There are regions of the human soul which can be illuminated only by music.
– Zoltan Kodaly

What is the Kodaly Philosophy of Music Education?
At OES we use the Kodaly method of music education throughout the beginning and lower schools. This method is a structured and sequenced approach to music education that is related to the child’s own development, physically and intellectually. In this approach we progress from the known to the unknown, from the total experience to the individual experience, and from activities to symbols. The Kodaly method is a complete program of music education that contributes to the emotional, intellectual, aesthetic and physical development of the child, providing the child with tools to help him/her achieve a fuller life.

The principal objectives of Kodaly musical training are:
1. To develop to the fullest extent possible the innate musicality present in all children.
2. To make the language of music known to children and to help them become musically literate (able to read, write and create music, to “sing what they see and see what they sing”).
3. To make the music of a child’s own culture known to him through the folk songs of his/her language and culture.
4. To make the great art music of the world available to a child through performing, studying and analyzing music while developing a love and appreciation for all types of music.

The primary tools of the Kodaly approach:
Singing is the basis for music instruction in a Kodaly curriculum. The primary tools include:
1. The tonic solfa system of do, re, mi, fa, sol, lat, ti and do.
2. Hand signs that represent the musical pitches and aid tonal memory.
3. Rhythm duration syllables as a way of voicing the rhythm.
4. Folk songs.
Although the voice is the predominant instrument, other instruments are integrated into the curriculum regularly. Instruments used in the OES Kodaly program include recorders, xylophones, metallophones, dulcimers, handbells, and percussion instruments.

Non-Musical Elements
As Kodaly music educators we strive to provide opportunities for the development of the following non-musical skills and qualities:
1. An acceptable level of social interaction in a classroom environment
2. Positive self-esteem through successful experience during the music lesson
3. High levels of thing
4. Creativity and self-expression
5. Large and small motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and aural skills.

For more information about Kodaly Music Education, please see:
Website of OAKE, the Organization of American Kodaly Educators