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 Canterbury Musical Parenting Association Inc.

Newsletter February 2010

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

Wednesday 17^th February in the Trinity Room at the Christchurch School of Music on Barbados St.

7.30-7.45pm Library time -Kathy & Sarah will help you with your hire needs.

7.45- 9.00pm This month’s meeting is all about Musical Parenting and what it really means. What do we do, how do we do it, what is musical play?   Check out the attached article by Jody Keehan and Julie Wylie’s corner.  We look forward to seeing you.

Julie Wylie’s Corner

Now that everyone is back into taking music classes it is timely to check whether we are all including vital musical parenting teaching strategies in our classes.

DO YOU INCLUDE ALL THE ELEMENTS OF MUSIC IN EVERY SESSION SO THAT PARENTS AND CHILDREN CAN INCLUDE THIS INTO THEIR OWN MUSICAL PLAY?

Melody include pitch games such as singing on one note, two notes, using echo songs for tuneful singing, singing questions, singing scale songs, pitch games in relation to the body. E.G. Feet X 4, Knees, X 4, Tummy, X 4, shoulders, X 4, Head to ascending five notes of the major scale.

Rhythm lots of patting, stamping, moving to the beat, slow, fast, patterning, use of nursery rhymes for pattern, repetition, clapping rhythms, echo games, use of rhyming stories. Remember slow beat activities calm children. Too much fast music can put children into a state of high arousal. We need to think of calm, arousing and back to calm for healthy brain activity and learning.

Texture One child plays solo , two play together in duet, then whole group, so the texture thickens.

Timbre The sound quality that makes one sound easily identified from another. Play listening games with instruments hidden behind a screen, can the children identify woodblock, triangle etc.

Is the sound metal, wooden, skin?

Form: refers to the structure of the piece, e.g. nursery rhymes have a clear beginning, middle and end. Musical form help children to anticipate and follow sequences within the song

Harmony occurs when two or more notes are sounded together and combine in a special way. Sing rounds such as “Row, row, row, your boat”. Give three children a chime bar each using C.E.G. Get them to play together. They have played a chord. Now another three play three different notes. D.F.A they have played a minor chord. Listen to “Skittery Mouse” on “Teddy Bears Tango”: that uses the minor scale and outlines the minor chord.

Dynamics Loudness or softness of sound. Play crescendo, diminuendo games gradually getting louder, softer.

DO YOU FOLLOW THE CHILD AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN?

Creativity flourishes when babies and young children are given opportunities to be the leader. If a child sings a sound, creates a gesture, build it into the song or activity. This builds nurturing, self- esteem, and a strong sense of community within the group.

DO YOU INCLUDE THE PARENTS AS ACTIVE PARTNERS IN THE MUSICAL PLAY?  Include partner games such as “Ring- a ring- a Rosy” for parent and child, play peek-a-boo games, clapping games, bouncing and rowing games. We need to spend time making sure parent and child are moving, playing in synchrony with each other.

DO YOU CREATE SONGS/DANCES WITH THE CHILDREN AND PARENTS?

Make up new verses for well known songs, play simple rhyming games, leave off ends of phrases of songs for children to fill in the gaps. “Humpty Dumpty sat on the mat, Humpty Dumpty was wearing a hat, clapping and stamping and singing a song, Humpty was happy all the day long”.

Julie Wylie 2010

BEHAVIOUR IS COMMUNICATION There is always a reason for what a child is doing. If the child goes away from the group to a corner to observe, the music or the group dynamics are probably too overwhelming for the child at that moment. Give room for the child to rejoin when she is ready.

Musical Play is about listening to, watching and following the child/children whenever possible and building their own offerings into a musical experience. e.g. the babies are pulling up and standing at the bass drum. They need time to explore, to tap, bang, bounce in time and to watch and listen to each other. They are learning to be proud performers, being a part of a music group, knowing that they are supported within a loving music environment with proud parents watching, singing and playing as the babies lead the musical game.

