Mission and Commitment

Our Mission

Inspired by the vision of Zoltán Kodály, the mission of the Organization of American Kodály Educators is to support music education of the highest quality, promote universal music literacy and lifelong music making, and preserve the musical heritage of the people of the United States of America through education, artistic performance, advocacy and research.

Our Vision

is the realization of a world where the power of music as a unifying, humanizing, and healing force is an integral part of the lives of the American People.

OAKE’s Commitment to Equity

The members of OAKE are committed to championing diversity, welcoming all people, and advancing inclusivity and equity for all. Inspired by Zoltán Kodály’s unyielding assertion that music belongs to everyone, we affirm that music is a fundamental aspect of shared human experiences. As such, we pledge to promote active music making merged with intentionally respectful practices as the basis of comprehensive music education.

Board of Directors

OAKE is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership. There are not only the Executive Officers, but the Ex-Officio Members, Members at Large, Division Presidents, Regional Representatives and National Advisors listed on the Board of Directors page.

Structural Policies

OAKE is comprised of volunteers and guided by the following structures: Robert’s Rules of Order, Bylaws, Standing Rules, a Code of Ethics, and Conflicts of Interest rules. These foundational structures guide the OAKE Board of Directors who are representatives of its members. 

Training Institutions

Training as a “Kodály teacher” is usually at the post-baccalaureate level either as part of a master’s degree or as a certificate. Several institutions around the country offer this training.

National Conferences

Each year the OAKE holds a conference during which lectures, concerts, teaching demonstrations, and exhibits provide teachers of music interested in Kodály’s concept of music education new ideas and resources. The National Conference Choir is composed of OAKE member’s students who audition from across the nation.
 

Partnerships

International Kodály Society

The International Kodály Society is active in 34 countries and has Affiliated National Organizations in 16 countries. The IKS supports those working in the field of music and music education, particularly those following the legacy of Zoltán Kodály.

Values of the IKS:
1) Individuals should be afforded the right and the opportunity to develop their musical gifts.
2) Music education is an integral part of the normal school curriculum.
3) The need for musical expression, inherent in every human being should be satisfied.
4) Room should be made for authentic musical material that has educational value.
5) As a step towards understanding between people, school song books, in addition to indigenous musical heritage, should contain songs selected from all over the world.  

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The Alliance for Active Music Making

The Mission of the AAMM is to promote active music making approaches in general music teacher education.

Goals of AAMM:
1) To provide a forum for sharing philosophies and practices of active music making, including, but not limited to, those of Jaques-Dalcroze, Gordon, Kodály, and Orff.
2) To promote collaboration between music teachers and university methods teachers toward implementation of active music making.
3) To provide resources that will promote understanding and practice of active music making.
4) To encourage in-depth professional development in active music making approaches.
5) To promote awareness among education leaders and policy makers, arts educators, future teachers, and the general public about active music making approaches.
6) To encourage, support, and disseminate research regarding active music making.  

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The Music Education Policy Roundtable

The Music Education Policy Roundtable is an alliance of music advocacy organizations formalized by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and American String Teachers Association (ASTA). The mission of The Roundtable is the unification of all music education advocacy organizations under a single policy apparatus, working in unison to achieve a consensus set of federal legislative recommendations, on behalf of the profession and all of those who stand to benefit from its contributions to education. The Roundtable is dedicated to ensuring the presence and perseverance of school music programs operated by certified music educators teaching sequential, standards-based music education to students across the nation.  

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National Association for Music Education

Among the world’s largest arts education organizations, NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century.  Since 1907, NAfME has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. NAfME’s activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education.  

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