The Companion Music Folder
Endorsements
The Companion Music Folder became available for sale at the end of September 1998. Since inception, more and more music teachers and students have benefited from use of the folder. The response by teachers using the folder has been very enthusiastic. Several teachers and administrators have taken the time to share the following comments:
Barry
Lozenski, Instrumental Supervisor
School
District of Philadelphia
Following a reading session on
March 12, 2001, Barry Lozenski writes, “The Companion Music Folder is
an
extremely valuable tool for the elementary and middle school
instrumental music
teacher. The methods and materials
address the MENC National Standards of Music which
we are
advancing at the state and local levels.” ……. “One of the teachers
commented
that it was the most valuable and useful session that she had attended
since
she began teaching.” Click to Read the Letter. The session went beyond the Companion
Music Folder as innovated teaching ideas to motivate students were also
shared. Click
to Read the Outline of the Session.
Click
to Learn about having Ken do a Workshop for your School District. (Philadelphia has
licensed The Companion Music Folder for several schools.)
Materials of Instruction Evaluation - Anne Arundel County
Public
Schools, Maryland
Anne Arundel County reviewed the Companion Music Folder for being
included on
their materials of instruction list. The final recommendation – Highly
Recommended. Click to Read All of The Evaluation Form
Coordinator of Music Anne Arundel County Public Schools,
Maryland
Following a reading session of the Companion Music Folder by
thirty
elementary instrumental music teachers, the coordinator of music
writes,
"The teachers found your presentation to be both creative and
inspiring.
The packet of materials is very good and many of our teachers have
expressed an
interest in purchasing them."
Dr. Joseph Briscuso, Professor
Towson University, Towson, Maryland
"The Companion Music Folder is an important addition to
instrumental pedagogical materials. I have recommended its use in
my
Elementary Instrumental Methods Class at Towson University."
Howard County Public Schools, Maryland
After evaluating The Companion Folder decided to license the
folder for
all the elementary schools in their county.
Baltimore City Public Schools, Maryland
As a result of a recent in-service reading session, Baltimore City
Public
Schools has licensed The Companion Music folder for several schools.
Alaina Long, Elementary Instrumental Music Teacher
Arlington County Public Schools, Virginia
I have had the pleasure of using the Companion Music Folder for the
first time
this year. It has been an integral part of my curriculum.
We can
use the tunes in the Companion Folder with great success. The
accompanying CD is a great way to enhance the sound, as well as giving
like
instrument class groupings the effect of the full ensemble. There
is a
wide variety of tunes to choose from that can be used throughout the
year. Students love the music and will request to play songs
time-after-time.
Advanced and beginning players like the immediate success of being able
to play
along with the CD, yet the advanced players have a more challenging
part to
strive for. It’s very helpful to have both the rehearsal tempo
and the
performance tempo together on the CD. The practicality of paying
one fee
for all these pieces is a good selling point for administrators.
Thank
you for all you’ve done in putting The Companion Music Folder together.
Robert Maglocci, Jr, Middle School Instrumental Music Teacher
Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Maryland
"The compositions in the Companion Music Folder offer the most
realistic approach for the beginning instrumental music class
that I have
encountered. In most of the compositions the parts are
differentiated for
levels of ability so that the needs of all all students are met."
Deni McMurray, Elementary String Specialist
Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Maryland
"My students thoroughly enjoyed perfoming both Ghost Walk and Oh, When
the
Band at our recent spring concerts. The audiences loved it when
the band
and strings performed together! Thank you for providing us with
these
arrangements and compositions. I look forward to trying more of
the
pieces in the folder next year. My students can't wait to play
"Ghost Walk" at Halloween!
Arlene Haskins, Instrumental Music Teacher, String Specialist
Harford County, Maryland
"My string students love to play "Appalachian Fiddle
Tune"! The rhythm and bowings are challenging but accessible for
second year students.
The students enjoy playing the pizzicato blues bass line patterns to String Along Blues, as well as the rhythmic melodic patterns. This piece helps reinforce the learning of B flat and teaches them to listen carefully to the pitch of the half-step between B natural and B flat."
Mark Mitchell, Elementary Instrumental Music Teacher
Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland
"The students enjoy your music very much. The pieces provide a
challenge
for the advanced students and are also playable by the less
experienced."
"Everyone enjoys playing Ghost Walk and Jingle Bells ... each are very clever. I am sure the audience will enjoy hearing Ghost Walk. The kids always ask to play Ghost Walk and Jingle Bells JAZZ".
"The beginning string students have fun playing Barnyard Hoedown."
"At our concert, several of Ken’s arrangements made a big hit with the parents, students & teachers"
Pam Foley, Elementary Instrumental Music Teacher
Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland
"I introduced the selection "Ghost Walk" to my groups on
Halloween and they were thrilled with it! A great way to introduce a
new note
in a fun setting! I am looking forward to using the rest of the folder
in the
future."
Jeanie Dawson , Middle School Instrumental Music Teacher
Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland
"I love your stuff and so do my kids!! I'm definitely your
advocate!! Thanks for everything...."
Virginia Sanders, Elementary Instrumental Music Teacher
Harford County, Maryland
"I have used the Companion Music Folder and found it to fill a need in
a
smaller school where the band instrumentation is lacking. It
allows a few
good players to have a more interesting part while the rest have
something at
their level to play."
Paul Mitchell, Elementary Instrumental Teacher
Fairfax County, Virginai
"Old MacDonald Had a Jazz Band is a fun and easy piece that can be
worked
up quickly for a concert. The students love it and it is a big
hit with
the audience."
Emily Coile, Instrumental Music Teacher
Montgomery County, Maryland
"What amazing music Ken Dahlin’s arrangements are!! I started a
band
and orchestra at a private (first - eighth grade) school. The music was
a hit
with the children. When we worked on Mr. Dahlin’s music I did not
have to
remind students to practice. Not only was it a hit with the
students but
the faculty and parents loved the music as well. Most of the
music
contains 2 parts; one part easy enough for early beginners and an
advanced part
for 2nd or 3rd year players. However, the band and orchestra
sounds
wonderful just with the beginning parts performed. With my first year
band and
orchestra, we had our first performance just after 3 weeks of
classes!
Other teachers were amazed at how good the group sounded -
and of
course, the director is given all the credit after performances.
After
this early performance one teacher told me about a school where they
started a
band and orchestra and for the first few years the audience had to
cover their
ears. "I don’t know how you do it," she said, "but
congratulations and keep up the good work!"
"In addition to starting a band and orchestra, I also taught general music at the same school and found Ken Dahlin’s arrangements to be extremely helpful in recruiting band and orchestra students for the following year. The school learned the words to some of the tunes and some younger grades choreographed the music. At school performances students sang along with the band and orchestra really boosting school spirit and exciting students to want to be apart of the fun band and orchestra!"
Thank you, Ken!
Emily Coile