Feelings of anticipation, wonder and joy are evoked through the creative process of music making. Learning to love music and sharing in its wonders, can begin with the baby in the womb.

HAVE FUN AS YOU SING AND SAY, MOVE AND PLAY WITH THE FAMILIES YOU WORK WITH.

Dates to Note

A Taste of Orff

Saturday 27^th February 10am to 3.30pm.  Music Education Canterbury and Orff Aotearoa NZ present a fun, practical workshop to introduce you to the fundamentals of Orff Schulwerk. Check out the flier and registration form.

Enrol by Monday 22 February.

PSIS Children’s Day

Sunday 7^th March, 11am to 4pm at the Groynes, Johns Road, Christchurch.

Free activities for all ages of children. CMPA are proud to have been invited to be part of the under 5’s area and will be running interactive sessions on the stage and in the crowd. Come on down and join the fun!

Orff Levels Training 2010

Monday 12 to Saturday 17 April ONZA and MENZA are hosting Level 1 and 2 training courses in Orff Schulwerk at the College of Education. Facilitators are Christoph Maubach, Susie Davies-Splitter and Sarah Brooke.

For more info contact Celia Stewart celia@xtra.co.nz phone 027-529 9000.  

A good childhood: the science and the spirit of good parenting in the 21st century.

A six-part series on early childhood and parenting drawing on the insights of psychology, philosophy, medicine, education, religion and the law. Presenters include the Children’s Commissioner, the Principal Youth Court Judge, Julie Wylie and the children’s advocate Judy Bailey.

This course will be held at St Margaret’s College Chapel.

6 Mondays: February 22^nd to March 29^th 7.00pm - 8.30pm.

Fee $60.00    Limited places

Go to http://www.theologyhouse.ac.nz/

“Tiny Tapping Toes” Under 5’s Series at the Christchurch Music Centre

Mondays once a month at 10.00am: $4 per child - carers/parents free

To book contact Trish Rainey 3775000 or e-mail concerts@musiccentre.org.nz

1st March   Liz Weir Storytelling

12th April   Jody Keehan Music and Movement

3rd May     Tessa Rose (Colin the Kiwi)

CMPA and MEC Workshop with Soili Perkio

A truly inspirational music educator, Julie is thrilled that Soili will be here to present a oneday workshop on Saturday 1^st May from 10am till 4pm. More details to be confirmed.  

and in the pipeline ….

There will be a mini Canterbury Music Education music conference on Saturday June 26th with a lot of choices for Musical Parenting members.

The Value Of Community Music

A Taste Of Orff - brochure

Orff Levels Training 2010 - brochure

Canterbury Musical Parenting monthly meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of the month start again for 2010 in February. 

The list of music classes will be updated by the end of January. If you are looking for a music and movement class in your area feel free to contact the CMPA member showing classes where you are.  Enjoy your summer break and the endless opportunities for making music with your children!

come along tonight 2nd December to julie’s to share Christmas ideas.  Bring a plate.

Canterbury Musical Parenting Association Inc.

Newsletter October 2009

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

Wednesday 21^st September in the Trinity Room at the Christchurch School of Music on Barbados St.

7.30-7.45pm Library time -Kathy & Sarah will help you with your hire needs for the month.

7.45- 9.00pm This week, Julie Wylie will be work-shopping her new CD “Bop It In The Rocket”, with lots of ideas for use with or without the CD.

Please bring along ideas for songs that you enjoy sharing with children - these might be action songs, dance songs or some treasure you have found on a CD.

The new format for our newsletter will involve all members taking turns to contribute articles / ideas each month. We hope that this will make for interesting reading and a wide variety of ideas and stories that our members will share. Thanks to those who have written pieces for this month’s newsletter.

We will co-ordinate whose turn it is to contribute to the newsletter and send you an email asking if you have time to write something for that month. When it is your turn, please submit your piece to musicalparenting@gmail.com by the 1^st of the month.

Thanks to Lynda for the delightful photos in this newsletter!

