With Tamás Kéméndi, accordion, Endre Balogh, turkish pipe, Judit Fischer, soprano, Tibor Sarkany, accordion
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Hungarian Cultural Center

KFME hosted a fall gathering at the newly opened Hungarian Cultural Center in Newark on the last day in August. What a pleasure to walk into a room with white tablecloths and chair covers lit by candles at twelve round tables! Champagne was offered on entry as well as hors d'oeuvres to accompany the concert hour.

Our headliner was the fantastic Hungarian accordion player, Tamás Kéméndi, whose musicality brought his instrument to new artistic heights. With varied repertoire from folk and classical sources, and lightning speed in his right hand, Kéméndi held the audience in awe for the first hour of the gathering. He was ably joined by Endre Balogh on Turkish pipe, Tibor Sarkany on accordion and Judit Fischer, soprano, on alternate numbers, giving the program variety and an opportunity to hear local musicians with the visiting master of the accordion. As an encore, Judit, who also serves on the KFME board, sang Kodály’s Esti Dal, well known to many of the listeners and beautifully performed.

Then we all shared a traditional Hungarian meal–gulyas (cooked by the multi-talented accordionist, Tibor Sarkany, in the biggest cauldron ever!) served with parsley and sour cream along with a side of robust bread. Thank you to all who planned and executed this wonderful event and thank you to all who attended. We look forward to seeing you at future events!

Please enjoy the photos below, taken by Gergely Nadas.

- Nancy Linford
Member-at-Large, KFME

DIFFERENTIATION IN THE ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE 

Join us for a presentation by the Young Musicians Chorus (YMC), led by Kodály Center alumna Betsy Marvit. Betsy will demonstrate how she implements Kodály’s concepts in a “one-room schoolhouse” setting with two of YMC’s ensembles: A Musicum(ages 7-12) and B Musicum (ages 11-17). The audience will witness pedagogical sequencing using tools such as hand signs, rhythm names, inner hearing and body movement, all of which aid in fuller comprehension of musical concepts and artistic, expressive singing.

Following the presentation, violinist Noa Josephine Marvit, will give a brief performance. Inspired by their mother, Noa took interest in music pedagogy in addition to her instrument. Noa studied at the Kodály Institute in Kecskemét and took courses at the Kodáy Summer Institute at Holy Names University. They will share her educational experiences hoping to encourage young musicians to pursue a career in music education. 

See master teacher Lydia Mills work with students from Melrose Academy (Oakland, CA) followed by a choral demonstration by Karyn Silva featuring "Ensemble" of the Peninsula Girls Chorus on November 9, 2024.

Saturday, November 9, 2024
10:00am – 11:45am

Piedmont Center for the Arts
801 Magnolia Avenue
Piedmont, CA 94610

Join us afterwards for a receptionwith the presenters and their students!

Suggested donation: general $20/student $10

The Kodály Foundation for Music Education’s 3rd Birthday Celebration will feature Ensemble, Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, led by Eric Tuan (Artistic Director), and a recital of comic songs featuring soprano Kate Offer (HNU Kodály Center alumna) and Eric Howe (HNU former faculty).

Our first annual KFME Named Scholarship Benefit Auction will contain unique items donated from Gail Needleman’s family.

The Kodaly Foundation for Music Education returns to Piedmont Center for the Arts for a very special event supporting music education. A reception will follow the concert. View the program here.

The Kodály Foundation for Music Education is turning 2 and invites you to celebrate with us! The program will feature Ancora, Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir; Kodály voice and piano repertoire by Ágnes Vojtkó and Elizabeth Loparits; and Eszterlánc Hungarian Folk Ensemble. Connect with others interested in supporting Kodály’s vision for quality music education for all. Refreshments and folk dancing will follow the program. Your generous donation is appreciated at the event (cash, check, or credit card) or online at www.kodalyfoundation.org. RSVP to info@kodalyfoundation.org with number of guests by March 17. Masks and proof of vaccination are required.

Jessica Suandrianna will perform works by Grieg, Brahms, Schubert, Debussy, De Greeve, and fellow Indonesian Ananda Sukarlan in her Bay Area debut.

Jessica Suandrianna will perform works by Grieg, Brahms, Schubert, Debussy, De Greeve, and fellow Indonesian Ananda Sukarlan in her Bay Area debut.

Jessica. Suandrianna will perform works by Grieg, Brahms, Schubert, Debussy, De Greeve, and fellow Indonesian Ananda Sukarlan in her Bay Area debut.