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
Can We Create with Folk Culture? Finding Our Feet in Orff Schulwerk
The forms of traditional folk music can become inspiration for creative, elemental children’s dances in the Orff Schulwerk classroom.
Where to Turn: Looking for Folk Dance Resources
Resource suggestions for teaching folk dances.
From the Classroom: First Steps to Folk Dancing
This article discusses steps that prepare preschool children for success with folk dance.
Making the Connection
The process of djemba drumming and its relationship to African culture.
Keeping the Spirit in Mind: The Experience of Flow in Orff Schulwerk
This article defines eight aspects of “flow” that lead to successful classroom music and movement experiences.
Knowing the Ear
There is a difference between hearing and listening. Listening exercises “muscles” of consciousness and attentiveness.
Anatomy of Sound
This magical trip explains how sound travels through our ear to our brain.
Nurturing the Child’s Body, Mind and Spirit Through Orff Schulwerk
Three master teachers offer reflections of Orff Schulwerk and its impact on children. Myths, fairy tales, stories, and musical concepts, combined with Orff process, give children opportunities for creativity and the meaning of life.
Reclaiming Our Children/A Healing Solution for a Nation in Crisis
Professional Development Book Review: Drugs, mass shootings, mental illness are taking a toll on society. This book advocates for taking a thoughtful look at the needs of children.
The Out-of Sync Child/Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Professional Development Book Review: The author lists symptomatic behaviors exhibited by children afflicted with various sensory integration challenges and strategies to cope with these at home and at school.
Musical Literacy: Product or Process?
This researcher has found that success in musical literacy is best facilitated by teachers who are open to children’s expressions and ideas before introduction of note reading.
From the Classroom: Chris’ Story
An account of a child who was healed in body and spirit through music.
Drumming to Build Community
Rhythms may be linked to earlier generations and evoke different states of being.
Musicians of the Sun: Anatomy of a Performance
The authors tell the story of their 2-year preparation of a performance at the AOSA national conference in Phoenix, that included over 500 student-musicians.
Crossing Boundaries
Keefe discusses the birth and evolution of San Francisco-based Zephyr, an Orff ensemble of seven Orff-trained teachers.
Demonstration Programs: Raising the Curtain on Your Music Classroom
Tracy writes about her music programs that are demonstrations for the parents . The programs show her students in a more realsitic musical experience than the traditional music program.