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
Music, Education, and Diversity: Bridging Cultures and Communities
Professional Book Review: This book is a gem sparkling with wisdom for teachers who want to create communities in which music cultivates cultural understanding. The author advocates for teachers to plan curriculum that expands beyondvgreat European classical traditions to include
sounds and processes of diverse cultures.
21st Century Orff Schulwerk: A Sustainable Approach to Music Education
Educational frameworks presented for general classroom teachers can be valuable and fit seamlessly into Orff Schulwerk process. Universal Design for Learning, Teaching for Understanding, Understanding by Design, 21st Century Education, and the Teaching Tolerance Anti-Bias Framework are examined with music-specific examples provided.
The Role of Popular Music in the Schulwerk
A discussion of how the characteristics and philosophy of Orff Schulwerk align with typical popular music education. Ideas for bringing pop music into the classrooms in positive and engaging ways are offered.
Banana Trees in Minnesota
Culturally relevant instruction occurs through the adaptation, not imitation, of materials. This article illustrates why the wildflower concept works well across diverse classroom contexts.
Integrating Steel Drums With the Orff Schulwerk Approach
Innovative instructional strategies for teaching steel drums to elementary school-aged learners.
Music Training Fosters Development in children With Specific Learning Disorders
Literature review on the effect of music and Orff process on students with learning disabilities that impair reading skills.
Orff Schulwerk, Informal Music Learning, and Creativity: A Mixed Methods Study
A mixed method survey about Orff teachers’ perspectives on the intersections of Orff Schulwerk, Informal Music Learning, and creativity. Results indicate that Orff Schulwerk teacher practices easily align with Informal Music Learning to promote creativity in students, although teachers would benefit from further exposure to this approach.
Little Loksi
Children’s Book Review: This children’s book, based on a story from the Chickasaw Nation, follows the problematic journey of a young turtle and how his diverse community gathered to offer him assistance. Included are the Chickasaw names for each animal with a glossary and pronunciation guide to help children correctly pronounce the language of this indigenous American tribe.
One Minute till Bedtime
Children’s Book Review: Anthology of witty, thought provoking, and just plain silly poems that, though intended for bedtime, are certain to inspire students to sing, say, dance, and play
Composing With Older Students: A Case for Songwriting with Ukulele Accompaniment
While not explicitly mentioned in primary Orff Schulwerk resources, teaching song-writing can be of value in an Orff Schulwerk classroom. One tool helpful in teaching song-writing is the ukulele, an accessible instrument that can have a valuable place in the general music classroom.
Creative Risk: Teachers First
Inspired by experiences in the Orff Institute special course, the author urges teachers to be adult learners and embrace intuition, creative movement, and improvisation as opportunities for self-discovery.
One Hundred Hungry Ants
Children’s Book Review: Students might act out the story, add an expanded song as the ants march, join in on longer portions of the rhymes, or improvise the rhymes on instruments.
Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!
Children’s Book Review: Candace Fleming, with onomatopoeia and entertaining word play, relays another hare raising adventure.
Music Education and Social Emotional Learning: The Heart of Teaching Music
Professional Book Review: Scott Edgar and contributors Jacqueline Kelly-McHale and Jared Rawlings address the importance and role of SEL within kindergarten through Grade 12 school music education settings.
Ambassadorship and the Schulwerk
A discussion of how interactive learning experiences, informances, and honors Orff ensembles help advocate for the Schulwerk.
The Orff-Orchestra Partnership: Continued Orff Innovation in the Home of the Blues
A grant-based collaboration between the Memphis Symphony and the Shelby County School District elementary Orff students to perform with a professional orchestra and creates a valuable Professional Learning Community for teachers.