Secondary Level 1

2026 Information

In 2026 we are pleased to offer Primary Level 1 and Secondary Level 1. Visit the Primary Courses page for information on Primary Courses.

Please note: Enrolment for Secondary Level 1 is offered in two separate subject blocks; Part A and Part B. Students may enrol in both parts within the same year or elect to complete each block in separate years. Both parts must be completed in order to continue on to Secondary Level 2.

Secondary Level 1 – Part A

8 Saturdays in Semester 2 in Ivanhoe, beginning Jul 18.

Secondary Level 1 – Part B

Offered separately in 2026 or can be completed later

10 Tuesday evenings in Semester 1 in Brighton (TBC), beginning Feb 10th

AND

5 choir rehearsals with Exaudi Youth Choir held Monday evenings.

About This Course

This course offers a unique approach to professional development, providing participants with the opportunity to enhance skills and work actively with teaching concepts. A resource collection of age-appropriate cultural materials – songs and games – will be developed as part of the process.

This course is accredited by the KMEIA national body and upon passing, participants receive the appropriate credit towards the Australian Kodaly Certificate (AKC) in Music Education.

The courses are suited to secondary school specialist class music teachers. It is expected that the applicants for the course will have (or be completing) a degree/diploma or equivalent in music education and/or education. Applicants should have GOOD musical knowledge and music literacy skills.

Although this course is specifically aimed at Year 7, it is an older beginner’s approach which could also be adapted by teachers who are implementing a new Kodaly programme in a school. This could suit teachers of Year 3 upwards, as long as age appropriate repertoire is sought out. 

*Before registering, please ensure to check the course details and dates below*

Click Here to Register

Note: Enrolment for each Part A and Part B are separate

Secondary Level 1 - Part A Information

Dates and Times

Secondary Level 1 (Part A) 2026

All lectures run 9am – 1pm at an Ivanhoe residence.

Students must attend all contact hours, submit work by the due date and pass assessments in order to gain credit for Part A subjects.

  • Lecture 1 Sat Jul 18
  • Lecture 2 Sat Jul 25
  • Lecture 3 Sat Aug 8
  • Lecture 4 Sat Aug 22
  • Lecture 5 Sat Sept 5
  • Lecture 6 Sat Oct 10
  • Lecture 7 Sat Oct 24
  • Lecture 8 (Exam) Sat Nov 7

Ivanhoe Residence (details will be given upon registration)

$500 Deposit due on enrolment to secure your place. This will be taken off the total of your course fees.

To secure your place in the course, fees must be paid in advance. Payment must be received in full by Friday Jul 3 2026.

Total fees:

Kodály Australia Members: $1300 + texts
Non-members (includes 12-Months Ordinary Membership): $1400 + texts

Please see Course Payment Policy HERE.

It is expected that all students have current membership with Kodály Australia. Students without a current membership will be charged the non-member rate which covers 12-months Ordinary Membership + an administrative fee. To avoid paying the administration fee, become a Kodály Australia member here.

Required texts:

Optional/Highly Recommended Online Course:

*Available online at dsmusic.com.au/shop/

**Available online at markolearymusic.com (hard copy) or digital download from https://soundthinkingaustralia.com

Equipment:

Remember to order your books early to ensure you have them by the first lecture. Prices may fluctuate.

Deb Smith

Deborah is a respected authority on Kodály. She has held teaching positions in many schools, including Clayfield College (QLD), Head of Junior School Music at Scotch College and Director of Music at Lowther Hall and Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School. She is a highly sought-after presenter and her informative and entertaining style has always been well received. She is the author of “Musicianship & Aural Training for the Secondary School,” a comprehensive series of student workbooks, teacher manuals and CDs for the teaching of musicianship, theory and aural training for the secondary school.

Secondary Level 1 - Part B Information

Dates and Times

Secondary Level 1 (Part B) 2026

It is advised that students study both Part B (Semester 1) and Part A (Semester 2) to complete their Level 1 certificate in 2026.

All lectures run 7.00pm – 9.30pm. Venue in Brighton TBC.
Choir rehearsals run 7.30pm – 9.30pm at Armadale Baptist Church.

Students must attend all contact hours specified, submit work by the due date and pass assessments in order to gain credit for Part B subjects.

