Certificate Courses

The BKA certificate courses in Early Years, Primary and Secondary comprise three levels. This year we are offering Early Years Level 1, Primary Level 1, Primary Level 3 and Secondary Level 3. You can choose to take these courses:

• For certification (assessed)
• For general interest (non-assessed)

Certification Requirements

To earn certification, you must:

✔ Attend online classes before Summer School – dates will be listed on this page shortly
✔ Complete both pedagogy and musical skills modules at each level

Course Structure

Each pedagogy module includes:

1. Methodology – Foundations of Kodály-inspired teaching
2. Practical Teaching Techniques – Hands-on strategies for educators
3. Core Materials – Essential repertoire and teaching resources

For full certification, both the Pedagogy Module and the Musical Skills Module must be completed.

Find out more about each certificate course below.

Early Years Level 1 Certificate with Lucinda Geoghegan

 For those who work with children ages 0 – 3.

The Early Years Levels may be done in any order. This course will be appropriate for anyone working with this age group and topics will include:

• Appropriate repertoire for this age group
• How to run music sessions for babies and toddlers
• How songs and rhymes at this stage can enhance speech and language
• Using picture books in a music session
• Listening and movement activities
• Song analysis
• Lesson planning

Pathway

Those who wish to complete this course should sign up for the following options:

• Morning Choir
• Early Years Methodology
• Session 1: Early Years 1 Musicianship
• Session 2: Early Years 1 Research Preparation
• Session 3: Early Years 1 Practicum
• Evening Choir

Primary Level 1 Certificate with Helen Blackmore

Suitable for those who work with children ages 5-7. 

Primary Level 3 Certificate with Lucinda Geoghegan

Suitable for those who work with children ages 9 – 11.

Please note – only those who have successfully completed Primary Level 1 and Primary Level 2 are eligible to do Primary Level 3 for certification. Anyone is free to do the course as a non-assessed course, but it would be advisable to have some prior knowledge of Kodály pedagogy. Topics will include:

• Revision of known rhythm names
• Introduction of dotted rhythms
•  Introduction of compound time
• Revision of known solfa – do, re, mi, so, la
• Introduction of new solfa names – high do, low so, low la, fa and ti
• Introduction of simple harmonic work
• Song analysis
• Further work on part work
• Further work on planning, strategy outlines and focus writing

Pathway

Those who wish to complete this course should sign up for the following options:

• Morning Choir
• Musicianship (at whatever level is appropriate based on prior knowledge)
• Session 1: Methodology Primary Level 3
• Session 2: Methodology Primary Level 3
• Session 3: Conducing (at appropriate level)
• Evening Choir

Secondary Level 3 Certificate with James Cuskelly

Please note – only those who have successfully completed Secondary Level 1 and Secondary Level 2 are eligible to do Secondary Level 3 for certification. Anyone is free to do the course as a non-assessed course, but it would be advisable to have substantial knowledge of Kodály pedagogy.

Topics will include:

• Rhythmic content as encountered in the repertoire
• Pitch and melody as encountered in the repertoire including chromatic pitches
• Tonalities e.g. major/minor, modes, whole tone, atonality
• Part work – diatonic and modal canons in 2 to 4 parts / 2 and 3 part exercises from the Kodály Choral Library and sing and play activities suitable for the age group
• Harmonic progressions in major and harmonic minor including triads in root position and inversions
• Introduction to 7th chords.
• In depth investigation of improvisation and composition for the Senior School
• Critical reflection of the cultural significance of music and music education
• Relevant and appropriate technology

Pathway
Those who wish to complete this course should sign up for the following options:

• Morning Choir
• Musicianship Level 7/8
• Session 1: Methodology Secondary 3
• Session 2: Methodology Secondary 3
• Session 3: Conducting Level 2/3
• Evening Choir