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
The First Four Are The Amazing Musical Years
Exposure to the musical elements in early childhood is the catalyst for successful music making on a personal and professional level.
Using a Conceptual Approach to Dance Education
The author describes how she helps students to experience the communal nature of dance, as well as its ability to show meaning and emotion through movement.
International Voices, an Introduction
Hetrick briefly describes Orff’s interest in sharing his educational work internationally, beginning in 1953. He later celebrated the worldwide appeal of the Schulwerk with over 40 associations, and its elemental spirit that connects us.
Sentuhan: The 27th ISME World Conference Spreads Universal, Healing Touch of Music
AOSA Past President Judith Cole describes her trip to the International Society for Music Education conference in Malaysia in 2006 where Orff Schulwerk sessions were offered for the first time. A panel discussion “Carl Orff’s Sentuhan: The Schulwerk in the Lives of the World’s Children” looks at ways the Schulwerk has inspired children in over 40 countries.
My Triangular Orff-Schulwerk Journey through Ghana, Salzburg, and the United States
Ethnomusicologist Kofi Gbolonyo describes his musical journey from Dzodze, an Ewe town in Ghana to his Orff experiences in Salzburg and the U.S. He discusses the many ways Orff Schulwerk and his traditional training intersect and posits that Orff’s ideas are universal, applicable to all cultures.
Confessions of an Itinerant Orff Teacher
Goodkin reflects on his international Orff teaching – as a teacher, a guest, and colleague – and the ways the Schulwerk inspires participants to “experience new corners of the human imagination.”
Serving a Worldwide Community: Orff Institute, Orff-Schulwerk Forum, Orff Symposia
Haselbach explains the history of the Orff Institute and the Orff-Schulwerk Forum, both founded by Carl Orff and dedicated to international study, research and exchange. In addition the Special Course and the Interntational Symposia in Salzburg continue the sharing of ideas worldwide.
Orff-Schulwerk on Five Continents
Maschat discusses many critical considerations in establishing Orff -Schulwerk Associations around the world and the challenge of providing aesthetic music education.
Translated, Adapted Editions of Children Spread the Schulwerk Internationally
The author describes the origins of the 5 volume Music Fur Kinder and the history of the subsequent international editions. These include books, recordings and films using both translated materials and native pieces.
The International Body Percussion Project Performed in Salzburg
Body percussion groups from Austria, Turkey, Finland, Spain and the U.S. perform in the first International Body Percussion Project directed by Keith Terry at the Seventh International Orff-Schulwerk Symposium in Salzburg 2006.
Fiddle-I-Fee
Children’s book Review: Picture book version of the familiar folk song with illustrations showing animals joyfully playing their instruments on the farm…and a new twist at the end.
International Scrapbook
Erion and Hetrick present a sampling from a collection of information, photos and music from Orff Associations worldwide. The complete Scrapbook was originally available on the AOSA website.
Teaching in an Inner-city School in Little Rock, Arkansas
How does a refined, conservatory-trained music teacher connect with inner-city teenagers? Headley tells of her successes.
A Private Orff Studio Serves the Home-school Community
Oklahoman, Suzi Lenhart, writes about her successes with a private Orff Studio aimed at home-schooled students.
Leading Without Power: Finding Hope by Serving Community
Professional Development Book Review: Cole calls this book, by Max De Pree, a “concise and readable book about a person who practiced servant leadership in the corporate world for over 45 years.”
Leaf Man
Children’s Book Review: This beautiful book is an invitation to dance with a text that begs for musical interpretation…and begs you to go outside to celebrate the changing colors in your neighborhood.