The revised study programme will be relaunched in autumn 2024.
Application deadline: to be announced in spring 2024.

 

What?

Initiated and established by the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music in 2022, the International Kodály Musicianship Certificate Programme is a comprehensive study and certification programme in Musicianship combined with an optional extra module in Teaching Methodology (Pedagogy).

The programme has six consecutive stages divided into General and Advanced levels:

  • IKC Musicianship Programme General Level 1-3 (Stage 1-3) and
  • IKC Musicianship Programme Advanced Level 1-3 (Stage 4-6)

Stage 1 is offered for those with some musical training experiences, who have never participated in Kodály-based musicianship training (singing based) before. Subsequent stages have been designed to develop a wide range of musical skills such as rhythm, sight-singing, harmonic hearing, part-singing, analysis of form, etc. The Teaching Methodology (Pedagogy) module complements the Musicianship Programme at Stage 3.
Each stage lasts for one academic year.

Each stage consists of:

  • a two-week (or two times one-week) intensive booster course at the beginning of each stage
  • remote tutorials for 20 weeks (September-May or during the academic year)
  • end-of-stage exam workshop.

 The intensive booster courses will contain a selection of diverse study modules including:

  • group music making
  • musicianship training
  • workshops on pedagogy and materials
  • choral conducting
  • voice training

The remote tutorials will consist of 2 hours per week for 20 designated weeks (+2 hours per week for 20 weeks in the Teaching Methodology module), held during the period of September to May or during the academic year. Under the supervision and guidance of internationally-acclaimed Kodály master teachers, you will further develop your musicianship skills. The material of each stage has carefully been compiled in order to best develop your skills and knowledge and to satisfy the examination requirements at the end of each stage.

The end-of-stage examination will take place within the context of a workshop weekend in a more informal group setting. During this workshop exam, the master teachers will evaluate and assess the participants’ musical skills and teaching skills - if relevant, through various group and individual tasks. The participants of the Teaching Methodology (Pedagogy) module are required to submit a teaching portfolio as well. A successful closing exam will result in a corresponding (interim or final) certificate.

Browse the announced courses for this year here. Application is possible online through the page of the selected course.

 

For Whom?

Who needs a comprehensive understanding of the language of music and a subsequent understanding of the content of musical masterworks.

Musicians who would like to develop musical understanding in a way that integrates both theoretical and practical aspects.

Those who feel that there is a disconnection between the music theory one has learnt and its practical application.

Music educators who wish to acquire a wider set of teaching tools and develop skills to create enjoyable, meaningful musical experiences.

Those who wish to apply Kodály-inspired music education principles in their everyday practice.

Who needs a Certificate from the Kodály Institute from where the Kodály movement originates.

Who wish to study under the tutelage of internationally renowned master teachers of the Kodály Institute.

The IKC Musicianship Programme is recommended for musicians, music educators and music lovers who wish to systematically develop their musicianship to the highest level possible, including their practical musical skills in the field of music theory (harmonic hearing, sense of form, musical analysis etc.). The IKC Teaching Methodology Programme is recommended for those music educators who wish to apply Kodály’s educational principles and their newly developed teaching techniques acquired through the Programme in their professional work. The combination of these two programmes will have a significant impact on the quality and the efficiency of your professional practice as a music teacher and will result in more joyful, meaningful, and experience-based music lessons for students.

 

When & Where?

Kecskemét, Hungary announced 5 different courses (Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3 Musicianship Only, Stage 3 Musicianship & Methodology (Pedagogy), Stage 4)

Intensive booster course
17-28 July 2023

Online tutoring
25 September – 1 December 2023 (fall term);
26 February – 4 May 2024 (spring term)

Closing exam
20-21 July, 2024

Application deadline: 
full study programme: 25th April, 2023 
exam only: 14th April, 2024

 

Nanning, China announced Stage 1 and both Stage 3 courses (Stage 3 Musicianship Only, Stage 3 Musicianship & Methodology (Pedagogy))

Intensive booster course
Stage 1 (first week of booster intensive course): 4-8 July 2023
Stage 3 (first week of booster intensive course): 9-13 July 2023

(second week of both courses TBC)

Online tutoring
11 September – 26 December 2023 (fall term);
19 February – 12 May 2024 (spring term)

Closing exam
1-2 July, 2024

Application deadline: 
full study programme: 20th of June, 2023 

 

Singapore (announcement delayed)

Intensive booster course
announcement delayed

Closing exam
announcement delayed

 

Content

IKC GENERAL LEVEL 1-3 - STAGE 1-3

INTENSIVE BOOSTER COURSE

         Musicianship:

  • musicianship - 2 hours daily (group lesson)
  • methodology – 1 hour daily in Stage 2
  • choral singing - 1 hour daily (group lesson)
  • choral conducting - 1 hour daily (group lesson)
  • vocal training and ensemble singing - 1 hour daily (group lesson)

         Teaching Methodology (Pedagogy):

  • overview of pedagogical materials, teaching and learning strategies according to the Kodály Concept (for those in the programme only) - 2 hours daily

ONLINE TUTORING

  • musicianship - tutoring and consultation in small study groups for 2 hours/week for 20 weeks
  • Teaching Methodology – tutoring and consultation in small study groups for 2 hours/week for 20 weeks 

CLOSING EXAMINATION WORKSHOP

  • Musicianship (aural and written part in a workshop setting)
  • Teaching Methodology (submission of a teaching portfolio for those in the Teaching Methodology programme only – see details)

The material for the musicianship examination consists of

  1. a large selection of material assigned by the leader of the training course and prepared by the candidate prior to the date of the examination.
  2. candidates will also be required to complete an achievement test that aims at assessing the acquired musical knowledge and the musical skills developed during the duration at the specific stage level.

