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
The Ostinato in the Classroom: Classic Examples
Carley discusses ostinati in the Orff Schulwerk Music for Children volumes by Orff and Keetman.
The Ostinato: In the Schulwerk, in the World Beyond
Shamrock points out the importance of the ostinato in music and gives simple examples from Western art music and world music traditions.
Ostinato: Words
The author discusses spoken ostinati, giving suggestions for how to best use them in teaching children.
Ostinato in Motion
Salmon talks about the importance of movement ostinati and gives teaching suggestions.
Ostinati and Riffs- Classroom Connections
Neill talks about riffs (ostinati) in jazz and popular music.
Focus on Research: Stalking the Wildflowers with Multiple Lenses
Gray presents some of the research literature on whole language and draws parallels with the Schulwerk.
A Salute to Tossi
Postl discusses the contributions of Tossi Aaron to AOSA and Orff Schulwerk in the United States.
Alaskan Athapaskan Indians: Children, Music, Culture
Sarrazin received a Gunild Keetman Assistance Fund Grant from AOSA to study the use of children’s music of Alaska’s indigenous Athapaskan culture. She reports on her findings and gives suggestions for teaching the music and the culture.
Dance Definition and Falling Walls
Kennedy talks about the slow evolution away from Eurocentric ballet and modern dance.
Focus on Research, Stalking the Wildflower with Multiple Lenses, Exhibit Two: Early Childhood Play Research
In this “Focus on Research” article, the author discusses the research literature on the play of young children and links it to the Schulwerk.
The Wilder Shores of Music
In this reprint from 1992 in the Orff Times, a British publication, Stewart discusses the BBC Sound Archives, a repository of music from throughout the world.
The Schulwerk and Music Therapy
In 1964, Carl Orff spoke about the use of the Schulwerk for those with physical handicaps, especially the hearing impaired.
Todd’s Story
Owen tells the story son Todd, born prematurely and with significant challenges, responds to music.
Sing a Song for the Sick and Tense…
The authors write about the need for the use of music in health care.
Dance in the African-American Tradition, Part Two: The Twentieth Century
Thompson discusses the evolution of black popular dance from 1913 through the late twentieth century.
Focus on Research, Stalking the Wildflower with Multiple Lenses, Exhibit One: Playground and Chant Research
Harwood discusses the research on children’s playground singing games and chants. She calls for more research on the topic in the African American and Hispanic cultures.