SPACE DAY AT MUSIKOOL KIDS, PAPANUI 

Melanie Koster

Musikool Kids at Papanui Methodist Church has a special theme day once a term.  Last term we had an OUTER SPACE DAY.  A couple of the mothers came down to the hall the night before and helped create a “space cave” with the aid of black fabric, fairy lights (for stars) and hanging plastic balls (for planets).   

Children and their parents / caregivers were invited to come along in fancy dress… there were robots, aliens, astronauts, super heroes, stars and space fairies… and it was great to see quite a few adults join in the fun of dressing up, too.  We even had a whole family of astronauts!  To prove fancy dress can be done on a budget, I made my space outfit from two silver car sunshades ($2 each) and spray-painted a pair of boots from the op shop silver!  I only needed one sunshade for my son Izak’s spacesuit, and covered his bike helmet with tinfoil. 

In the weeks leading up to our special day, we also challenged the families to create a rocket ship or robot from cardboard boxes, yoghurt pottles or anything else from their recycling bin and bring along to display on the stage.  The pride and joy on the children’s faces as they brought in their creations the whole family had worked together on was beautiful! 

Most of our songs linked in with the space theme…  

Twinkle twinkle little star

Five little men in their flying saucers (using magnetic board & laminated spaceships)

Shooting Stars (HI-5 : waving tinsel)

Space Journey (HI-5: waving tinsel)

Zoom, zoom, zoom, I’m going to the moon (on Julie’s CD ‘Bop it in the Rocket’ with rainbow ring)

Touch the Stars (Love to Sing, ‘Move & Grove with Hearty Fun’ CD)

Planet Disco (HI-5)

Five little robots (from Julie’s ‘Sing & Play’ CD; used instruments, and robots on magnetic board)

Rocket Ship Countdown (Don Spencer/Terry Murray ‘Songs from Outer Space’ CD.  We used the parachute and all let go of it for ‘blast off’, but we had to move out of the space cave to the other end of the hall!)

Walking on the Milky Way (sung by Franciscus Henri: we danced to this one, with bubbles) 

It was wonderful to build on the space songs we had learnt by introducing Julie’s fantastic ‘Bop it in the Rocket’ song, at the end of the term.  It has quickly become a firm favourite with the group.   

Next term we are planning a transport themed day, so the ‘Bop it in the Rocket’ CD with all the travelling and vehicle songs shall be very well used!  Thanks, Julie! 
 

Library Update

Katharina Cairns

Earlier in the year we had a problem with a broken key for the library closet, so we couldn’t issue anything, but this problem has been solved so you are welcome to come and have a look and hire something from our resources, instruments and props. You should find everything which is available, listed on our musical parenting website. The last 2 months the library was open and nobody came so I want to encourage you to use our library and have fun with new ideas.  Happy music making  

Photos care of Lynda Skinner

Bernadette Murphy’s preschool class

Lynda Skinner’s preschool class

Dates to Note

23 October BIG BANG a concert for Canterbury Primary Schools, lots of fun, action and great music, featuring Internationally renowned Brazilian percussionist Ney Rosauro sponsored by Outreach sponsor Solid Energy

30 October  Under the direction of arranger Tom Rainey, Kiwi Jazz, sponsored by City Series sponsor Ballantynes, features the velvet voice of Whirimako Black along with an array of local jazz luminaries such as Doug Caldwell, Stu Buchanan, Bob Heinz, Scott Taitoko. Cameron Pearce, Jennine Bailey, Harry Harrison, Gwyn Reynolds and Reuben Derrick.

Book through Ticketek 03 377

Christchurch School’s Music Festival 15-22 Oct, Town Hall http://www.musicfestival.school.nz/

Jim & Jean Strathdee Sing Along and Music Workshop Fri 30^th Oct, St Albans Uniting Parish, 7.30pm for introductory sing-along. Contact hugh.perry@xtra.co.nz

Internationally honoured hymn and song writers, worship leaders and concert artists, Jim & Jean Strathdee share the power and sensitivity of their music with thousands of people each year. Their songs are a musical offering of hope and encouragement for all people, bringing a message of compassion, justice and healing.  The Strathdees have a special gift for encouraging people to sing with them. Much of the music they write and perform is designed for congregational song.

