Greetings everybody!

I haven't posted for a while and am delighted to be the first poster on this thread who is actually using Cyrilla's and David's magnificent book. (I think I am the first one anyway!)

I have been using this since September when I took up my new post teaching music to 70 pre-prep children at the prep school where I work. I was fortunate enough to be given a trial pack (that's what happens when you know the authors!) and I have used it extensively. I also use it for the local county music service for whom I teach.

It is a truly magnificent piece of work and having studied at the Kodaly Institute last year, it is fantastic to have it to work with now.

Kodaly's philosophy is a really fascinating area and it simply serves to make Cyrilla's and David's book even more meanigful when it is applied since the philosophy was applied in the writing of the book.

I am extremely proud of the achievements of my little pre-preppers and their musicanship has developed in leaps and bounds in just two terms and this is due to this publication.

I often have parents commenting on how their children sing at home with regard to the ones that didn't used to and there are knock-on effects such as the promotion of speech development and social interaction not to mention the vast number of musical skills that are being attended to.

I was thinking recently about how many different musical elements and learning points had been covered since I began using this material and in two terms I worked out that 32 had been not only covered but constantly repeated and I know there are more. The way in which children's learning can be reinforced in a varied but dynamic way is simply wonderful and vitally important.

Arguably as important, everything that is covered in this wonderful book is a preparation for many other things including sight-reading amongst others and it will be fantastic when these children begin instruments and can transfer all these skills both conscious and unconscious onto their instruments.

Well done Cyrilla and David and roll on the next book........don't forget, I need it by September!!!!!!

Many congratulations!!

We're doing our best!!! *puff* *pant*

Thanks for your kind words, HK - delighted that it's helping you in your teaching so much already.

Cheers! *raises sherry glass*

I think earlier in this thread I said the book wouldn't be 'in the shops'.

We had a meeting at Jolly Learning this morning and it seems that there may be some copies finding their way to WH Smith and The Early Learning Centre, although the book isn't aimed at the home market.

All the copies that were sent over early have gone and the response seems to be good so far .

I'm told 5,000 copies are on their way over on a Slow Boat From China...

Wouldn't music suppliers be a better place?
It's where I would look for something like that.

Oh Wow!! So pleased for you . It sounds absolutely fantastic - jolly fantastic in fact

I've only just seen this topic, not been around much recently - but I read about "Jolly Music" in a magazine (although I can't remember which one) a few weeks ago and my first thought was "I wonder if Cyrilla was involved with this - it sounds just up her street". So I'm pleased that I recognised it's background / basis, even though it didn't say anything specifically about Kodaly (I think not anyway...) - it must have struck a chord with things you'd said on here about the poor state of music education in primary schools.

Can't wait to find out what Big Plan #2 is

I've sent you a PM about about something related

Cyrilla, can the book be used with children whose native language is not English? I mean would it be of any use to my little French children or does it depend very much on the use of English - say for rhythm patterns and the like?

Hi sbhoa - Jolly Learning have a very good marketing dept. and it will certainly be finding its way to music suppliers, music shops, places like musicroom.com etc.

As I said, it's not meant for the retail/home market but they did say that they would be selling a few copies that way. I think it was Dulciana who asked if it would be available 'in the shops'.

It'll also be in other educational catalogues besides the Jolly Phonics one.

Hazel - thank you for your PM - will reply asap! Oooh - I wonder which mag you saw it mentioned in?? There was a little article about it in the TES about a month or so ago but I didn't know it had been in anything else.

Ah - Big Plan #2...sadly on hold at the mo because of Big Plan #1 taking over my life...but I will come clean when I have the time to pick it back up again!!!

Aquarelle - I think you certainly could use it with your French children. We were talking about this sort of thing at JL today because their products get sold all over the world - and we were saying how the songs and rhymes could help children learning English as a foreign language, because in the main they are short and simple and with lots of repetition. I've been asked by JL to write an article for a magazine (name escapes me at the moment!) stressing this angle (I think it's something that goes to schools abroad).

Just seen this thread - hurrah and congrats, Cyrilla!

I've a feeling I may end up coordinating music in my school next year, SO... I will make sure we have a copy (and use it)!

Thank you, Ben! Best of luck with your music co-ordinating! Hope JM may be a help!

to be honest I have only recently come upon this thread - don't very often look in Teachers.

