Thanks for stopping by A Family Place. I enjoy working with families, and sharing the power of music with them. Kindermusik provides this outlet for me. This blog will allow me to share thoughts and ideas that can help families in their journey.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Orff with children



My last post was about Orff-Schulwerk and my training.  I enjoyed two weeks with other music teachers learning more about how to create arrangements for Orff instruments.  This past week I implemented what I learned as I led an Orffestrations camp for children.  This class met for 2 hours each day at Berry College, and included 11 children, ages 7 - 10.
 Most of these children have prior music experience:  Kindermusik, piano or children's choir at church.   We had a wonderful time making music together.  The children enjoyed being together, singing, moving, playing instruments, and were eager to do their best each day.  As I pondered our accomplishments during the week I came up with the following:

1.  cooperation - working together is an important part of making music & a life skill.

2.  listening & critiquing  - was it too loud? did we hear the singing? was it expressive? did we maintain a steady beat? what did we like?

3.  time & space - as we moved through the room we had to be aware of our friends so that we did not bump.   The same concept is needed in the grocery aisle with a buggy!

4. identifying patterns in music - rhythmic and melodic patterns were presented after singing, moving and playing them!  

5.  steady beat - pulse is most important!!

6.  parts - the children were able to layer up to 3 parts.  We did this in speech and playing instruments too.  The children could play a part on their instrument and sing at the same time.

7. vocal expression - we always wanted to use an interesting voice, as if we were telling a story.

Here is a video that will allow you a glimpse of our class.  I'll post another one later.

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