by George Kitaka One of the unique teaching experiences I boast of in my teaching career is to have taught at all levels from kindergarten to university and college. Regardless of the level I am teaching, two of my teaching philosophies always cut across – being learner-centered and…
by Eva Floyd Reality Check: What the Students Have to Say About Musicianship, Modes, and Bartok’s Mikrokosmos Have you ever read an article from the Envoy promoting pedagogical suggestions/materials and wonder about how it actually plays out in real-life teaching? This edition of Choral Connections is a follow…
By Megan Hall Lois Choksy (2014), a lifelong music educator and a pioneer in the field of Kodály education professed: “I am a music teacher who believes in the Kodály philosophy. I am a music teacher who has found the Kodály method and context to be the best…
By Matthew Nutter I know it’s going to be a good year when the majority of my sixth graders come in and already know the hand sign for ti. That first day, after we’ve gone over seating charts and played a name game, talked about where the bathrooms…
Joan Litman, author. This is a transcript of the Conference Keynote Address presented by Joan Litman at the 2024 OAKE National Conference in Chicago, Illinois: It’s an honor to stand with you this evening. It really is. I want you to know that I do so as one…
Brent GaultOAKE President, 2006 – 2008 One of the immense privileges I have had as a part of the 50th anniversary celebration of OAKE was to request reflections from our organization’s past presidents. Many of us have felt the impact of these individuals via workshops, teacher education and…
Bethany Houff The 2024 OAKE National Conference in Chicago was filled with inspirational choral singing. As both a singer in the Participant Choir and an audience member at the National Choir Concerts, I witnessed brilliant teaching, sequencing, rehearsing, and performing throughout my five days in Chicago. I arrived…