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
All the Pretty Little Horses
Children’s Book: Review: This picture book shares a traditional lullaby with roots in the rural south and African American culture provides opportunities for sociological/ historical discussions, and provides a context for students to compare their lives with the children in the lyrics.
Reclaiming Childhood
Professional Development Book Review: In a time of high stakes testing, this book reminds us of the importance of the irreplacable 100,000 hours of childhood.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After the Storm: Teaching Music after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Four music teachers discuss teaching their students on the Gulf Coast after two devastating hurricanes.
Portrait Series: Wilma Salzman
The story of one of AOSA’s founders, Wilma Salzman and her work with children and career as a writer and Orff pedagogue.
John Jacob Niles was Dean of American Balladeers
Nichols interviewed folk musician John Jacob Niles in 1979 and now publishes an article based on that interview.