The Collaborative Effort of Zoltán Kodály and His Students in the Development of the Kodály Concept

Abstract

The Kodály Concept is known as a highly respected approach to music education, having had a great influence on the development of music education methodologies in many countries. Zoltán Kodály (1882–1967) was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, philosopher, and educator who achieved a high level of recognition and respect during his lifetime. The development of this methodology has been attributed to him when, in fact, its creation was the result of the collaboration between Kodály and several of his students, including Jenő Ádám (1896–1982), Lajos Bárdos (1899–1986), Gyula Kertész (1900–1967), György Kerényi (1902–1986), Erzsébet Szőnyi (1924–2019), and Katalin Forrai (1926–2004). Despite the political turmoil of this time (1914–1989), Kodály and his students were able to establish a very effective music education system for the entire Hungarian population. Not only was Kodály held in high regard by the people of his country, but he also had the respect of the communist party that ruled Hungary. Although he never became a communist, he managed to use the government to achieve his goals for music education. Had they won the Revolution of 1956, when the Hungarian people tried to overthrow Soviet rule of their country, many people believe Kodály would have been elected president.