Kids in Town Thursday 7th May-Thursday 17th December 2009, Chch Art Gallery

Every Thursday lunchtime during school terms 2, 3 & 4: from 12 noon - 1 pm

Under 5’s Series at the Christchurch Music Centre

Mondays at 10.00am: $3 per child - carers/parents free

2nd Nov                            Pandemonium - Percussion

CSO Christmas with Margaret Mahy Sat, Sat 19 Dec, Town Hall. This popular annual blend of majestic carols, yuletide songs and fun-filled antics orchestrated by Philip Norman, will be garnished by magic from Margaret’s pen.

New CMPA email address for enquiries / contributions to the newsletter:

musicalparenting@gmail.com

 Canterbury Musical Parenting Association Inc.

Newsletter August 2009

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

Wednesday 19^th August in the Trinity Room at the Christchurch School of Music on Barbados St.

7.30-7.45pm Library time -Kathy & Sarah will help you with your hire needs.

7.45- 9.00pm This week, Kathy Cairns will be presenting ideas for exploring modes through the principles of Orff. We are very lucky to have Kathy sharing her wonderful ideas as she recently completed her Level 3 training.

Linked in with this, we will be sharing ideas for using different scales and modes with children and ideas for body percussion.

 Everyone is asked to bring an idea to share please and if possible to write down their ideas to be easily contributed to the sharing sheet.

Julie Wylie’s Corner

Louise Shand and I are off to Melbourne to present a paper, two workshops and a resource workshop at the Early Childhood Conference of Performing Arts, part of the Orff Schulwerk Association of Victoria. Our paper, “Threading Your Life with Music” looks at the science of musical play and explores how music can be used by families, therapists and teachers throughout the day. If interested, copies of this paper will be available at www.juliewyliemusic.com

Thanks to Jody for this information:

David Grace makes beautiful sounding drums, perfect for pre-school music classes and they are quite reasonably priced.  For orders and more information go to: http://www.songbong.co.nz/

Musical Parenting in Auckland

Musical parenting is gathering momentum in Auckland, with Alison Broom and Julie Moore holding classes at the Parenting Place, Greenlane.  We offer 4 classes, ranging from birth - 6 months, 6-12 months, 1 year olds, and 2&3 year olds.  Bookings have been heavy for the first two classes, and are now beginning to build up with the older children.  It is a great venue for us - big, bright, warm and welcoming, and the parents frequently gather for coffee, lunch or book browsing  after the classes.  (Parents Inc. do all the admin and advertising too!) 

Julie recently had a request to do a group in a home with an established group of several mums, and two hospital departments are exploring the possibility of Alison running groups for them.  In the meantime we are practising our skills, learning lots every week, and waiting to see which promising buds break into blossom.    

Dates to Note

Music for Lunch: Chisnallwood Jazz Band: Friday, Sept 18 at 12.15pm in Cathedral Square

The Paper Bag Princess - Jolt Youth: Oct 1^st - 4^th at The Arts Centre http://www.thebody.co.nz/ or phone 366 7709.

A wonderful dance concert from this highly respected mixed ability dance company. Tickets are $12.50 and $7.50 or $40 for 2 adults and 3 children

Under 5’s Series at the Christchurch Music Centre

Mondays at 10.00am: $3 per child - carers/parents free

7th Sept                            Chisnallwood Intermediate Orchestra

5th Oct                             Louise Shand & Sarah Cannon

2nd Nov                            Pandemonium - Percussion

New CMPA email address for enquiries / contributions to the newsletter:

musicalparenting@gmail.com

The next meeting for Musical Parenting will be on wednesday 19th August at 7.45pm.   See you there!

Canterbury Musical Parenting Association Inc.

Newsletter July 2009

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

Wednesday 15^th July in the Trinity Room at the Christchurch School of Music on Barbados St.

7.30-7.45pm Library time -Kathy & Sarah will help you with your hire needs.

