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
Movement in Small Spaces
A variety of ideas are outlined for listen and move activities that can be done in crowded classrooms and small spaces.
Basic Dance Forms
Approaches to choreography using basic dance forms are described; starting points such as form, floor patterns, melodic motives blend set and created patterns lead to unique choreographies.
Teaching Folk Dance: Interviews with a Few of AOSA’s Experts
Interviews with three folk dance teachers explore philosophies and methodologies of teaching folk dance.
From the Classroom: Deedle Deedle Dumpling, My Son John
A rhythmic game involving singing while moving illustrates ways children develop first steps toward developing musical skill and independence through movement.
Traveling the Rivers: Music of the Voyageurs in the Midwest
A portrait of the French Canandian voyageur’s life on the river reveals a strong singing tradition; several popular folk songs are included.
Focus on Research: The Effect of Movement-Based Instruction on the Melodic Perception of Primary-Age General Music Students
Discussion draws upon research literature that reinforces movement as an invaluable medium for conceptual/perceptual music learning and features an experimental study of third-grade students’ perceptions of melody resulting from movement-based instruction.
Roots Entwined: Orff Schulwerk and the German Modern Dance
Historical account of the the roots of German modern dance, the birth of the Günthershule, and contributions of Rudolf Laban, and Jaques-Dalcroze, and Mary Wigman. Archival photographs are included.
The Task at Hand: Creative Movement
Tapping into Orff Schulwerk’s elemental movement principles and practices, the author describes several starting points for incorporating creative movement in music lessons every day.
Achieving Teacher Growth – Together
Like their students, teachers thrive in supportive environments. This article shares ways teachers can collaborate to support professional growth.
A Medieval Masterpiece: An Interdisciplinary Partnership
Boswell describes a project for fifth grade students that brought together a team of teachers.
Teams at Work: Partnerships for Children
This article focuses on team building and fostering collaboration among children.
Arts and Education: A Partnership Alliance
Ahlstedt discusses projects that grew out of a partnership between professional artists and a public school district.
From the Classroom: It’s a Small World Afterall
Students in Missouri and Japan have united for ten years through the sister city program to share content and performance videos.
Focus on Research – Children, Computers, Composition: A Research Collaboration
An observational study of children using computers as tools for composition.
Restoring the Arts to Public Schools: Innovative Partnerships
The author writes about his experience with a partnership formed between a private school foundation and the public sector.
Where Two Worlds Meet
A partnership between a university instructor and a classroom teacher serves as a model for teacher training.