The study discusses the internationalization of the Kodály method of music education
in the 1960s, facilitated by Hungary’s engagement with UNESCO and the International
Society for Music Education (ISME). While Hungary was isolated during the Rákosi period,
the Kádár regime’s opening towards the West in the 1960s allowed Hungarian music educators
to actively participate in ISME’s international work. The study highlights that the
1964 ISME conference held in Budapest was a pivotal moment, providing an opportunity
for Hungarian music educators to showcase the practices and results of the Kodály-inspired
approach. The conference brought international recognition to Hungarian music education,
connected Hungarian teachers to global networks, and launched the Kodály method on
its worldwide trajectory. UNESCO’s support and the recognition gained at the ISME
conference were crucial in establishing the Kodály method as a globally recognized
and influential approach to music education.
