String Pedagogy Track

“Teach music and singing at school in such a way that it is not a torture but a joy for the pupil; instill a thirst for finer music in him, a thirst which will last for a lifetime.”
— Zoltán Kodály

The Kodály Vision for Strings

Zoltán Kodály (1882–1967), noted Hungarian composer, musician, and educator, believed that a good musician should have a well-trained mind, all in constant development and balance. He also taught that music instruction should be a joy, never a burden — cultivating a lifelong love for fine music.

Kodály’s philosophy extends beyond the classroom to include instrumental instruction. InterMuse is one of the few programs in the country offering a dedicated String Pedagogy Track, allowing string teachers to apply Kodály’s principles to private and group teaching.

Purpose and Philosophy

“To teach a child an instrument without first giving him preparatory training and without developing singing, reading,
and dictating to the highest level along with the playing is to build upon sand…”
— Zoltán Kodály

The InterMuse String Pedagogy Track is designed for studio and classroom teachers who wish to integrate the Kodály vision into their string instruction. Coursework is built on these guiding principles:

• Folk Songs First: The best materials for beginning the study of music are childhood songs native to one’s culture. Folksong serves as a gateway to high-quality art music. Kodály believed that “only the best is good enough for the children.”
• Sequential Learning: Musical concepts are introduced in a logical progression so that children truly understand each element before moving on.
• Technique + Literacy: Technique and literacy grow concurrently but independently until they merge naturally.
• Group Learning: Group classes provide opportunities for peer learning, ensemble experience, and performance — allowing private lessons to focus on individual technique.
• ​Adapted to the Child: Effective teaching is responsive. In order to meet each child’s needs, teachers must have a broad knowledge of available materials and approaches.

Course of Study

String track participants study The Complete Musician, co-authored by Cynthia Richards and Dr. Jerry L. Jaccard — a curriculum addressing the needs of elementary string students in their first five years of instruction. The program unfolds over three summers at InterMuse.

Participants also take the core InterMuse courses — Kodály Pedagogy, Sol-fa, and Conducting — to strengthen personal musicianship and deepen understanding of the Kodály concept.

Because the focus is on musicianship rather than instrument technique, participants do not need to bring instruments to InterMuse. However, strategies for combining technique and musicianship are discussed throughout.

Why It Matters

“As it stands at this time, the violin teacher must teach much more than the violin. It may be true that our country is now leading the world in training instrumentalists, yet there is a glaring shortcoming, namely teaching children music fundamentals and sight-singing.”
— Lyman Bodman, Essays on Violin Pedagogy (2002)

The InterMuse String Pedagogy Track answers that challenge — preparing teachers to develop not just skilled instrumentalists, but whole musicians who play with ear, heart, mind, and hand.