The American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) is honored to announce that Vivian Murray Caputo has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Service Award, the organization’s highest honor. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to music education and the Orff Schulwerk movement.
Vivian Murray Caputo’s impact on music education spans more than 46 years of dedicated service to AOSA and countless educators and students across the nation. Her commitment to excellence and her embodiment of the Orff Schulwerk philosophy have made her a beloved and respected leader in the music education community.
From her early teaching days in Memphis, Tennessee, Vivian has been a driving force in the Orff Schulwerk movement. She has taught Certification Levels courses from Level 1 through Level 3 at various colleges and universities throughout the country, training hundreds of teachers who have gone on to influence countless children. Her programs have been distinguished by their creativity, innovation, and the advanced skills and joy her students demonstrate in performance.
Vivian’s unique gifts in orchestration and jazz have inspired the creative potential of teachers fortunate enough to study with her. Her orchestrations have been widely shared and utilized by AOSA members through chapter workshops and national conferences, becoming valued resources for music educators nationwide. Her natural integration of America’s original music, jazz, into her teaching has been particularly notable and has influenced generations of educators.
Throughout her distinguished career, Vivian has served AOSA in numerous leadership capacities. She served on the Board of Trustees as a Regional Representative from 1994 to 1998, providing invaluable guidance and vision during a pivotal time for the organization. In 2000, she co-chaired the International Orff Symposium in Rochester, New York, alongside Dr. Carolee Stewart, bringing together educators from around the world. Five years later, she co-chaired the 2005 National Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, with Shirley McRae, and subsequently served as Conference Committee Chair during 2006-2007.
Vivian has presented numerous chapter workshops across the country and sessions at many national conferences, sharing her expertise in pedagogy, recorder, movement, and her signature work with jazz and diverse musical styles. Her conference session videos have become models for teaching and are frequently recommended by teacher educators as exemplary demonstrations of the Orff Schulwerk approach.
Colleagues describe Vivian as compassionate and caring when working with students, genuinely enjoying their creative contributions to the Schulwerk. Her love of teaching is evident in the enthusiastic evaluations from students who appreciate her excitement for the Schulwerk and the way she lights up when speaking about music education. Her integrity is tremendous, and her musicianship outstanding. As a talented singer who continues to perform professionally, Vivian brings versatility to her teaching across all aspects of music education. Her experience as a singer, musician, composer, and music educator is well-known throughout the nation.
Vivian’s Orff training began in Memphis, where she studied with distinguished educators including Nancy Ferguson, Shirley McRae, Konnie Saliba, and Jos Wuytack. Her reputation as a fabulous and well-respected Orff Teacher Educator has been recognized for several decades, with her name frequently arising in music teacher conversations across the country. Her sensitivity to elemental arrangements and compositions at all levels of learning and through diverse musical styles is both logical and artistic with exceptional taste.
Vivian’s support of AOSA extends far beyond her years of membership and service. When considering the hundreds of teachers she has trained and the countless children they have influenced in turn, her impact will be felt for decades to come. Her high integrity and grace epitomize AOSA’s mission of acceptance and inclusion, making her the true embodiment of the Orff Schulwerk movement and teaching philosophy. She is known and loved by all who have worked with her and been taught by her, representing the very best of what it means to be an Orff educator.
Now residing in Florida with her renowned drummer husband, Gregory Caputo, Vivian continues to inspire music educators with her dedication to fine musicianship and her model as a gracious, uplifting educator.
The American Orff-Schulwerk Association congratulates Vivian Murray Caputo on this well-deserved recognition and thanks her for her extraordinary contributions to music education and the Orff Schulwerk community.