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
Weaving Literacy Strands Through Orff Process
A clear aid for classroom teachers using OS with materials and activities taught with dual purposes, stressing process rather than product improving literacy skills.
Orff, the Arts and the Civil War
An integrated approach using Orff process that explains the benefits of doing so. Musical skills and academic knowledge improve and are retained when using an arts-centered curriculum.
I Can Do It!
Empowering future elementary educators through Orff. OS teachers can impact pre-service classroom teachers by positive experience in music-making greatly increasing their value of using music in their classrooms.
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.
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.
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
Building Music Learning Communities: The Adult Years
Learning the differences between adults and children, and what they want out of meaningful musical experiences, can provide opportunities for lifelong learning. Establishing musical goals through respect and low risk can bring positive results as in OS classes.
In the Mood
Coffee, conversation, and calories pave the way to successful music classes for adults.
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.