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
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.
In Orff Training – Movement Astonishes
Piver discusses the movement component in Orff teacher educations courses.
Sea Shanteys – a World of Possibilities
The author discusses how to teach sea shanteys, emphasizing how these work songs invite movement.
For the Classroom: Play-full Ideas for Teaching Beginning Recorder
Schafer offers playful suggestions for teaching beginning recorder in the classroom.
Notes on the Carl Orff Manuscript
Regner comments on an original manuscript given to AOSA by Frau Liselotte Orff in honor of it 25th anniversary.
Dance in the African American Tradition
The author gives historical perspective to the rich heritage of African American dance.
Street Games Remembered: New York City
Hamm shares childhood memories of playing singing games in New York City. She lived in an apartment and played in the street in her African American community.
Street Games: East Texas
Jackson recounts playing African American singing games as a child in Texas. The article includes examples that she shared with her students.
Learning from Each Other – ‘Step Chill’n’ Remember Bessie Jones
Payne discusses her experiences with a project in which the Georgia Sea Island Singers encouraged the children at her school to investigate the musical background of their family.
Connections with the Past… A Multi-Cultural Lesson in Progress
The author recounts her experiences teaching about her student’s cultures through songs.
Founders and Visionaries – Part Two: Elizabeth Nichols, William Wakeland, Candace Crawford
The article discusses the lives and careers of early, influential Orff teachers Elizabeth Nichols, William Wakeland, and Candace Crawford.
Focus on Research – Orff Schulwerk and Current Cognitive Psychology: How Researchers View the Developing Musical Mind
In this “Focus on Research” article, Brophy reviews the research on children’s musical growth.
Unusual Scales
Ruth Hamm discusses non-traditional musical scales.
Early Music and Orff Schulwerk: Some Notes on a Common Spirit
Plank writes about the compelling links between early music and the Schulwerk. He points out that early music was quite influential in Carl Orff’s work.
Remembering Pat Brown
AOSA members write about the influence of Pat Brown. Pat was an important early and much loved Orff teacher.
AOSA Founders and Visionaries
In this 25th anniversary year, founders and charter members of AOSA write about their thoughts on the Schulwerk. Writers include Arnold Burkhart, Martha Wampler, Isabel McNeill Carley, Ruth Pollock Hamm, Jacobeth Postl, Wilma Salzman, and Norman Goldberg.