7.45- 9.00pm This week’s meeting is intended to follow on from the superb presentation about the use of stories and children’s books in group music sessions presented by Melanie Koster last month. This month we will have a theme of puppets to bring songs and stories alive. Julie Gaudin will share ideas about using puppets to introduce musical terms such as staccato and legato. Bring your favourite puppets and ideas to the meeting. We look forward to seeing you.

Julie Wylie’s Corner

The Music ‘09 Modulations conference was a great success with Colwyn Trevarthen giving the strong message that babies are born musical with the ability to track 30 second melodic contours especially in relation to the musical qualities of their mother’s voice.  He showed moving footage of a blind infant conducting her mother’s song with the precision of a trained conductor. At the end of every phrase her fingers were extended showing her anticipation and innate understanding of melodic contour, phrasing and pattern.

 He showed how important it is for us to provide opportunities for mother/child face to face music interaction in our babies’ music classes. He suggested that babies can take the lead. He showed many examples of musical conversations between parent and baby. The most moving for me was a prematurely born baby girl kangarooed inside her father’s shirt in the neo natal unit. The coos of the baby and father’s little cooing responses became very regular, equalling that of jazz music performers. When the father became distracted, the precision of the baby’s calling was as regulated as that of a trained musician!!

Jody Keehan and Julie Gaudin deserved a much bigger audience for their captivating music sessions. Those who were there gained an insight into musical parenting and were captivated by the musical responses of babies making music and children responding with such enthusiasm.  All the children were moving and playing rhythmically and with great pride in their own musical accomplishments.  Julie’s father played beautiful accompaniments on the guitar. I couldn’t help thinking what a sense of community was reflected in both groups. Well done Jody and Julie.

Linda Hanchard and Lynda Skinner ably conducted the “Sing and Play this Holiday” Kidsfest music groups at Chisnallwood Intermediate School for “one baby” and classes for older children. Numbers were down on previous years but people valued the Musical Parenting contribution for younger children in the Kidsfest programme.

Louise Shand and I conducted “Blues for Juniors” and “Swing me a Song” the latter with the wonderful band Baroque with Judith, Tim, son Michael and other highly musical players. Instruments included woodwind, brass including the tuba, saxophone, lead and bass guitars and drum kit. The concerts were part of Kidsfest and the music conference. The children were all totally involved from the moment we started. The highlight for me was having two little girls holding onto the sashes of my top saying they were helping me drive the “Blues Train”. The whole audience became involved, including the reviewers.   Louise was a star!!

Dates to Note

TV2 KidsFest The Breeze Mix Mash Music Bash, Thursday 16th July 2009. A free event from 11.30 - 1.30pm in the Art Gallery. Play on creations made from recycled materials, and enjoy a samba band and sausage sizzle while the TV2 KidsFest SkyArt banner fly’s overhead

The 8th Biennial Christchurch Arts Festival and Winter Garden hits Christchurch Thursday 23rd July to Sunday 9th August. Highlights will include ‘The Kreutzer’, and the TVOne Ice Dome, complete with skating rink in the middle of Cathedral Square. For info go to www.artsfestival.co.nz

Under 5’s Series at the Christchurch Music Centre

Mondays at 10.00am: $3 per child - carers/parents free

3rd Aug                             Celia Stewart - folk dancing

7th Sept                            Chisnallwood Intermediate Orchestra

5th Oct                             Louise Shand & Sarah Cannon

2nd Nov                            Pandemonium - Percussion

14th Dec                           Julie Wylie - Christmas programme

New CMPA email address for enquiries / contributions to the newsletter:

musicalparenting@gmail.com

Music 09 “Modulations” conference starts Monday 6th July 2009. To find out more about the exciting programme go to www.music09.org.nz

Canterbury Musical Parenting Association Inc. Newsletter June 2009

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

Wednesday 17^th June in the Trinity Room at the Christchurch School of Music on Barbados St.

7.00-7.30pm Committee Meeting re: Music 09 Fees

7.30-7.45pm Library time -Kathy & Sarah will help you with your hire needs.

