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
A Mind at a Time/The Aims of Education
Two professional book reviews: Dr. Levine, an articulate child advocate, promotes wrapping teaching strategies and curriculum expectations around the needs of each child just as in OS. Philosopher, mathematician and intellectual, Whitehead speaks for the child, teacher and artist promoting the arts and its importance for every human being, affirming the language experience found in OS.
Harvest Home
Children’s Book Review: This lovely book of poems celebrating autumn and harvest is written in a call and response style that invites musical exploration.
Weaver’s Canon
A traditional three-part canon from the Scottish Outer Hebrides that mimics the sound of a loom.
The Soul of Education Helping Students Find Connection, Compassion and Character at School
Professional Development Book Review: A book of collected stories about human spirit teaching emotional literacy through meaning and purpose, joy, creativity, transcendence, and initiation.
Psychic Energy, Psychic Entropy and Psychic Ecstasy
Group work impacts feelings, productivity, oneness, ownership, and joy. This happens when making music is connected to problem solving and open-ended lessons as in an Orff Schulwerk teaching.
Canon Corner: Boat Round in Three for Third Grade
A Renaissance canon in three-parts with teaching suggestions by Tossi Aaron.
Training Therapeudic Musicians in Improvisation, Theory
Use Orff Schulwerk to train musicians who use their improvisational skills to help heal the body and comfort the spirit.
Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach: The Power of Dialogue in Educating Adults
Professional Development Book Review: An annotated list of principles including assessments, relationships, sequence, respect, team work, etc.
Orff Schulwerk as a Sacred Experience
Find your life force through teaching and experiencing Orff Schulwerk. Discover your artistic voice through the possibilitiesof authentic O-S.
Life Links: from body to mind and spirit
An annotated list of Orff Schulwerk connections for an integrated life through imitation, exploration, skill development, creation, reflection, play, empowerment, conceptual learning.
A Gift: Lois Birkenshaw-Fleming
Our Canadian friend and teacher’s history of her OS beginnings and journeys are expounded upon in this article. Lois Birkenshaw-Fleming is certainly a gift to us as is OS.
John Blacking for Teachers of Music To Children
A research study of British anthropologist discussing his findings for deep listening through knowledge of the culture. As discovered, music is evolutionary.
Orff Schulwerk For Senior Adults
A vision for serving senior adults in new ways.
Music in Early Childhood: Setting A Sturdy Stage
Discussion of the importance of child’s play, construct-knowledge, and social interactions in early childhood music education. Orff Schulwerk teachers balance child/teacher initiated musical activities/simple to complex experiences.
The K-12 Years: Building Musical Skills
Establishing the love of lifelong learning through OS is the goal of every music teacher. Pacing, respectful environment, effective discipline, motivational strategies, curriculum, learning styles, teacher delivery, and expectations are contributors.
Lighting the Lights
Mentors, composers, and musicians open doors to creative learning