What better way to launch the Kodály Spring Course 2016 than a lecture on the Role of Folk Song in the Kodály Approach by Dr László Norbert Nemes.

After getting us all moving with a fun Hungarian folk dance he explained Kodály’s views on folk music and their place in the pathway to understanding past, present and future Classical art music.

“In traditional songs the emotions of centuries are immortalised in a form polished to perfection…. No masterpiece can replace tradition.” Kodály, Selected Writings p145

Historically the children’s life would have been filled with music.

“Natural village life [was] saturated with music…” Kodály, The Role of Authentic Folksong in Musical Education.

The role of schools and music education in schools is to

“supply the lost natural evolution” Kodály, The Role of Authentic Folksong in Musical Education

Always thinking ahead, in addition to teaching us a beautiful song, László was also preparing us for our Choir session that evening where we revisited the song as our warm up with some great body percussion to get our blood pumping.