American Orff-Schulwerk Association

NOTHING COULD BE FINER THAN TO BE IN CAROLINA...

Thank You Charlotte Team!

What a grand time we had at the 2008 AOSA Conference in Charlotte – Patschwerk of Possibilities!

All told, about 1800 happy participants (including Industry Members, Conference Workers and Registered Attendees) were treated to Southern hospitality and the finest Schulwerk offerings in the world.

The opening session featured David Holt and children under the direction of Kathy Pause, Aimee Pfitzner and LiYing Noell, and set the stage for a rollicking good time throughout the three days. Every experience was of the highest caliber and the children’s performances again kept the focus on the main reason most people attend this particular conference – IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN. The Carolina Forest Elementary School Taiko Drum Ensemble under the direction of Tim Peterman anchored the business meeting on Friday morning. According to myth, taiko drumming has the power to bring joy, expel anger and bring light into the world. True to legend the students electrified the audience.
Read on for reflections from other special guests:

"I wanted to send you a quick “thank you” note for sharing such a wonderful 2008 American Orff Schulwerk Association (ASOA) conference with our Charlotte community. I felt so honored to be with you and proud to be a very small part of the great work that you are doing across the nation…It is with deep appreciation that I thank each of you for your support of music education, a focus on children, and a commitment to fostering creativity and self-expression."
Mark Propst
Performing Arts Specialist
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

"This was my first conference and it was a fabulous experience. I was so pleased to be there. I spend my time working w/ drum circle facilitators and the sensibilities and sense of mission seem very akin to those of Orff practitioners. It was a complete pleasure…………I hope you felt it was a successful conference; everyone I spoke to did!"
John Fitzgerald
Manager, Recreational Music Activities
Remo Inc.

"Once again I want to give my warmest thanks for your hospitality! The conference was really well organized and it was a pure pleasure to attend! All the events, workshops, people and emotions have been spinning in my head all the way back to Helsinki. When arriving I felt both exhausted and happy…………It is cold and dark here, but the rhythm sun keeps shining on my mind."
Elina Kivelä-Taskinen
Helsinki, Finland

Thank you Diane, Jessie, Noreen and Jane. Your personal commitment to the AOSA 2008 Conference in Charlotte is a testament to the possibility that Orff Schulwerk presents. From the opening session to the banquet, no detail was left to chance. It lived and breathed and pulsated with the energy of the Orff Schulwerk community in the Carolinas.Thank you Local Conference Committee Chairs and Workers. The conference reflected the pride and ownership of a team, a community effort to bring the best possible offering for conference attendees – food for the soul and the mind; challenge to leave the comfort zone; beauty to inspire. On behalf of the membership of AOSA I extend our deepest gratitude and compliment you on a superb conference.

Jo Ella Hug,
AOSA President