Teaching Songs Of Social Justice Through Dalcroze Eurhythmics

This session will actively engage participants in Dalcroze Eurhythmics using songs of social justice from the Justice Choir Songbook. This combination of purposeful movement and the exploration of meaningful texts in song can provide a powerful educational experience for students in the upper elementary/middle school general music classroom. Musical concepts including steady beat, melodic rhythm, meter, syncopation, harmony, solfège, phrasing, articulation, and expressivity will be addressed. Discussion questions that focus on how the text, music, and movement work together to increase awareness of and connection to social justice issues will be provided.

Dr. Marla Butke 

Otterbein University
Retired

Marla Butke, Ph.D., recently retired from Otterbein University where she directed the Women's Chorale and taught General Music and Choral Methods, holds degrees from Miami University, Wright State University and The Ohio State University. She is a Master Teaching Artist with the American Eurhythmics Society and recently served as the President of the Board of AES. Dr. Butke regularly presents Dalcroze Eurhythmics workshops throughout the United States and internationally, including presentations in Spain, China, and England, and for national conferences including ACDA, OAKE, AOSA, and AES as well as other regional, state, and local conferences/workshops. Dr. Butke, along with co-author Dr. David Frego, wrote Meaningful Movement: A Music Teacher's Guide to Dalcroze Eurhythmics. Their new book, Dalcroze Eurhythmics in the Choral Classroom, was released early this spring by the Hal Leonard Corporation.

Dr. David Frego 

Penn State University
Director and Professor

David Frego, Ph.D., is professor and director of the School of Music at Penn State University.
Dr. Frego is past president of the American Eurhythmics Society and the Dalcroze Society of America, and regularly presents workshops on Dalcroze Eurhythmics throughout the globe. While performing artists of all ages benefit from rhythmic training, eurhythmics in teacher training is an important focus of Dr. Frego’s research. Other teaching and research areas include dance philosophy and the application of Dalcroze Eurhythmics as palliative care for adults with post-traumatic stress. David Frego has published book chapters, DVDs, books, and articles in both music education journals and medical journals for arts medicine. “Meaningful Movement: A Music Teacher’s Guide to Dalcroze Eurhythmics” and “Dalcroze Eurhythmics in the Choral Classroom” were co-authored with Dr. Marla Butke.

The FMEA Professional Development Conference and All-State Ensembles receive support in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.