The Dog Song, Orffestrations

In our Orffestrations camp (ages 8 - 11) this summer we did a version of Bow, Wow, Wow. There was a lot of listening & discussion of what instruments to use, and how to arrange the parts of the song. The video is the finished product.

Orff class, Senjua

Cannon, Parker, Renee, Kenzi, Mallory & Natalie pose before their performance.

Carl Orff was a German composer, best known for Carmina Burana. He also developed a system called Orff Schulwerk. It is a way to teach and learn music specifically designed for children.

It is based on things children like to do: sing, chant rhymes, clap, dance, and keep a beat on anything near at hand. These instincts are directed into learning music by hearing and making music first, then reading and writing it later. This is the same way we all learned our language.

Orff Schulwerk uses poems, rhymes, games, songs, and dances as examples and basic materials. These may be traditional or original. Spoken or sung, they may be accompanied by clapping and stamping or by drums, sticks, and bells. The special Orff melody instruments include wooden xylophones and metal glockenspiels that offer good sound immediately. Played together as in a small orchestra, their use helps children become sensitive listeners and considerate participants.

Senjua is an African welcome song that the children developed a movement sequence. Part of the Orff experience is for the children to create and contribute, therefore not so teacher driven.

It was a great week with a fun group of kids. I hope to see them all again next summer.

Music for 7 - 10 year olds!

Orffestrations - it's not listed in a brochure for the summer 2010 classes, but if your child is ages 7 - 10 they can enroll in this special music experience. No prior experience is necessary, but a love of music is required.

What is Orffestrations? It is a music and movement class that takes songs and "orffestrates" them using various instruments. We use drums, barred instruments (xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels), woods, metals and an occasional recorder.

What will my child gain from this camp? Ensemble skills (needed for band & chorus), listening skills (needed in life!), rhythmic & melodic reading, and creativity. All this while making music with friends!

You can check here to see an example from last year's class.

How do you enroll? Email me at knobles@berry.edu and I'll give you the address where you can mail your payment. The cost is $70. (Pay by May 1 and deduct $5)
Orffestrations is offered June 14 - 18 from 10 - noon. Class will meet in the Kindermusik room on the Berry College campus.

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.

What is Orff?

I am taking my level 2 Orff-Schulwerk Certification. I drive to Cobb County every day for two weeks, and meet with over 50 other music educators. It is the highlight of my summer! Why? Because the classes stretch me, and encourage me as a musician, teacher and person. But what is it? Here is a synopsis:

Orff Schulwerk is a "philosophy" of teaching music. It is not a method. It is a way of teaching the entire child, the cognitive as well as the affective domains.

1. Movement is always first.

2. Body percussion. (snap, pat, pat, and stamp)

3. Rhythm instruments and recorders.

4. Pitched percussion instruments are added and integrated into what we know today as Orff Schulwerk.

5. Improvisation and composition are included in an Orff class.

Orff (named for Carl Orff) Schulwerk (German for School work) takes teachers and students into deeper levels of teaching and learning. Going beyond knowledge and comprehension, students apply their knowledge, often independent of the teacher, through composition and improvisation.

Being exposed to this type of learning, and then applying this new information to my teaching is exhilarting. Helping children express themselves through music and movement is why I continue my education through Orff classes.

There is an Orffestrations class for children ages 7 - 10, at Berry College. The class meets June 22 - 26, and there is still space available!