That is just a great achievement - it's terrific, Cyrilla. You should be really proud of yourself.

It is a long long way from grumbling about other resources and materials to thinking of the ideas and then planning, editing, developing, correcting, re-editing, checking and so on and finally to publication!
You didn't sit back, you did something!!

Well done!

Awww, thanks, SaxFan, for your very kind words !!!!

You're right, it's been a LOT of work...but VERY rewarding. I just want to help music education and this has been such a fantastic opportunity *pinches self to see if it's really happened*.

The feedback so far has been very positive, which is great. Howard Goodall gets his copies soon (EEP).

And we're doing two JM Training Days in June - Waltham Abbey and Glasgow - be very pleased to meet any Forums members there!

Hi Cyrilla! Congrats again!

I just went to the website to buy a copy and couldn't find where to order it! Sorry to bug you about it...am I being totally dense?! (Entirely possible at this time on a Saturday!)

Hi pianodub!

If you click on 'Stockists' on the main homepage and then on 'UK' it will give a list of stockists then info on how to order direct from Jolly Learning.

There is an e-mail addy for enquiries - info@jollylearning.co.uk - and they also give the postal address and phone number.

Let me know if you're still having any problems.

Can't make the date sadly Cyrilla

I've seen a decent chunk of the Jolly Music stuff, and it does look rather special. It deserves to succeed

Ah...am indeed a little slow this evening!

Thanks a million Cyrilla. I look forward to using your books!

Thank you, Barry - I hope so too *keeps fingers crossed*!

Hope you find the books helpful and useful, pianodub. I heard through the grapevine yesterday about a teacher who has been using them already, is thoroughly enjoying them and is very pleased at the way the children have come on musically already. Hooray!

Brilliant! Looking forward to getting them!

partly related, but a strong link really.....

well done to Cyrilla for a really pertinent and important letter accepted for publication in Music Teacher.

It is a great comment on music and music teaching and the importance of starting children early with listening and making music.
Not too much surprise, I guess, that Kodaly comes in there... because folk music and tunes are very much the basis of a nation's music and its culture. And as you know Cyrilla has been working so hard on her Jolly Music teaching scheme, basing it on playground songs and tunes.

Unfortunately music teaching is often given short shrift in schools, a lot because of the politics that pervade the system. Yet many good teachers are doing their best to help their pupils in spite of Government and Local Authorities.

Not sure I have put that all very clearly, so get yourself a copy of Music Teacher and read it.

Keep plugging away Cyrilla you will change things eventually. Hope the book continues to do well.

*makes note to get copy of Music Teacher this month*

Aw, thanks, SaxFan and notmusimum (and to aspiringmusicteacher for her PM)!

Oh - if you can't get a copy, Barry, I can show it to you on Friday .

I just keep plugging away for what I believe in so passionately - in a nutshell, quality music education for EVERYONE..

Thanks again, chaps.

Thanks C

I was hoping I might find it on the Music Teacher web site, but no luck. However, there was a very interesting sample article about music improving maths skills. http://www.rhinegold.co.uk/magazines/mt/mt-sample3.pdf

I thought it was just the sort of ammunition that might convince Them Up There that music is more than a bit of irrelevant fun for children. Expensive to set up, unfortunately.

I just wanted to say well done to dcmbarton also, who had a letter published in the current Libretto - as well as an article in the previous Music Teacher.

GO FORUMITES!!!!!!!!!!!!!



PS Thanks for this, dacapo - gotta hit the hay now but will check it out tomorrow .

There has long been strong evidence that music for children helps in many other ways, not maths alone. Music contributes so much in a lot of ways, obviously as one of the arts, performing or there is gain from listening; but also music is a discipline in itself and teaches discipline and control.
Its benefits spread far.

As a teacher it is clear to see the 'spin-offs' of music virtually without looking for solid evidence. The problem is in convincing people who have control of finances. There is far too much politics in education and 'initiatives' which really mean 'are you ticking the right boxes?' and politics of 'let's look as though we are doing SOMETHING about it...' But surely our children's future, the Nation's future indeed, are too valuable to be played about with by politicians hoping they can keep their seat at the next election.

Just wanted to add my compliments to Cyrilla on the fabulous book! I got my copy last week and used a lesson plan for the first time today with children aged between 3 and 6. It was a big hit!

