Conversational SolfegeTM Certification Course, Greene, Summer 2026

Course Number:	EDX 5710 S68
Instructor:	Besty Greene, M.M.Ed.
Location:	In-person at Champlain Elementary School & online
Dates and Times:	June 24 - Aug 06, 2026. In-person Meeting Times: Monday through Wednesday; August 3-5, 2026 from 8:00 am-4:00 pm & Thursday, August 6, 2026 from 8:00 am-12:00pm. Synchronous Meeting Times: Wednesday, June 24 & Wednesday, July 1 from 6:00-8:15 pm
Credits:	3 Graduate Credits
Tuition:	Set by and payable to educational partner VMEA

Course Description

Conversational Solfege™ is a pedagogical approach used to intuitively develop notational literacy skills with students of elementary age through adults who are tuneful, beatful, and artful. Through carefully sequenced activities, Conversational Solfege™ first develops an understanding of music through the use of rhythm and solfege syllables at a "conversational" level, then gradually evolves into reading, writing, improvisation, dictation, and composition skills. Teachers will learn how to enable students to joyfully assimilate the skills and content necessary to be notationally literate, as well as learn various techniques to allow the acquisition of these skills. This Conversational Solfege™ course will address lesson planning, unit planning, and assessment and applies to music educators in most music educational settings (classroom, choral, and/or instrumental) elementary through college.

Audience: Music educators (with a Bachelor's Degree) in most music educational settings (classroom, choral, and/or instrumental) elementary through college.

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals:

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the philosophy, historical context, and pedagogical sequence of Conversational Solfege™, and apply these principles to music teaching practice.
Build the ability to make informed instructional decisions about music literacy, including when, what, and how to teach using the Conversational Solfege™ approach.
Design and implement effective instruction, including unit and lesson planning, along with appropriate strategies for assessing and supporting student progress.
Cultivate practical teaching skills to deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate music lessons, using high-quality materials and activities aligned with Conversational Solfege™ methodology.

Course Objectives: Students will be able to:

Explain and apply the philosophy, historical context, and instructional sequence of Conversational Solfege™ in music learning.
Analyze and determine appropriate timing, content, and pedagogical strategies for teaching music literacy using Conversational Solfege™.
Design and implement sequential unit and lesson plans, and use assessment strategies to monitor and support student progress.
Demonstrate effective teaching practices by presenting developmentally appropriate activities for lessons that incorporate appropriate materials and techniques aligned with Conversational Solfege™.

Required Readings/Resources

Costs for required readings/resources, if any, are not included in the course cost.

Feierabend, J. M. Developing Music Literacy: An Aural Approach for an Aural Art. Early Childhood Connections, Fall, 1997. GIA Publications - Developing Music Literacy: An Aural Approach for an Aural Art

Pardo-Olmos, M., Martí-Vilar, M., Hidalgo-Fuentes, S., & Cabedo-Peris, J. (2025). Interventions Through Music and Interpersonal Synchrony That Enhance Prosocial Behavior: A Systematic Review. European journal of investigation in health, psychology and education, 15(3), 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15030029

Wooten, V. (2025, April 9). Words of wisdom #14 “Music theory, do we need it” [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkgkZizb8d8

Rankine, David. (2023, October 16) CS Step 1 Techniques: Tips & Tricks [Video]. Feierabend Association for Music Education (feierabendmusic.org). https://vimeo.com/1184648293

Himelick, Andy. (2023, November 6). Conversational Solfege Steps 2–3–4 [Video]. Feierabend Association for Music Education (feierabendmusic.org). https://vimeo.com/1184648374

Greene, Betsy. (2024, April 14). Step 5 - Create: Top Three Tips for Success [Video]. Feierabend Association for Music Education (feierabendmusic.org). https://vimeo.com/1184648405

Andy Himelick. (2023, October 15). CS Reading Steps 6–7–8 Techniques [Video]. Feierabend Association for Music Education (feierabendmusic.org). https://vimeo.com/1184648374

For additional course information

Betsy Greene

(802) 373-0730

For additional registration information

Center for Schools Team

This course requires registration with educational partner Vermont Music Educators Association (VMEA) first using the Register Now! button below.