NMTA was thrilled to have Dr. Jeremy Dittus, Dalcroze Education Specialist, as our Summer Workshop clinician. Dalcroze is a process for awakening, developing, and refining innate musicality through rhythmic movement (often called eurhythmics), ear-training, and improvisation.” Attendees learned about this valuable tool for music education by participating in Dalcroze activities.
When: June 21, 2025
Where: Carol Joy Holling Retreat Center in Ashland, NE
Learn more about Jeremy Dittus: biography
Here’s a snapshot of our schedule:
- 8:30-8:55 AM Registration in Swanson Retreat Center
- 9:00 Inspiration with Paul Barnes – outdoor setting nearby
- 9:30 Welcome and Introductions, Dillon Room
- 9:40 Dalcroze Eurhythmics: Musicianship from the Inside Out!
- 11:10 Break
- 11:20 Dalcroze Plastique Animee: Show Me the Music!
- 12:10 Lunch in Sjogren Center
- 1:10 Meet ‘n Greet, Social Mixer
- 1:20 NMTA Resources with Brenda Wristen
- 1:30 Unveiling the Mystery: Dalcroze Strategies and Techniques, Q & A
- 3:00 Break
- 3:15 “Bass Meets Voice” featuring Jackie Allen and Hans Sturm
- 3:55 Guided Discussions: 1) Music Games/Craft 2) Church Music 3) Adjudicators’ Perspective on Performances
- 4:45-5:45 Hiking, Boating (canoes, kayaks, paddleboats), Social, Shopping in Ashland
- 6:15 Group Dinner Outing in Ashland (optional)
Session Summary
1. Dalcroze Eurhythmics: musicianship from the inside out! (90 minutes) a. Equipment: large open space, with clean floors for movement in bare feet; b. Abstract: In this session, we will explore musical concepts from a physical point of view. Using the body as the instrument for learning, we will address elements of rhythm and pitch in different ways that will culminate in a deeper understanding of a piece of music. Participants will leave with new ways of thinking about musical meaning, including many ideas on how they might consider applying purposeful movement to their own teaching or practice. Come prepared to move and experience the physical side of music learning!
2. Unveiling the Mystery: Dalcroze Strategies and Techniques (60-90 minutes) a. Equipment: large open space, with clean floors for movement in bare feet; b. Abstract: Dalcroze Education is powerful because it uses a non-verbal means to teach a non-verbal art. In this session designed for all instruments, we will explore ways to make this work for your group and private lessons at home. Come ready move and explore how Dalcroze Strategies and Techniques can bring vibrant energy to your classroom and deepen the musicianship and imagination of your students, too!
3. Dalcroze Plastique Animée: Show Me the Music! a. Equipment: large open space, with clean floors for movement in bare feet; b. Abstract: Dalcroze Plastique Animée is the analysis of a musical work using the body as the vehicle for visual demonstration; it is the culmination of all Dalcroze Education in that combines improvisation, rhythmic-movement, analysis, and keen listening skills to better understand a piece of music. We will focus on ways to create movement pieces using a variety of literature that will teach important musical concepts to students. Plastique Animée motivates and inspires so that the student begins to really own the score and embody it with joyful freedom of expression!