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
Reflecting on Professional Growth
Reflecting on personal growth, the author details what it has looked like at multiple stages during his time as an Orff Schulwerk practitioner, as well as provides resources that are helpful for Orff practitioners who endeavor to reflect on professional growth.
What Does Orff Schulwerk Mean to You?
Explore the personal journey of self-reflexivity in the Orff Schulwerk approach. Discover how individual perspectives and life experiences shape this unique music education philosophy.
Creative Exploration: Improvisation and Composition with Primary Elementary Students
Explore how primary-age students engage in music composition using movement, instrumental expression, listening, iconic notation, and arts integration. Discover their creative growth and musical exploration.
What Makes a Good Teacher Great? – The Nature of Expertise in General Music Instruction
The aurhor illustrates what growth looks like for expert Orff Schulwerk teachers who continually reflect on their practices to enhance their craft. Her case study underscores the tenets of effective Orff practices, and she makes the case as to how these tenets align with teacher expertise in the Schulwerk.
Journey to Joy: Reflections of an Orff Schulwerk Teacher
An experienced educator shares memories of providing meaningful experiences in the classroom and quotes advice from mentors.
Keeping Spirit in Mind: The Experience of Flow in Orff Schulwerk
Csikszentmihalyi’s theory on “flow states” leads to parallels with classroom experiences occuring during Orff processes and pedagogy and in general music at large. Deeply engaging moments lead to fulfilling senses of accomplishment and enjoyment.
A Place for Play: A Review of Literature in Support of a Play-Based Currriculum
The author uses a review of literature on the developmental stages of play in infancy and childhood, including sensorimotor, social and cognitive development, to draw connections to the playful nature of the Orff Schulwerk process, advocating for its widespread use in early childhood and elementary music settings.
Dare to DAW
The author explores Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) and Orff Schulwerk. She explores how technology can be a tool for student collaboration, composition, and creativity, while helping students connect music from outside of school with classroom experiences.
Finding Joy in the Outdoor Classroom
The author shares why the outdoors setting is beneficial for students, including stress relief, attention restoration, and sparking curiosity. Early childhood and elementary school students will come to love learning amongst nature.
The Many Joys of Teaching and Learning in the Orff Philosophy
Schulwerk teachers as conduits and receivers of joy with students, in professional communities, playing with words, connection to nature and science, guiding children toward growth and mastery, teaching outdoors, aesthetics, performances, inter-generational connections.
Ten Ways to Hear Snow
Children’s Book Review: Picture book touches on culture, diversity, family, and perception.
Intersection Allies: We Make Room for All
Children’s Book Review: Picture book explores students’ lived experiences, and making world more equitable for all.
Sky Tree
Children’s Book Review: Picture book invites sound and movement exploration.
Lively Children’s Choir: Joyful, Playful, Dancing Incentives and Examples
Professional Development Book Review: Choral education resource showcases singing as a pillar of Orff Schulwerk media.
The Orff Echo Winter 2024
Access a full digital copy of the Winter 2024 issue of The Orff Echo, Vol. 56, No. 2.
Improvisation: The Pleasure of Survival
Author draws connections between improvisation in our daily lives and improvisation in the classroom.