American Orff-Schulwerk Association - Music and Movement Education

Through the eyes of Administrators-
The Value of Orff Schulwerk

Dianne Johnson

During my first year as an elementary music teacher I was introduced and drawn to the Orff Schulwerk Approach. Shortly thereafter I began to pursue certification, ultimately receiving Masters Level Certification. I can personally testify to the positive benefits of this approach as I have experienced it firsthand.

The Orff Schulwerk Approach is unique in that it encompasses the total child. Children are guided to experience music through speech, singing, movement, playing instruments, listening and creating…activities that are enjoyable and natural in childhood play. These positive experiences are sequential and provide the opportunity for immediate success. Yet, as children progress, the skill level increases in rigor allowing students to master the content standards which lead to the ultimate goal of Musical Literacy (reading and understanding).

As a Music Supervisor and Director of Arts Education, I strongly support and encourage all of our elementary music teachers in their efforts to receive Orff Certification. The benefits are well worth the commitment.

Dianne Johnson
Director of Arts Education
Jefferson County School System
Birmingham, Alabama

photo of Candy Howard

Candy Howard

"Using the Orff Schulwerk teaching approach is a vital component in helping to create a well-rounded child who is successful academically as well as in the arts. Incorporating the music and movement not only helps students learn to create, understand and enjoy their musical experiences, it also helps them to form new synapses in the brain. When both sides of the brain are engaged—such as in dance and playing instruments—learning is stimulated and internalized at a much deeper level. Combining the musical and academic experiences helps to strengthen abilities in all subject areas, and fosters a lifelong love of music and the arts."

Candy Howard, Principal
South Belt Elementary
Pasadena Independent School District
Houston, TX

photo of Dr. Rosalyn Spivey

Dr. Rosalyn D. Spivey

"The AOSA Conference in Birmingham could be a model for conferences for other disciplines. I was so impressed with the AOSA Conference because participants were able to learn on so many different levels. Opportunities to sing, dance, clap and make music kept everyone involved whether they were a novice or the most accomplished music instructor in the room. Participants were able to continue the learning by using the wonderful resources that included websites and lesson outlines to be available for use after the conference. Thank you for including me in such a valuable event!"

Dr. Rosalyn D. Spivey, Assistant Principal
Vestavia Hills Elementary at Liberty Park
Vestavia Hills, Alabama

William B. Stroud, Ed.D

"The sixteen years that I served as an elementary principal provided me with many positive and lasting memories. Among the most rewarding was the good fortune to spend fifteen years in schools where students had a music program utilizing Orff Schulwerk. The benefits of this approach wereimmediately evident whenever I would walk into a music class regardless of the grade level. The students were actively engaged and could demonstrate they understood the concepts being taught. This was also true when the instruments were used to deepen the students’ understanding of the concepts being taught in Social Studies and other subjects. Students labeled as discipline problems, when engaged in Orff Schulwerk activities led by a trained caring teacher, were frequently transformed into the stars of school performances with renewed feelings of efficacy. A conference (National School Boards Association) which I recently attended featured the author Daniel Pink whose book, A Whole New Mind, describes preparing students for their future and not our past. In his book and presentation he describes the need to develop the left side of the brain as continuing to be necessary but not sufficient for the challenges of the future. The degree to which the right side of the brain is developed as a complement to the development of the left side will have a major impact on whether students will have the creativity needed to compete in a global economy and address future social issues. In his presentation he described how 50% of the incoming freshmen at Georgia Tech have strong music backgrounds. While it may not be possible to provide all students with a vocal or instrumental music background that prepares them for recitals, it is possible to provide them with an approach to music instruction that is engaging. The Orff Schulwerk approach to music instruction is engaging and has the potential to stimulate the development of student creativity and unlock a broad range of possibilities."

William B. Stroud, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor, Interim Co-Director Educational Leadership Program
St. John Fisher College
Rochester, New York

photo of Douglas Wilson

Douglas Wilson

"A common result of public school education is a loss of creative thought. Orff Schulwerk encourages students to be creative and engages them in the creative process. Through Orff Schulwerk, creative thought is cultivated and honored. My dream is to move the creative thought from music to art, and into movement in physical education. The Orff Schulwerk philosophy can be the basis for creative writing, scientific thought, and math problem solving."

Douglas Wilson, Principal
Carolyn S. Reedom Elementary School
Clark County School District, Las Vegas, NV.

Allan Lehmann

" It would be difficult to imagine Washington Charter School without its award winning, highly respected music program, led by our teacher who is trained in the Orff Schulwerk approach.Our students are actively making music by playing instruments, singing, and moving. During music classes, students work cooperatively and learn the importance of valuing and respecting their classmates. Our music program incorporates what is being learned in the classroom as well. For many students, learning through song, poem, rhyme, or movement makes learning real and brings mastery to difficult subject matter. Withhands-on experience, playing a variety of pitched and unpitched instruments, our students experience success and the desire to continue their study of music in years to come. They are inquisitive, critical thinkers because of our Orff program. I am convinced that music education based on the Orff Schulwerk approach, has contributed to the academic success of our school."

Allan Lehmann, Principal
Washington Charter School
Palm Desert, California 92260

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The American Orff-Schulwerk Association is a professional organization of educators dedicated to the creative music and movement approach developed by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman.
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.

Administrator Statements