The three-stage teacher-training program offers a profound knowledge of the Colourstrings method.
The training program is directed at:
- Teachers who have already taught using the Colourstrings method and now wish to deepen their knowledge
- Teachers who wish to learn the Colourstrings method
Phase 1
Duration: 6-7 days
Admission requirements: Previous knowledge of Colourstrings is not necessary.
Contents
This intensive course introduces the basic Colourstrings teaching material and the Colourstrings philosophy, which is based on Zoltan Kodaly’s pedagogic principles.
It includes workshops on instrumental teaching, methodology, relative Solmisation and ensemble playing. Participants will be thoroughly advised on how to use the Colourstrings material.
Phase 2a
Duration: 2-3 days
Admission requirements:
- Completion of Phase 1 or completion of a comparable Colourstrings course
- Approximately 50 lessons of teaching per pupil (with at least 3 different pupils) covering Colourstrings books A and B Sonatini, Duettini and Kreutzerini (estimated time about 1-2 years)
- Being familiar with each page of the Violin Books A and B, Sonatini, Duettini and Kreutzerini
- Understanding of the basic principles of:
- Bow guiding
- Molding right and left hand positions
- Introducing Vibrato
Content
The participants are teaching children in a workshop situation and are supervised by the teacher trainers.
Teaching material during the workshops
Exercises and pieces from Colourstrings Books A and B as well as the “Duettini”, “Sonatini” and Kreutzerini
Workshops on relative Solmisation
Phase 2b
Duration: 2-3 days
Admission requirements: Completion of Phase 1 and 2a
Approximately 50 lessons of teaching per pupil (with at least 3 different pupils) covering Coloustrings books C and D, Sonatini, Rascals 1 and 2 and Scales for children 1 (estimated time after 2a about 1-2 years)
Being familiar with each page of the Violin Books C and D, Sonatini, Kreutzerini, CS scales 1, Rascals 1 and 2
Contents
The participants teach children in a workshop situation and are supervised by the teacher trainers.
Teaching material during the workshops: Colourstrings Books C and D, Sonatini, Rascals Books 1 and 2 and Scales for Children Book 1.
Workshops on relative Solmisation
Phase 3
Duration: 6-7 days
Location: Phase 3 takes place at the East Helsinki Music Institute / Finland, where the Colourstrings approach was developed.
Admission requirements: Completion of Phase 1, 2a and 2b
Deepening the knowledge in Books A-D and all the accompanying material (estimated time after 2b about 1-2 years)
Basic knowledge in Books E and F and Yellow pages I-III and the chamber music and orchestra material
Sending video recordings
At least six months before enrolling Phase III the participants send a data file (DVD, SD card, USB key etc.) with video recordings of their own Colourstrings lessons to The Colourstrings Association in Finland
The video recordings must include
Pieces or exercises of free choice from the Colourstrings Books A, B, C and D, recorded with students of level A, B, C and D during their normal lesson
- Teaching of scales and Kreutzerini
- Students performing in public pieces of free choice from the Colourstrings Rascals Books, Sonatini or Duettini books
- The duration should be between 20-30 minutes, including group and individual teaching.
Members of the Colourstrings tutors team will comment on the video recordings and give advice particularly in:
- Appropriate and relaxed playing positions
- Intonation and rhythm quality
- Sound quality including the facility of the bow, phrasing and musicality
- “Inner hearing” of the students
Content of Phase 3 in Helsinki
The participants observe individual and group lessons and are offered the possibility of coaching and conducting Colourstrings-trained children or youth orchestras.
Lectures and Workshops introduce and analyse the advanced teaching material Colourstrings Yellow pages 1, 2, and 3 and Books E and F in playing and teaching, as well as the Colourstrings chamber music material.
Applicants are invited to the 3rd phase by the Colourstrings teacher trainer team based on the teaching videos or are advised to further deepen their Colourstrings experience before applying to the 3rd phase.
Growth and development take time.
Learning takes practice.
Take your time!
Become a certified Colourstrings teacher in 4-5 years.
Colourstrings Certification
Granting of the Colourstrings Teachers Certification
Requirements: Completion of the Phases 1, 2a, 2b and 3
- Previous completion of a tertiary pedagogic or artistic study of a string instrument or any other proof of high-level instrumental skills (such as a membership in a professional orchestra, teaching position at a state music school etc.)
- Teaching experience with the Colourstrings method (approximately 350 lessons with own students covering Colourstrings Books A,B,C,D, Sonatini, Duettini, Kreutzerini, Colourstrings Scales for children and the Rascal Books)
Having fulfilled all the requirements the Colourstrings tutors will grant the Colourstrings Teachers Certificate.
The Colourstrings Teachers Certificate entitles the holder to use the title – “Certified Colourstrings Teacher CCT”.