Certification Program

The course is taught through first-hand experiences in rhythmic speech, body percussion, singing, movement, folk dance, recorder and ensemble play on the Orff instrumentarium. Through engaging our own imaginations—exploring, inventing, improvising—we learn how to release our students’ innate creativity. Through intensive experience in group work, we come to understand the importance of fostering a cooperative spirit in the classroom. After being immersed in these activities, time for reflective discussion helps us make the transfer from experiencing the material to teaching it. The balance between exploring our own musicality and developing our skills as teachers is an essential feature of the training.

Level Courses are the primary means of Orff Schulwerk training in the United States, as set out in the guidelines of the American Orff Schulwerk Association. Teachers completing Level III are awarded an Orff Schulwerk Certification. Level I and II students will also receive a certificate acknowledging participation and number of course hours. Each of the levels gives nightly homework assignments and Level III includes a teaching practicum for students to demonstrate their understanding of Orff pedagogy.

LEVEL I (EDUX 9331)

July 24– August 4, 2023 • 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sofía López-Ibor, Andrea Donahoe, Christa Coogan, Eloi Fuguet

Initial development of the skills needed in application of the Schulwerk—rhythmic speech, singing, body percussion, playing Orff instruments and improvisation in all these categories. Arranging/composition using pentatonic scales and ostinato structures in common meters. Philosophical and pedagogical principles of Schulwerk teaching. Introduction to soprano recorder and its pedagogical role. Exploration of elemental, creative movement vocabulary and shared music and dance parameters.

Prerequisites

• Basic working knowledge of music notation.
• Intermediate level of English proficiency to engage in discussions and attend lectures.
• Prior Orff experience in workshops or conferences recommended.

Required Materials

Orff/Keetman Music for Children, Vol. I (Murray Ed.); Play, Sing & Dance: An Introduction to Orff Schulwerk, Doug Goodkin; soprano recorder; instruction book to be determined; manuscript paper.

Suggested Materials (optional)

Children’s poetry or nursery rhyme book; journal.

LEVEL II (EDUX 9332)

July 24– August 4, 2023 • 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
James Harding, Michael Chandler, Estêvão Marques, Eloi Fuguet

Continuation of skill development in all media. Arranging/ composition using major/minor scales and more advanced ostinato structures; exploration of diatonic modes and mixed meters. Focus on classroom applications, including mini-teaching experiences. Introduction to alto recorder. Further movement exploration, with accent on games, folk material, small group choreography.

Prerequisites

Level I in this program, or permission of instructor.

Required Materials

Orff/Keetman Music for Children, Vols. I, II and IV (Murray Ed.); The Elemental Style: A Handbook for Composers and Arrangers, Paul Cribari and Rick Layton; soprano and alto recorders; alto recorder instruction book to be determined; manuscript paper.

Suggested Materials (optional)

Children’s poetry or nursery rhyme book; American Volumes; journal.

LEVEL III (EDUX 9333)

July 24– August 4, 2023 • 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Doug Goodkin, Christa Coogan, Estêvão Marques, Eloi Fuguet

Continuation of skill development in all media. Review of the Schulwerk’s melodic/harmonic sequence and introduction to harmonic material. Arranging/composition using major/minor and other diatonic modes with appropriate ostinato and harmony-based accompaniments. Exploration of alternative tonal and rhythmic structures; group composition in longer forms. Recorder improvisation with all known scales and modes and consort experience. Further studies of dance vocabulary and technique and the use of these skills culminating in a collaborative whole group movement performance. A teaching practicum is required for certification.

Prerequisites

Level II in this program, or permission of instructor.

Required Materials

Orff/Keetman Music for Children, Vols. I, II, III, IV (Murray Ed.); Play, Sing & Dance: An Introduction to Orff Schulwerk, Doug Goodkin; Teach Like It’s Music: An Artful Approach to Education, Doug Goodkin; soprano and alto recorders.

Suggested Materials (optional)

The Schulwerk: Vol III–Carl Orff

EVENING ACTIVITIES

Evenings are a time for informal jam sessions, sharing of music from participant’s cultures, recorder consorts, homework groups and more. There are three required evening classes:

• Sunday, July 23rd- Opening Ceremony
• Tuesday, July 25th- Folk Dance
• Wednesday, August 2nd- UnTalent Show student performance
• Thursday, August 3rd- Levels sharing

Tuition Cost:
$1,320.00 (no credit) or $1,540.00 (4 continuing education credits)

To register, please click HERE.