7.45- 9.00pm “Keep in Time to the Rhythm and the Rhyme”.

Melanie Koster is going to give ideas about how she writes rhyming stories for young children. Her delightful book “The Reluctant Little Flower Girl” was published last year. There will also be a general time of sharing ideas linking in with the theme “rhythm and rhyme” so come with your ideas that work well in your own music classes or with your children.

Julie Wylie’s Corner

Music 09 Modulations conference begins at the Hotel Grand Chancellor on Monday 6^th July. We are so lucky to have world-renowned presenter Dr.Colwyn Trevarthen as a main speaker and presenter. He has written a great deal about his neuro-scientific research on music interaction with newborn babies and their parents. I have heard him twice and each time I was captivated with his film footage and really inspired by his work. I really encourage as many of you as possible to register for this conference which has a lot to offer musical parenting including a workshop “Musical Parenting in Action” with some of our members showcasing their music sessions. There will be a special rate for casual or 1-day registration and some of the workshops do not require registration for the conference.

Musical Parenting members are also involved in Kidsfest and are offering a series of classes at Chisnallwood Intermediate School.

Idea for June

Here is a traditional finger play that encourages children to listen and enjoy the sequence of actions. This is a great calming activity.

OPEN SHUT THEM (Traditional)

Open, shut them, open shut them, (opening and shutting hands)

Give a little clap > > > (three beats rest after the clap)

Open, shut them,

Open, shut them,

Lay them on your lap > > >

Open, shut them,

Open, shut them,

Give a little shake < < <

Open, shut them

Open, shut them,

Keep them all awake (hold hands up and move them around in a circle)

Open, shut them, (arms)

Open, shut them,

Don’t get in a muddle (wind arms around and around)

Open, shut them,

Open, shut them,

Give yourself a cuddle.

DANCE THUMBKIN DANCE (Traditional)

Dance, Thumbkin dance,

Dance, Thumbkin dance,

Thumbkin cannot dance alone,

So all the fingers dance

Dance Pointer Dance,

Dance Pointer Dance,

Pointer cannot dance alone,

So all the fingers dance.

(Use a little finger puppet or draw a little face on thumb or appropriate finger. )

Melody:

 So me me, so,

 So, me, me so,

 Do, re, mi, fa so, so so,

So fa mi re do

Or use numbers for chime bars

5, 3 3 5

5,3,3,5

1,2,3,4,5,5,5

5,4,3,2,1 

***********************

MUSIC 09 Modulations Conference

Hotel Grand Chancellor in Christchurch from 6th - 10th July. Canterbury Musical Parenting is involved. Go to www.music09.org.nz to register and for full programme information.

Some highlights and relevant presentations:

Modulating Our Musical Selves Wednesday 8^th July 3 - 4pm

Colwyn Trevarthen is a Professor (Emeritus) of Child Psychology and Psychobiology at the University of Edinburgh and is internationally recognised for his research which focuses on the communication of infants and toddlers, the interpersonal foundations of language and meaning, and on developmental problems such as autism that affect communication and thinking. In Bosnia he collaborated in founding a centre for music therapy. 

Blues For Juniors Tuesday 7th July, 12.40.pm to 1.20pm Chancellor 1 with Julie Wylie and Louise Shand cost $8.00 per child $10.00 per family (no conference registration necessary). This event is also part of KidsFest.

Musical Play as Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities  Tuesday 7^th July 2 - 3pm with Julie Wylie, Susan Foster-Cohen and Louise Shand

Musical Play in Action Tuesday 7^th July 3.30 - 4.30pm with Jody Keehan, Julie Gaudin and Katharina Cairns

Swing me a Song Thursday 9th July 9.30.am to 10.30.am Chancellor 1 featuring the wonderful band Barock with Judith Bell and players playing music by Julie Wylie $8.00 per child $10.00 per family

Kiwikids Songs “Pacifica” Thursday 9^th July 1.30 - 2.30 with Siliva Gaugatao

The Art, Science & Psychology of Musical Play Thursday 9^th June 11 - 12am. Presentation by Julie Wylie and Louise Shand

Dates to Note

Music for Midwinter Sunday June 21^st at the Muse, 3^rd floor of the Chch Music Centre, 2pm. An afternoon concert of community music - the family choir, ukulele group, Open Song Choir and others. Entry is just $5 and includes an afternoon tea.