  • Lecture 1 Tue Feb 10
  • Lecture 2 Tue Feb 17
  • Lecture 3 Tue Feb 24
  • Lecture 4 Tue Mar 17
  • Lecture 5 Tue Mar 24
  • Lecture 6 Tue Apr 28
  • Lecture 7 Tue May 5
  • Lecture 8 Tue May 12
  • Lecture 9 Tue June 2
  • Lecture 10 (Exam) Tue June 9
PLUS
  • Any 5 YVM Exaudi Rehearsals – Monday Evenings 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Venue 1 (Lectures): Brighton TBC

Venue 2 (Choir Rehearsals): Armadale Baptist Church, Kooyong Rd Armadale

$300 Deposit due on enrolment to secure your place. This will be taken off the total of your course fees.

To secure your place in the course, fees must be paid in advance. Payment must be received in full by Friday Jan 30 2026.

Total fees:

Kodály Australia Members: $990 + texts
Non-members (includes 12-Months Ordinary Membership): $1090 + texts

Please see Course Payment Policy HERE.

It is expected that all students have current membership with Kodály Australia. Students without a current membership will be charged the non-member rate which covers 12-months Ordinary Membership + an administrative fee. To avoid paying the administration fee, become a Kodály Australia member here.

Required texts:

  • Bolkovac, E. & Johnson, J. “150 Rounds for Singing and Teaching” $45.95
  • Molnar, A. “Classical Canons” $26.95

Equipment:

Text purchases:

Peter Guy

A recent graduate with Masters and Post-Masters qualifications at the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music, Hungary, Peter has returned to Australia in 2025 to continue his career as an organist, choir director and teacher. Prior to commencing study in Hungary, he was for 15 years Organist and Master of the Choristers at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle (Australia).

A university medallist in music from the University of Newcastle, Peter was a national keyboard finalist in the Symphony Australia Young Performer’s Award in 2003, where he performed Poulenc’s Organ Concerto in G minor with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Peter has subsequently undertaken international tours with the University of Newcastle Chamber Choir, performed as part of the national conferences of the Organ Historical Society in the United States, and in 2016 directed the inaugural international tour of Christ Church Cathedral Choir. Peter has recorded two solo organ compilations, directed Christ Church Cathedral Choir in recording and enjoys an active recital schedule around Australia.

Beyond performing, Peter is passionate about music education: a passion which led him to Hungary. Peter established the Newcastle Cathedral College of Music in 2019 and was a lecturer in harmony and pipe organ at the University of Newcastle. In 2017 he completed the Master of Theological Studies through the University of Divinity.

Payment:

Please note that the course lecturer will not be handling course money or book money. Invoices and receipts are emailed from the office. There is a ‘no refund’ policy after the course commencement. Please note that books may not be given to participants until payment has been made. Please see course payment policy HERE.

Materials:

You will be given a course book at your first session.

Other materials you will need to bring are pen/pencil and notebook.

You will also need to put together a resource folder and this will be explained in more detail at your first session.

Time Commitment:

In addition to the contact hours, you will need to put time aside to practise musicianship skills, revise concepts and complete written homework tasks. The time needed to do this will vary for each person. Most people find they need to spend an additional 2 – 3 hours a week on coursework.

Assessment and Attendance:

Passing the course is not automatic, but is based on successfully completing all course requirements. These will be outlined in the first session and throughout the course. You will receive ongoing assessment and feedback from your lecturer throughout the course. In addition you will need to complete several formal pieces of assessment which includes an examination and written homework tasks. Participants who successfully complete all course requirements will receive a certificate of completion.

Students must attend all contact hours and pass all assessment in order to gain credit for an AKC course. In the case of illness and extraordinary circumstances, students may apply for special consideration and extension at the discretion of the course provider.

If you are unable to attend a session due to illness, being a COVID Close Contact or other COVID related reason, the lecturer will make allowances for a streamed/recorded lecture for the missed session.

Awards and Accreditation:

Participants who successfully complete all course requirements will be accredited in Primary Level 1 and be awarded a certificate from Kodály Victoria.

The Australian Kodály Certificate is made up of these areas of study: Methodology, Teaching Techniques, Cultural Materials, Musicianship, Conducting and Vocal Techniques and Extension Studies. The model to be used by the Victorian Branch in 2026 will consist of two sections:

Part A: Pedagogy, Materials and Practicum

Part B: Musicianship, Conducting and Ensemble (Choral Elective)

Requirements for Completing the Australian Kodály Certificate:

Participants who successfully complete subjects within the KMEIA Victorian course will be eligible to gain credit towards this award.

More details about the National Syllabus and the requirements to obtain the Australian Kodály Certificate can be found here: http://www.kodaly.org.au/akc/.

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