Dalcroze Outreach 2023 – Kaye Barker

Raising the awareness and profile of Dalcroze Eurhythmics remains an important objective to all those who practise the method and, as you can read from Christine Wardle’s report, there have been many contacts made in the past year with a variety of organisations. This is crucial to the dissemination of Dalcroze Eurhythmics, and we thank Christine for her valuable work.

Many Music hubs and services are aware of the benefits of Dalcroze – sadly usually regarded only as an ‘extra’ & slightly quirky method that can be offered at INSET (in service) training. This usually takes place at the start or end of school terms and, if only one annual session is organised then this often takes place during the summer term.

The engagement of a Dalcroze practitioner for a one-hour training session or CPD (continuing professional development) is usually great fun but also frustrating. Those of us who have trained for many years know that although this is better than nothing it falls woefully short of learning what benefits Dalcroze can offer. Yet, with all these caveats aside contact with musical organisations is vital.

As a relatively new Diplômée and starting a new phase of my career as a predominantly freelance teacher I have been surprised at the number and range of musical bodies that have engaged me during the year, whether via Dalcroze UK or through my own contacts.  Here is a list of organisations that have invited a Dalcroze practitioner to introduce Dalcroze Eurhythmics. Some were CPD sessions I led, and others were CPD sessions that I’m aware other fellow Dalcrozians taught. I’m sure this isn’t a comprehensive list, but it gives an idea of the outreach that took place within England in 2023.

• Music Masters
• In Harmony (Sage Gateshead)
• Dudley Music Service
• Ealing Music Service
• Trafford Music Service
• Wolverhampton Music Service
• Suzuki String Bonanza Day
• Sussex School of Song
• Highgate School, London – Piano Day & September CPD session
• Chetham’s School of Music – Summer School

Do get in touch with me if you’d like to add to this list!

Each time I visit a Music service/hub or school I suggest they organise on-going Dalcroze sessions for their teachers, or that they consider contributing to training costs. This is surely the hope for the future and for the ongoing need to train more teachers in this wonderful method!