Accepted Abstracts

Exploring the Reception of Hungarian Music in Textbooks for the Primary and Middle Schools in Italy (Accepted)

Type of Abstract (select): Paper presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
This paper investigates the inclusion and reception of Hungarian music in music education textbooks for primary and middle schools in the Italian context. The research aims to uncover the extent to which Hungarian music is represented in these textbooks and analyzes the overall reception and impact on students’ musical knowledge and cultural awareness.
A qualitative research methodology was employed, which included conducting an extensive literature review in the field of intercultural music education and a content analysis of relevant textbooks that have been used in primary and middle schools over the past 30 years.
The findings provide insights into the various approaches to teaching Hungarian musical culture. While the textbooks for primary schools show a marked focus on vocal repertoire and are mainly based on the Kodály concept, the textbooks for middle schools focus on music history content and composers, such as Franz Liszt and Béla Bartók. This shows the importance of incorporating Hungarian music into music education curricula, promoting cultural diversity, and enhancing students’ musical experience through comparison and dialogue.
Therefore, this study shed light on the status and potential improvements in the inclusion of intercultural activities in Italian music education institutions, according to the provisions established by the national legislator.



Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Giovanna Carugno is an Italian musicologist and music educator.
After graduating in Piano and Harpsichord Performance, she earned a M.A. in Early Music, a M.A. in Fortepiano and a M.A. in Chamber Music from the Conservatories of Frosinone and Latina.
She specialized in Music Education (University of Padua), in Music Therapy (Roma Tre University), and in Methodology of Research in Music Education (Accademia Filarmonica, Bologna). She also obtained a Ph.D. from the Department of Political Science at the University of Campania. She currently serves as a Professor of Music History Pedagogy at the Conservatory “Agostino Steffani” in Castelfranco Veneto.

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Az Amerikai Szellem: László Lukin’s Hungarian Translations of American Folk Songs in Erzsébet Szőnyi’s “Biciniumok” (Accepted)

Type of Abstract (select): Paper presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
The composer and pedagogue Erzsébet Szőnyi (1924-2019), who studied with Zoltán Kodály, Nadia Boulanger, and Olivier Messiaen, is largely credited with advancing Kodály’s vision for music education around the world. In the second and third volumes of Szőnyi’s “Biciniumok” (two-part musical arrangements to be used pedagogically with children), the musician, educator, and translator Lászlo Lukin (1926-2004) provided Hungarian texts to twenty-four American folk songs. Lukin himself was a student of Lajos Bárdos and Jenő Ádám, who (with Szőnyi) were pivotal in the development of Hungary’s system of music education in the early 20th century. This paper explores the various challenges encountered when translating lyrics from English to Hungarian: navigating the idiomatic use of language in folk material; overcoming differences in prosody and its impact on both linguistic accents and musical meter; and differentiating between literal, cultural and artistic/creative avenues of translation. General patterns of word stress, syntax, and meaning will be addressed for all twenty-four of the folk song arrangements. Through a detailed analysis of four of the pieces (“Postaváró”, “Ausztrál Tájak Felé”, “Bricskán Járok”, and “Madarak”), the author will highlight the variety of approaches taken by Lukin regarding the process of translation. Consideration will also be given regarding the singability of each translation, as well as the appropriateness of the text for children.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Matthew Hanne is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at California State University - Bakersfield. He earned his MME from Wichita State University, and BME from Friends University. Matthew earned his Kodály certification from Wichita State, and has studied Kodály pedagogy in Kecskemét, Hungary. He has worked extensively in the application of the Kodály philosophy in secondary choral education. His additional areas of research interest involve elementary general music education, and historical research into the foundations of the Kodály movement in the United States.

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