Instructors: Kim Friesen and Anita Perlau

Tuesday evenings from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

This online seminar-style course is an examination of teaching and learning processes in the elementary music classroom based on the integration of research, content and pedagogy appropriate for K-6 music instruction. We aim to understand how music education has developed into its current forms, including a critical examination of music curricula (both broadly conceived as well as specific to the Alberta context). This course will move through major developments in the process of repertoire selection and delivery. Current and relevant pedagogy, with an eye towards equity, diversity and inclusion, that is immediately applicable in the context of today’s diverse classroom will be experienced.

Instructor: Dr. Kathryn Smith

Weekends: May 1-2, 8-9, 22-23, 29-30

Friday evenings: 5:00-8:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.

This early childhood music course will explore the many ways that young children (pre-K - Grade 3) can experience music in both the general and music classrooms. Classroom and music teachers will have opportunities to engage with many aspects of early childhood music teaching including playing classroom instruments, singing, moving, and listening. This course will include opportunities to explore musical play, cross-curricular integration, children's literature within a musical context, and current research. Performance ideas and music for primary choirs will be incorporated.

Instructors: Anita Perlau and Marni Strome

July 6-17, 2026

8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily

Pre-course work required for each level. Contact Anita Perlau for details, aperlau@ualberta.ca. 

These courses are designed for in-service and pre-service teachers and community musicians interested in strengthening their teaching skills to foster love and understanding of music through literacy. With singing as the foundation, pedagogical principles and practices to support children’s musical growth in the primary and elementary grades will be explored with a special emphasis on culturally sensitive, contemporary pedagogy inspired by Zoltán Kodály. The creation of a positive classroom environment for the development of musical understanding will be explored with daily hands-on experience of learner-centred materials, resources and teaching strategies appropriate for each grade level. Choral repertoire and vocal pedagogy suitable for children will be examined. Students will have the opportunity to develop and refine their personal singing, musicianship and conducting skills in the context of daily course activities.

Prerequisite: The ability to read, write, and analyze music using staff notation.

Instructors: Sue Harvie, Andy Funke and Laurel Nikolai

July 20 - 31, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily

The Orff approach to music education is holistic, experiential and process-oriented. Students learn by active participation as they experience music through moving, speaking, singing, performing body percussion, and playing non-pitched and pitched instruments. Level I explores basic Orff techniques including the use of the pentatonic scale, ostinato, bordun (drone) accompaniments, and the elemental style developed by composer Carl Orff and his colleague, Gunild Keetman. 

Prerequisite: The ability to read, write, and analyze music using staff notation.

Instructors: Kim Friesen, Andy Funke and Laurel Nikolai

July 20 - 31, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily

In this newly devised two-week Level III course, students will put all of the elements of Orff pedagogy and media together to build a deeper understanding of the Schulwerk. Students will progress through duple and triple meter to changing meters. Bordun arrangements move from shifting to functional (I-IV-V) harmonies. Pedagogy is an essential aspect of Level III. The movement and recorder components will also extend your skills, repertoire, and pedagogical understanding through an Orff Schulwerk lens.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Orff Level II.