Chamber Music Contest 2009 Recall concert will be held on Sunday 21st June, 7pm at the Chapel of the Music Centre of Christchurch.

Children’s Disco Dance Saturday 27^th June at Terrace Downs for 5 - 12 year olds… visit http://www.terracedowns.co.nz/ for more information.

Matariki - Storytime Monday 1st-Tuesday 30th June 2009. A free event suitable for 2 - 4 year olds at various libraries. Visit http://www.bethere.co.nz/ for more information

The 8th Biennial Christchurch Arts Festival and Winter Garden hits Christchurch Thursday 23rd July to Sunday 9th August. Highlights will include ‘The Kreutzer’, and the TVOne Ice Dome, complete with skating rink in the middle of Cathedral Square. For info go to www.artsfestival.co.nz

Under 5’s Series at the Christchurch Music Centre

Mondays at 10.00am: $3 per child - carers/parents free

6th July                             Julie Wylie - preschool music

3rd Aug                             Celia Stewart - folk dancing

7th Sept                            Chisnallwood Intermediate Orchestra

5th Oct                             Louise Shand & Sarah Cannon

2nd Nov                            Pandemonium - Percussion

14th Dec                           Julie Wylie - Christmas programme

New CMPA email address for enquiries / contributions to the newsletter:

musicalparenting@gmail.com

The 2009 Music Education Conference (Modulations - Music ‘09) to be held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Christchurch, 6-10 July 2009 will welcome home a very special New Zealander whose internationally acclaimed research has impacted our understanding of infants and young children far beyond the interests of music specialists.

Professor Emeritus Colwyn Trevarthen of The University of Edinburgh, has been a pioneer in the study of the musical nature of the relationships infants have with their parents and the ways such relationships support children’s brain development, communication, learning and emotional health. His ideas have been used worldwide to improve the quality of relationships between infants and parents.

Here in New Zealand, Colwyn Trevarthen’s ideas have supported the creation of the Musical Parenting Association, a parent-led approach to discovering, exploring and expanding the power of music to support adults and children coming into ‘synch’ with each other, paying close attention to each other, learning each other and, above all, enjoying each other. A far cry from the fast and furious hype of most music programmes for children, musical parenting is about parenting better through allowing the inherent musicality of human beings to come to the fore and dictate the gentle attunement of parent and child. Started in Christchurch, the Musical Parenting Association now has activities nationwide. For more information go to: http://www.musicalparenting.org.nz/

Using the same approach to parent-infant/child interaction, Professor Trevarthen’s ideas have been integrated into the Champion Centre programme for children with developmental disabilities for the last 15 years.  Children attending the Champion Centre with their parents have music sessions with a focus on the parent-child relationship and its power in supporting development in all children. Parents discover the “competence of infants for sharing impulses of voice and gesture in play with sympathetic partners” (to quote Professor Trevarthen). Different from much standard music therapy, this relationship centred approach provides a way for children with a range of significant disabilities to enter relationships with others through music. For more information on the Champion Centre go to: http://www.championcentre.org.nz/ 

At the Music 09 conference to be held at the Grand Chancellor Hotel in Christchurch from 6^th to 10^th July 2009, Professor Trevarthen will be presenting an address entitled Making moving music: How innate rhythms of life become fabulous art in sound. Find out more at http://www.music09.org.nz/

This is a joint press release of the organisers of the Music ‘09 conference, The Musical Parenting Association and The Champion Centre. For more information, please contact Dr. David Sell (david.sell@canterbury.ac.nz) or Dr. Susan Foster-Cohen (susan@championcentre.org.nz)  

June 16^th 2009.