The aim of the portfolio to be presented at the examination of the Teaching Methodology module is to prove that the candidate has an in-depth understanding of Kodály's concept of music education and is able to integrate its principles into their own teaching work. The content of the portfolio is a set of documents that the candidate has collected during the course of the teaching year in order to prove that the above requirements have been met. All portfolios must be GDPR conform.

The outline of the portfolio:

(1) Preparation of a teaching diary containing the curriculum related to one class of students designed for a full school year and the lesson plans of each single lesson (minimum 30 lessons).

(2) A brief description of the school (history, operation, personal experiences, memories).

(3) A brief introduction of the class of students.

(4) A progress diary prepared on the basis of the teaching diary, which summarizes the musical skill development aspect of the teaching according to the following criteria: rhythmic and metric skills, melodic skills, polyphonic skills, sense of form, music listening skills. The teaching material has to be listed next to each criterion.

(5) Video recording of 10 complete lessons specified in the teaching diary.

(6) A collection of songs taught during the school year, with the analysis of the songs and their sound recording performed by the candidate.

(7) Description of the solution of a freely chosen methodological problem based on the candidate’s own experience.

(8) The summary and evaluation of an article related to Kodály's music pedagogy, which can be read in the IKS Bulletin.


IKC ADVANCED LEVEL 1-3 - STAGE 4-6

INTENSIVE BOOSTER COURSE

  • musicianship 1 / solfège - 1,5 hours (group lesson)
  • musicianship 2 / harmony and form - 1,5 hours (min. 7 students in a class)
  • choral singing - 1 hour daily (group lesson)
  • choral conducting and repertory - 1 hour daily (group lesson)
  • vocal training and ensemble singing - 1 hour daily (group lesson)
  • piano technique - 1 hour daily (individual lesson)

ONLINE TUTORING

  • musicianship - group consultation for 2 hours weekly for 20 weeks

CLOSING EXAMINATION WORKSHOP

  • Musicianship (aural and written part in the framework of a workshop)

 The material for the musicianship examination consists of

  • a large selection of material assigned by the leader of the training course and prepared by the candidate prior to the date of the examination.
  • in the framework of the examination, candidates will also be required to complete an achievement test that aims at assessing the acquired musical knowledge and the musical skills developed during the duration at the specific stage level.

 

Eligibility

The IKC Musicianship Programme General Level is open to any musician, music educator, and music lover, regardless of their existing qualification or experience. Familiarity with the keyboard is highly recommended. Applicants who have previously completed Kodály training may be able to enter either at General Level 2 or 3 - Stage 2 or 3 depending on their prior musical and educational experience, and their level of general musicianship. You may check the actual status of your musicianship with the mock tests provided on this site (registration with your full real name to kodalyhub.com is required to get access to the tests).

The IKC Musicianship Programme Advanced Level is primarily built on the foundations established through the General Level programme, but any other registered Kodály Certificate training programmes including relevant training at the Kodály Institute here may fulfil the entry requirements. To check the eligibility of your previous certification, please, contact the Kodály Institute at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Those who have not completed such studies but wish to apply to IKC Advanced Level 1 - Stage 4, following the results of the relevant mock test, must take an online entrance exam in order to be considered. 

The IKC Teaching Methodology (Pedagogy) Programme is only available for music teachers with relevant 3rd level qualifications and experience and is connected to the Musicianship General Programme Stage 3.

Registration is possible either for the Musicianship Programme or for the joint Musicianship and Teaching Methodology Programme. Please note that Methodology cannot be taken independently from the Musicianship.

Applicants may also opt for registering for the exam only.

 

Partner Institutes

Kodály Music Education Institute of China Ltd., Nanning (People's Republic of China)

Kodaly Academy of Music (Singapore)

further partners under negotiation

 

Certificates

Course Eligible to progress to Award

IKC Musicianship Programme
General Level 1 - 
Stage 1

IKC Musicianship Programme
General Level 2 - Stage 2

Certificate of Completion for
IKC Musicianship Programme General Level 1 - Stage 1

IKC Musicianship Programme
General Level 2 - 
Stage 2

IKC Musicianship Programme
General Level 3 - Stage 3

Certificate of Completion for
IKC Musicianship Programme General Level 2 - Stage 2

IKC Musicianship Programme
General Level 3 - 
Stage 3 Musicianship Only

IKC Musicianship Programme
Advanced Level 1 - Stage 4

This qualification entitles the holders to refer to themselves as a Kodály-trained Musician.

IKC General Programme - Certificate of Kodály-trained Musician

IKC Musicianship Programme
General Level 3 - 
Stage 3 Musicianship & Pedagogy

IKC Musicianship Programme
Advanced Level 1 - Stage 4

This qualification entitles the holders to refer to themselves as a Kodály-trained Musician & Certified Kodály Teacher.

IKC General Programme - Certificate of Kodály-trained Musician & Certified Teacher

 

IKC Musicianship Programme
Advanced Level 1 - 
Stage 4

IKC Musicianship Programme
Advanced Level 2 - Stage 5

Certificate of Completion for
IKC Musicianship Programme Advanced Level 1 - Stage 4

IKC Musicianship Programme
Advanced Level 2 - 
Stage 5

IKC Musicianship Programme
Advanced Level 3 - Stage 6

Certificate of Completion for
IKC Musicianship Programme Advanced Level 2 - Stage 5

IKC Musicianship Programme
Advanced Level 3 - 
Stage 6

This qualification entitles the holders to refer to themselves as an Advanced Kodály Teacher and Certified Kodály Trainer.

IKC Advanced Programme - Certificate of Advanced Kodály Teacher and Certified Kodály Trainer.

Please, consult the FAQ section for any further details.

Photo credit: Kata Gyenes. IKC is the registered trademark of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music Budapest, Hungary.