I particularly liked the 'Signals' game, where you ask children to sit, stand, make a circle etc by singing a little phrase. The children enjoyed using it as a game and I found it very useful for getting them organised quickly. Asking children that age to make a circle can sometimes lead to a few minutes of total chaos...but this way worked very quickly as the kids could hear my singing voice as opposed to my speaking voice asking them to do it.

It's a great resource. I'm very much looking forward to using it and to seeing the next few books!

Thanks and congratulations Cyrilla.

Awww...thanks, pianodub!

Delighted that you're finding it good to use and effective .

The second book should be out next March and we started working on the third last week..

VERY excited because the postman brought me and Large and Exciting Parcel yesterday - containing the second book in my 'Jolly Music' series !

Well, actually it's two books - the Teachers' Handbook and the children's Big Book.

And we've just finished writing Lesson 12 for the third book *mops brow*.

Very chuffed...

Tell us all when it's available...I want my copy asap!

Still loving the first one

Thank you, David! (Btw well done on your Music Teacher article - haven't read it properly yet but hope to get to it tomorrow .)

The main bulk of the shipment will arrive on May 19th, pianodub - so if you put in an order with Jolly Learning now you should get it soon after that date !

Great news, Cyrilla!! Well done!

Thanks so much, cambiata and jenny - your support means a lot.

That's great news - I was wondering when the second book was coming! My year 1s have almost finished the first book so can just go straight on to the 2nd when they hit year 2 - they absolutely LOVE it.

Particularly good for my school as I'll be leaving at the end of term and at the moment it's unclear whether there'll be a music 'specialist' from Sept. I've shown Jolly Music to several non-specialists and they all said they'd be happy to use the scheme to teach music as it's so clear and comprehensive. So at least music in KS1 won't go down the pan!

Fantastic - C goes from strength to strength!
Great News.

Oh, I'm delighted that your Year 1s are enjoying the lessons ! And, yes, you can go straight on to the new book ('Level 1') - lots for them to get stuck into there!

And I'm also very pleased that the non-specialists at your school feel they are able to use JM - it's very gratifying when we find that both musicians and general class teachers can use it equally happily (which was our and the publisher's intention from the start).






Thank you, Maggie - much appreciated!!!

*awards David a sticker*

Unbiased opinion from someone who has seen Jolly Music no. 2.

They're very good . Big tick for being very clear and easy to use. Another big tick for the large print song words. Plenty of good material there to use, that will break down into nice easy to use chunks. Like the illustrations too.

So well done Jolly Music team!

Hmm... exactly how unbiased is this opinion? Is Cyrilla likely to give you a sticker?

Seriously though, congratulations C!

*awards both barry-clari and maledictis stickers*

Yay!

and here's barry ->

beat me to it...

...you're so predictable

(Sorry - )

I had a peep at Book 1 on Saturday, when I met Cyrilla at Guildhall and watched her fabulous lessons. Not only do I thoroughly recommend the book, but also the Kodaly approach in general. I can't help thinking what a wonderful country this would be if all schoolchildren were reared according to the Kodaly concept... Tell your colleagues, your boss, your friends, your family - nay, EVERYONE - all about it!

(PS Cyrilla - looking forward to Big Plan #2...! )

Aw, thanks, benjaminja, for your kind words !

Incidentally, 'Book 1', or rather, 'Level 1' is actually the second book (the first one was titled 'Beginners').

Ah, yes, if only everyone was taught in this way by skilled and highly-trained and enthusiastic teachers - we would have a lot more happy and fulfilled children and the job of the instrumental teacher would be very much easier...

I'm afraid Big Plan #2 is 'on hold' at the moment (no TIME!!!!!!!), but, yes, benjaminja, it's GOT to happen (and you've got a job *lol*)!

You've got a job too !!

Just to say that the latest Jolly Music book - Level 2 - has just come out - I got my copy on Tuesday!

I'm delighted with it - it looks gorgeous again, plus it's one of my Year 2's on the front cover.

It's the third book in the series - only four more to go...

Ordered mine this evening and really looking forward to getting stuck into it! The books are brilliant...fabulous resources for anyone who is really interested in music pedagogy, especially in classroom/group situations.

Congrats to Cyrilla! I'm looking forward to having a healthy portion of my shelves taken up by the whole collection!

Great news! congratulations Cyrilla.

Oooo...thanks, noodle, pianodub and maggie!

Umm...just about half-way through writing the fourth book...

*mops brow*