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
Flip Books at an Exhibition: Integrating Animation and Orff Schulwerk
Creating and incorporating animation as a digital expression of movement in the Orff classroom.
Meaningful Movement: A Music Teacher’s Guide to Dalcroze Eurhythmics
Professional Development Book Review: David Frego and Marla Butke impart their practical, informative, and aesthetically satisfying concepts and techniques about teaching creative movement. Addresses the concepts of: focus, eurhythmics, expressive movement/plastique animée, and
rhythmic solfège.
Moon
Children’s Book Review: Bilingual rendition of a Korean folk song with CD accompaniment in both languages about a child talking to the ever-present moon which illuminates the mountain, her hometown, and family.
Exploring Cultures Through Singing
The author says that it is the task of the music educator to present different cultures in authentic settings. She points out that, while children are taught to sing in a light, children’s choir tone, it is possible also to teach singing that is authentic in other cultures
Promoting Culturally Responsive Musical Experiences in an Orff Schulwerk Setting
In this article, the author discusses how, through the study of language and culture, the students connected to Chinese music and became invested in their learning.
Last Stop on Market Street
Children’s Book Review: A picture book that describes a boy and his grandmother’s ride across town on a city bus, city sounds, and the diverse people they meet along the way to their destination.
One World: Building Bridges
The author discusses culturally responsive elemental music making through artist-in-residence programs and other ways of exposing students to cultures other than their own.
Multicultural Music Education: Through the Eyes of the Next Generation
The authors, all from Hawaii, believe that Orff Schulwerk may play a significant role in promoting and preserving authentic multicultural experiences in the 21st century classroom. They share a number of Asian-Pacific related activities that they have developed.
Effect of Singing Instruction on the Singing Voice of Children Ages 5-8
The purpose of this research was to determine if singing instruction improved children’s singing. The data showed that children sang significantly better after instruction than before.
Kodály Today: A Cognitive Approach to Elementary Music Education
Professional Book Review: This book is an all-in-one helpful resource for both novice and experienced educators who use any pedagogical approach to teach music to children in Grades K-5, with additional advice for older beginners in upper elementary or middle school.
Everybody Gets the Blues
Children’s Book Review: A lovely picture book to help children talk about sadness…and sing the blues away.
Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates: Using Orff Schulwerk With Summer Fine Arts Camps
Reflection on the challenges and rewards of applying the Orff approach to summer children’s camps with participants of varying age, ability, perseverance, and commitment.
Instrumental Directors Can Use Orff, Too
Strategies and benefits of incorporating Orff Schulwerk techniques into beginning band and orchestra classes.
The Museum
Children’s Book Review:This picture book takes us along with a little girl on her trip through an art museum where the illustrations represent famous artists and their works, and is a reminder that painters, poets, and musicians inspire each other.
Creative Drama in the Orff Schulwerk Classroom
The historical and creative importance of keeping drama alive in the Orff Schulwerk classroom.
The Piano Studio as Orff Schulwerk Makerspace
Techniques for bringing Orff Schulwerk creativity, improvisation, and exploration into the piano studio.