Every year, on the last Sunday in September, Coole Music hosts a Music Teacher Seminar on different subjects. Often guest lecturers are invited for this occasion and music teachers from different music schools and schemes from around Galway and Clare participate. Therefore the teacher seminars work both as a possibility for Coole Music Teachers to develop further skills and knowledge related to music and teaching as well as a chance to meet other teachers and network with their peers.
In 2007, Bengt Frid, a Swedish musician, lecturer and inventor, gave a presentation on String Ergonomics, which deals with the role of the body in string playing. He explained the human skeleton and muscles in context with string playing and outlined the importance of flexibility in all related joints. Bengt also presented his invention, the 'Violin Gym'. It consists of over a 100 exercises with or without especially developed tools (like wooden sticks as you can see in the picture) to help teach students about the importance of flexible movement.
In 2007, Bengt Frid, a Swedish musician, lecturer and inventor, gave a presentation on String Ergonomics, which deals with the role of the body in string playing. He explained the human skeleton and muscles in context with string playing and outlined the importance of flexibility in all related joints. Bengt also presented his invention, the 'Violin Gym'. It consists of over a 100 exercises with or without especially developed tools (like wooden sticks as you can see in the picture) to help teach students about the importance of flexible movement.
In 2009, Fredrico Betti lectured on the Alexander Technique and its importance for musicians. We studied typical working postures in our society and discussed the consequences for the balance of the body and tension created. Then we compared those postures to the ones small children would naturally use. Furthermore we tried out different sitting postures we use in everyday life, but also for playing instruments.
Fredrico explained where small changes can make big differences and as an example demonstrated how the Technique applies to violin playing. Lots of vibrant discussions ensued around the subject - both in the lecture room and over tea.
Fredrico explained where small changes can make big differences and as an example demonstrated how the Technique applies to violin playing. Lots of vibrant discussions ensued around the subject - both in the lecture room and over tea.
If you are a music teacher, mark your diary for the last Sunday in September 2010!
Subject and lecturer will be announced in our news section as soon as decided.