different in every city.” “Practice scales and give finger exercises assiduously. Many people, however, think that they can achieve everything if they spend enough years practicing automatic exercises for hours and hours every day. This would roughly be like reciting the alphabet faster and faster every day. Make better use of time! /To acquire a technique and money-are necessary evils, Leschetizky.)” “Play in time! Some virtuosi play the way a drunk man walks: not an example to follow.” “Learn the basic laws of harmony early. Do not be frightened by words like: theory, figured bass, counterpoint. They will welcome you in a friendly way if you approach them amicably.” “To drag and to rush are equally great mistakes.” “Rather play an easy piece well and beautifully than a difficult one in a mediocre way.” “Listen to all folksongs attentively, for they are the treasure grove of the most beautiful melodies and through them you can get to know the character of peoples.” “On the basis of what has been said, the characteristics of a good musician can be summarized as follows: 1. / A well trained ear 2. / A well trained intelligence 3. / A well trained heart 4. / A well trained hand.” One could go on and on and quote further, but suffice it to say that all the fine professors at the Institute who were interviewed by Jim, dealt with the problems to be solved in the above quotations, and therein lies the Kodály Method of Teaching. With this background, you will understand that the Summer Session at the Pine Manor College, which was an intensive four week course, was attended by 75 students, the overwhelming majority of whom are music teachers, in all levels of schools, including college professors. We have interviewed a number of the students, and they have, in their om language, expressed their feelings regarding the Course, which was about to be concluded. The extreme discipline of the students in attending classes, the punctuality and attentiveness was truly exceptional. FLORANCE ARNOLD, Hayes,Virginia. While preparing material for a pilot study in York County Virginia, I received a Book Club selection, called “The Kodály Method”, by Lois Choksy. The Institute was mentioned in the book as being one of the only places in this country for training and I felt that this training would help with mv pilot study. The study is being done by me in my music program. Í teach K-6 music classes and am trying to find specific musical activities that reinforce reading and math skills. I am very excited about the musical emphasis of teaching rather than the mechanical. EVELYN JOHNSON, Holliston, Mass. Has a B. A. in Music. Attended San Jose State College, toward Master Credit. She is a trainee for the Fall Course at the Kodály Musical Training Institute. CORIE DURRENBERGER, East Hartford, Con. Few words can adequately express the musical goals and achievements sought by the KMTI Summer Course. The combined knowledge of ALL our marvelous teachers and peaceful surroundings of this lovely campus make learning and music-making a singular joy! I particularly enjoyed our “special” workshop and evenings spent with guest artists of many and varied backgrounds. It is obvious,these few weeks of concentrated study are prepared with great care, intense depth and such sensitivity for all by its Director and staff. Surely one cannot come away untouched and still call oneself a “music lover.” ELLEN SHIFRIN, 23, teacher elementary music 1-6 grades. Father is head of Music Dept, of Binghamton Public Schools. Jill Trinka, who went to Hungary told me of-this Institute /through her bovfriend/. She is a teacher in New Haven. I am a first year student at the KMTI. In relationship to NY State Univ. it is incomparable. Quality is of a totally different character and caliber. In comparison to most of my teachers of the past, they are people I can respect. Both of us want to study in Hungary for a year. BETH CAPOBIANCO, 20. Student at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pa. No formal music background except what I learned in public school and piano lessons. I am presently a violin major. I have one semester at Duquesne, and will be coming back to KMTI in January, 1979. I found out about it through Mrs. Christine Jordanoff, a former student at KMTI. The most valuable experience that I have here, has been in talking and studying with my Hungarian teachers. I feel that they have so much to offer in their musicianship, their philosophies and their personalities. The stress that is placed on the folk TO OUR READERS Do you have personal recollection of any historic event which may be of interest to Heritage readers? Send it in 250 words or less to Ms. Fay Deak, 130 E 16 St. New York,NY 10003.
