by Melissa Stouffer | Feb 2, 2020 | All, Kodaly, Solfege
This 3-part post was drawn from my presentation for the Michigan Kodaly Educators in September of 2019. Read Part 1 if you missed it. Solfege is one of the giant’s in the music word having been around since Guido of Arezzo invented in the 11th century, but is it...
by Melissa Stouffer | Oct 21, 2019 | All, Kodaly, Solfege
This 3-part post was drawn from my presentation for the Michigan Kodaly Educators in September of 2019. Solfege…even the most quiet whisper of the word is enough to awaken our PTSD from undergrad and sight singing and ear training. All kinds of music...
by Melissa Stouffer | Feb 25, 2018 | All, Composing, Solfege
Sometimes I think teaching composition is really easy, and then I try to teach my kids to compose melodically. The first time I did it, I didn’t give strong enough parameters, and the kids came up with everything under the sun, which was GREAT, except they...
by Melissa Stouffer | Mar 15, 2017 | All, Grades: PreK-2, Kodaly, Solfege
Recently, I was spotlighted by the Michigan Music Education Association (MMEA) as a featured educator. They asked me to put together some ideas featuring the Kodaly method, so I prepared a list of ways to practice Sol/Mi. This was one of the hardest things...
by Melissa Stouffer | Mar 15, 2017 | All, Folk Songs, Rhythm, Solfege
Like a lot of specials teachers, I see my students 1 time a week. By the time you add in things like performances, prepping to sing (some of my students sing often for the church community the school is a part of in addition to semester performances), I really need...
by Melissa Stouffer | Mar 15, 2017 | All, Folk Songs, Grades: PreK-2, Rhythm, Solfege
This song is one of my favorite songs to sing in class with my students. I love using the song with my youngest students to keep a beat. (If I can have them clap while a friend bounces a ball, that is always a favorite!) This it around the time of year I would...
