The Orff Echo is the national, peer-reviewed quarterly journal and philosophical voice of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. Our mission is to demonstrate the value of Orff Schulwerk and promote its widespread use; to support the professional development of our members; and to inspire and advocate for the creative potential of all learners. Non-members may contact the editor for information.
Interested in writing for The Orff Echo? Check out how to get involved in the process:
Extensions to articles published in The Orff Echo can be found in the AOSA Resource Library.
List of Orff Echo Articles
Leave it to the Experts: Finding Yourself in Creative Spaces You Never Imagined through Project-Based Learning
Through project-based learning and the Schulwerk, a teacher builds a creative collaborative community in the classroom where students are centered as the experts.
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
Children’s Book Review: Picture book features traditional fry bread as central to Native American history, family, and community.
We Are Grateful
Children’s Book Review: Picture book is a celebration of Cherokee community and way of life.
Music and Music Ed in People’s Lives: An Oxford Handbook of Music Education, Volume 1
Professional Development Book Review: Presents music education overview spanning several research topics pertinent to music practitioners, scholars, students, policy makers, administrators.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Professional Development Book Review: Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, founder and medical director, Trauma Center in Brookline, MA synthesizes 30+ years of research.
In Search of Music in American Cultures: Extending the Pursuit of Who We Musically Are
Provides a blueprint for conducting ethnographic research in the United States with seven guidelines for doing so and a brief background on American regional musics.
Jazz, Joy, and Justice: New Directions in Orff Schulwerk
Discusses the role “White Supremacy” has played in determining the music deemed “most appropriate” for use in teaching and challenges us to be more intentional about the musical selections we choose– specifically including jazz in the Schulwerk.
Untold Stories of Black Americans: Changing the Narrative
Shares some personal stories on life as a Black American and provides children’s books and pathways for creating new musical experiences based on these untold African American stories and encourages teachers to find their own stories in their community.
The Evolution of the Memphis Approach
A brief history of the Memphis Orff course as well as Orff in Memphis public schools. Highlights differences in the “historical” vs. “folk” approaches to OS, and encourages us to remember the roots of the Schulwerk and its emphasis on using the music of the people you are teaching.
Using Ozark Play Parties and Rhymes in the Schulwerk
The author discusses the use of Play Parties in the Orff-inspired classroom. She also discusses the work of important Ozark folk music collector, Vance Randolph.
Adapting Orff Schulwerk in Diverse Settings with Flexibility, Humor, and Heart
The author talks about her own expereiences teaching a diverse student population.
The Year We Learned to Fly
Children’s Book Review: Picture book teaches children strength and resilience by using their minds to imagine a better world.
On the Road With Comenius and Orff
Provides overview of music education and Orff in the Czech Republic and importance of philosopher Komensky (Comenius). Authors discuss overlaps between Comenius’s philosophy and that of Orff; describes two lesson plans.
An Elemental Approach Toward K-pop Music and Culture
An overview of K-pop music and practical applications for the classroom.
Orff Research Webliography
Details the history of the AOSA webliography—research exclusively on the Orff approach. Accessed through the AOSA Resource Library.
The Sound of Silence
Children’s Book Review: Follows young child on a search for ma in Tokyo, Japan.