Carl Orff’s reputation as a great German composer was well established with works such as Carmina Burana, but his collaboration with Gunild Keetman in creating “Music for Children’ may well be his enduring legacy. Orff based his approach to teaching on the premise that rhythm is expressed constantly in the speech and movements of every young child so music education should be developed through those mediums. Level 1 explores developing speech patterns that are then applied to melody and then transferred to instruments. Through layering of simple rhythmic and melodic patterns, children can immediately be creating elemental music in ensemble. The Orff-Schulwerk approach integrates music, movement, speech and drama making it applicable for educators from early childhood to movement and music educators at all levels.
What will you take back to your classroom?
- Music activities that match the stages of child development
- Poems, songs, dances, and games for immediate use in classroom instruction
- Resources for acquiring and creating your own teaching materials
- Ideas to help foster improvisation and creativity in students
- Lessons that meet the National Standards in Music
Costs
Course Fees
- $625
- $250 (Repeat Level I)
Individuals who have previously completed a level at USU may register to repeat that level at a special reduced rate. Contact the course director for details.
Credit
Participants may elect a credit option at additional cost:
- Continuing Education Units
- Regular Graduate Credit
- Utah State Board of Education Points (for licensed teachers)
Please direct all inquiries to leslie.timmons@usu.edu.
Required Materials
Books
All required and recommended books may be purchased from a retailer of your choice. For your convenience, we partner with West Music for a discounted price and free shipping to your home address.
Required
- Volume I - Music for Children, Margaret Murray Editions, Carl Orff/ Gunild Keetman. Schott Music, English Version
- Elementaria by Gunild Keetman, English Version
- Rhythmische Übung
- Good quality plastic resin soprano recorder, Baroque fingering
Recommended
- ONE pentatonic folk song book such as:150 American Folk Songs to Sing,
- Read and Play by Peter Erdei
- Just Five by Robert Lersey
- Sail Away by Eleanor Locke
- Sing it Yourself - 220 Pentatonic American Folk Songs by Louise Bradford
- Folk Songs North America Sings by Richard Johnson
- Book I for Adult Beginners – Sweet Pipes
- Creative Dance for All Ages - Anne Green Gilbert.
Optional Items
- Materials for music writing: 10 or 12 stave manuscript paper (or equivalent music software) Pencils, erasers, straight edge, 2 colored ‘hiliter’ markers.
- Laptop or device for accessing music notation software, electronic notes, readings.
- Collection of quality children's poetry (Nursery Rhymes, Heritage Rhymes, or Modern children's rhymes by authors such as Jack Pretlutsky, Dennis Lee or Shel Silverstein)
- Folding music stand
- Any instrument you play
- Binder for printed materials
Register
Registration is required. Space is limited so register early. Payment information will be sent upon receipt of registration form. Course registration opens January 1.
Since the beginning of time, children have not liked to study. They would much rather play, and if you have their interests at heart, you will let them learn while they play; they will find that what they have mastered is child's play.