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.
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Extensions to articles published in The Orff Echo can be found in the AOSA Resource Library.
List of Orff Echo Articles
Using American Folk-Heitage Folktales in Drama
AOSAs first President, Arnold Burkart, discusses his “talking points” for creating a musico-drama from a folktale.
The Composer Is Dead
Children’s Book Review: This picture book by Lemony Snicket describes a terrible crime that has been committed against classical music. Each one of the suspects is an orchestral instrument and the composer is ‘decomposing’ at his desk. Includes CD.
A Word in Play
Professional Development Book Review: The book, by Susan A. Katz and Judith Thomas, is about interdisciplinary arts education in which language, music, and movement are combined in ways that not only meet goals within each area but also move beyond them as well.
Dance
Children’s Book Review: For children of all ages, striking photographs of Bill T. Jones and poetic text introduce basic concepts of shape and form and inspire movement both physically and musically.
Learning from Digital Natives: Children’s Thoughts on Musical Video Gaming
The author discusses the popularity of music video games, especially Guitar Hero, among adolescent boys.
When Children Create Music Using Technology
Stauffer talks about children composing music using technology. She points that they get better at composing by composing.
From the Classroom: Teaching with an Electronic Smart Board
The author shares strategies to use an electronic smart board in the music classroom.
Interview: Conducting Business
Hetrick interviews conductor Alexander Adiarte, a full-time orchestral conductor in Stuttgart, Germany. He was an elementary student in the Twin Cities where his teacher, Jane Frazee, used the Orff approach.
The Singing Neanderthals: The Origins of Music, Language, Mind and Body
Professional Development Book Review: Mithen’s book brings together his own theory—whimsically termed Hmmmmm—that early human behavior was: Holistic, Manipulative, Multi-Modal, Musical, and Mimetic
Ellington Was Not a Street
Children’s Book Review: Poem and picture book illustrates African-American culture in Harlem mid-20th century as told by a young girl growing up surrounded by legendary jazz men.
The Harmonica
Children’s Book Review: This picture book was inspired by the life of a young Holocaust survivor and how the harmonica helped him navigate and survive life in a concentration camp during World War II.
Aquinaldos
Professional Development Book Review: A collection of Christmas songs from the Spanish-speaking countries of South America, Central America, the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and New Mexico with information on geography, history, culture, food, and holiday traditions. A resource to share with all ages.
Music Technology as a Servant to Real Music Experience
The author states that technology is not “the point” in the music classroom. When music is “the point,” technology can enhance musical understanding.
Carl Orff and Technology
Carl Orff was steeped in historical art music and the tragedies of the ancient Greeks. In his work, however, he embraced the modern technology of his time, including as a means to promote the Schulwerk.
It was a Very Good Year
Stover presents a timeline of inventions, innovations, and educational technology. She starts with the invention of paper in 105 AD.
Pause and Consider: Electronic Technology and Orff Schulwerk
Goodkin cautions against over-using technology in the music classroom. He asks teachers to consider if the use of technology is worth the time spent when children could be making music.