Sunbridge’s specialized intensive in Waldorf Elementary Music Teacher Education is for current and prospective Waldorf grades 1-8 music teachers. This offering is designed to provide Waldorf music teachers with an informed understanding of the Waldorf curriculum and the anthroposophical view of child development, enabling these individuals to be more fully integrated members of their school community and to meet their students through the lens of a Waldorf educator.

Director/Lead Faculty: Jana Hawley, MSEd

Lead Faculty: Monika Sutherland, MMus

Visiting Faculty: Jeff Spade

This intensive is offered every other year and next takes place July 5-23, 2021. Applications are now being accepted. See below for admission process.

In addition to taking subject-specific classes in how teach to music through the grades, instruction in chorus and recorder, and a music teachers seminar, Sunbridge Music students receive a grounding in anthroposophy and Waldorf pedagogy through classes in child development and inner development, reading fundamental texts by Rudolf Steiner, and developing a meditative practice. There are also electives in academic subjects and the arts.

Through your studies, you will gain a Waldorf pedagogical understanding of the child and a knowledge of how that understanding relates to music study, thus gaining an understanding of the relationship between the child and music. This will lead to a deepening of the curriculum for both you as a Waldorf music teacher and the class teachers with whom you work, allowing for a more informed partnership.

Taking classes alongside students from our three-year Elementary Teacher Education program, many of whom are practicing Waldorf teachers, provides you with the benefit of developing colleagueship among fellow Waldorf educators.

“I appreciated Jana’s openness to thinking creatively and realistically about teaching music. Rather than encouraging dogmatic adherence to clear-cut prescriptions as to what is and is not appropriate for a given age, she encouraged us to imagine the mood or feeling of a certain age and to look within our music – and ourselves – for that mood.”

“I feel much more empowered to begin teaching in the fall. Thank you for all the amazing work!“

~ Sunbridge Elementary Music Teacher Education students

Sunbridge Music students may elect to combine their specialized intensive studies with matriculation in our Elementary Teacher Education program and receive a full teacher education diploma with concentration in music teaching. Matriculation in our Elementary program entails meeting certain admission requirements such as completion of 60 credits at an accredited college or university, and paying full program tuition. If you would like to learn more about this option, please contact our admissions office at [email protected] / 845-425-0055 x20.

Please see our faculty page for bios of our elementary program faculty under whom our music students also study.

Length

This intensive is comprised of a three-week on-campus summer study, plus a one-week observation of an experienced Waldorf music teacher.

Dates

The next intensive takes place July 5-23, 2021.

Observation

The required one-week observation of an experienced Waldorf music teacher will be arranged to take place at a mutually-convenient time and setting during the academic year following your summer intensive and must be completed by that June.

Curriculum

103C Child Development and Learning  A fundamental course that provides a background for Waldorf Education.  22.5 hours

110C Inner Development  A study of the anthroposophical path of inner development as related to the life of the teacher. 12.5 hours

133 Speech Arts 15 hours

137 Eurythmy 15 hours

138 Chorus and Recorder 15 hours

140 Observation  Observe an experienced Waldorf music teacher for five full days in the following school year. 32.5 hours

152 Teaching Music A-G   How to teach music in accordance with principles of Waldorf pedagogy.  52.5 hours
Topics include:

• The anthroposophical basis for learning music and why learning and acquiring musical skills supports healthy child development
• Creating a comprehensive music program grades 1-8
• Selecting repertoire: a core component of the music curriculum
• Working with vocal and instrumental ensembles in the upper grades: best practices, goals, strings programs, woodwinds/recorders, other instrumental options and chorus
• Addressing the challenges music teachers face in the classroom, including time management, classroom management, curriculum development, and lesson planning
• Developing a relationship to an ongoing practice of self-development and meditative work in support of teaching

See the tuition for our summer 2021 cohort. Also read about our financial aid opportunities.

Our Waldorf Elementary Music Teacher Education intensive is designed for practicing Waldorf teachers who are experienced musicians or experienced musicians who wish to become Waldorf music teachers. Applicants must be proficient musicians (either instrumentalists or vocalists), be able to read music, and possess an understanding of music theory. A high school diploma is required for admission; a bachelor’s degree is not required.

• Complete an application form.
• A completed application includes:
  • Application form
  • Non-refundable $50 application fee
  • Current resumé
  • Personal statement
  • A letter of recommendation, accompanied by your signed letter of recommendation form and sent from your recommender directly to the Sunbridge Institute Admissions Office
  • If applicable, a transcript indicating the highest level of college credits/degree earned; otherwise, your high school diploma/transcript
• Unless submitted with the online application, application materials may be:
  • Mailed to the Sunbridge Admissions Office
    285 Hungry Hollow Road
    Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977
  • Emailed to the admissions office at [email protected]

Once your application is complete, it will be forwarded to the program director or lead faculty member who will contact you to arrange a phone interview. Admissions decisions are sent out soon thereafter, on a rolling basis.

All applicants whose first language is not English or who have taken their prior education in a non-English-speaking college or university must demonstrate oral and written proficiency in English during the admissions process (through a hand written personal statement and phone conversation). Taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) may be required.

Contact our admissions office at [email protected] / 845-425-0055 x20.

In all of its dealings, including its admissions, educational, and employment practices, it is the policy of Sunbridge Institute, its Trustees, officers, employees and other duly authorized agents not to discriminate against any individual or group for reasons of race, color, creed, gender, age, culture, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation or identification, or mental or physical disability.

Sunbridge Institute reserves the right to cancel or change any offering at any time and to make faculty or course substitutions when necessary.