Dalcroze Eurhythmics is a process for awakening, developing and refining innate musicality through rhythmic movement, ear-training and improvisation. The method is a unique approach to music learning developed by the Swiss composer and educator Emile Jaques-Dalcroze.
On the weekend of the 23rd and 24th of June, NECOM educators and community members were able to attend a weekend of workshops with highly-regarded Dalcroze educator Sandra Nash. There were sessions directed at pre-school and primary school educators, as well as secondary school and studio music educators. Dalcroze-Eurhythmics techniques can be meaningfully applied in all these contexts; for beginning musicians, those who would identify as non-musicians; for the very young and the adolescent; as well as the advanced, professional-level musician. Dalcroze techniques are structured activities with elements of play incorporated, where students respond to music physically to indicate their understanding and interaction with specific musical elements. All the sessions were well attended and enjoyed by all participants.
Michael Simpson from Ashford Central School attended the Early Childhood workshop and enjoyed it immensely:
I found the workshop really good. Sandra was very hands-on and provided us with an introduction as to what the Dalcroze method was and gave us ideas we could use with early childhood music teaching. It was good to get an insight into how Dalcroze developed and was used and I could see how it could fit into my classes. So now I’m thinking how to use ideas out of the notes she has given (also want to buy a slide whistle – Sandra has shown why I need one).