The Globalization of Kodaly-inspired Teaching: From Hungary to the United States

Type of Abstract (select): Individual Presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
The Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály revolutionized music education by promoting music literacy through folk songs, singing games and high-quality art music. This “Kodály Concept” spread from Hungary throughout the world. This historical sketch focuses on the connection between the USA and Hungary in the globalization of Kodály-inspired music education.

Individual exchanges were a first step in introducing the Kodaly Concept in the United States. Kodály began his extensive international work in music education and composition in 1946. Americans Denise Bacon, Mary Helen Richards, Elizabeth Moll, and the “Ringer Fellows” (1968) including Jean Sinor and Connie Foss Moore came to Hungary. Hungarian music educators Péter Erdai and Katinka Dániel taught in the United States. Other Hungarians such as Erzsébet Szönyi, Katalin Forrai, Janö Ádám and Klára Kokas had a deep influence on music educators in America and throughout the world.

But this dissemination could not be done by individuals alone. It was aided by organizations. The Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, and the Liszt Academy in Budapest educated international students. The International Society of Music Education (1953) held their 1964 conference in Budapest and Kodály, Forrai and Szönyi were all long-term officers. The International Kodály Society, (1975) was the first non-governmental international organization in Hungary. Yearly sessions at conferences of the National Association for Music Education and the American Organization of Kodály Educators promote the Kodály Concept to practitioners throughout the United States.

And thus, the legacy of Zoltán Kodály lives on in Hungary, the USA and throughout the world.



Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Dr. Pamela Stover recently retired from the University of Toledo (Ohio, USA) after a 40-year teaching career spanning Preschool Music to University Graduate Research Faculty. In demand as a clinician and as a music education historian, she has taught or presented research throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and the Middle East. Stover was the 2020 Fulbright Research Scholar at the Zoltán Kodály Institute in Hungary. Her PhD was earned at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in music education with minor fields of pipe organ and church music.