2024 Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education Course - Level I & III

July 15-26, 2024 • 8:30-4:30 p.m. • 130 Westbrook Music Building

Clinicians:  Karen Benson, Kristine Wolfe, & Shelly Smith.

Most music educators recognize the importance of offering active and engaging learning experiences to their students. Orff Schulwerk is a child-centered approach that relies on rhythmic speech, physical movement, and musical play to actively involve students in educational music experiences. This approach uses poems, rhymes, games, songs, and dances - all of which are natural and enjoyable to children - as springboards to learning. The cultivation of imagination and creativity is an important goal of Orff Schulwerk.

Level I of Orff Schulwerk training provides an introduction to Orff teaching techniques, as well as an understanding of the pedagogical processes of the Orff Schulwerk approach. Participants build a collection of immediately usable classroom materials and instructional strategies. Musical content emphasizes pentatonic folk songs, speech-based rhythm performance on pitched and nonpitched percussion instruments, structured and creative body movement, solo and ensemble playing on soprano recorder, and improvisation experiences (in music and movement).

Upon successful completion of the course, participants are awarded a certificate endorsing their achievement in accordance with the guidelines of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA). Participants also may choose to earn 3 hours of graduate college credit by additionally enrolling in MUED 893: Workshop seminar: Orff Schulwerk I.

Instructors



Karen Benson

Karen Benson is the Professional Development Director for the American Orff Schulwerk Association. She is a Past President and former National Conference Chair of AOSA. Recently retired, Karen taught music for grades PreK-5 for 29 years in the Millard Public School District in Omaha, Nebraska. She also directed the school’s choir and the district’s Orff Schulwerk Honors Ensemble. Her work as a performing musician includes playing recorders, saxophone, and singing as a member of Sing Omaha’s Master Chorale. Karen teaches in several AOSA Teacher Education Levels Courses, teaches Masterclasses in Orff Schulwerk, presents at AOSA chapter workshops, guest lectures for collegiate music education classes, and leads sessions at national and state conferences.

Kristine Wolfe

Kristine Wolfe has been teaching PreK-6 Music & Band in the Papillion - La Vista (NE) Community Schools for over 20 years. She holds a BM from Iowa State University and a MM from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Kristine has presented at the AOSA National Conference and at workshops throughout the United States. She currently serves on the AOSA Fund Development Subcommittee and is the Program Chair for the Great Plains Orff Chapter.

Shelly Smith

Shelly Smith has over fifteen years of teaching experience with Millard Public Schools in Omaha and Lake Havasu City, Arizona. She has also directed children's choirs at churches in Lincoln and Omaha. She previously served on the faculty of UNL where she taught music education courses and supervised student teachers. Shelly has presented at numerous state and local workshops in addition to the 2002 AOSA National Conference.

Program & Schedule

During the two weeks of July 15 - 26, 2024, the courses run Monday through Friday, beginning each day at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m. In the course, participants attend classes in Orff Schulwerk pedagogy, movement, recorder, and special topics. The scheduled time includes morning and afternoon breaks and an hour for lunch.


Cost

The cost is $550. If participants want to receive graduate credit hours through UNL , they must additionally register for MUED 893 through UNL and will be aassessed University tuition and fees.

Registration

To register click the following link ORFF SUMMER REGISTRATION

Housing

On-campus housing is available during the two weeks of the course. For more specific information about the accommodations, contact Guest Housing within UNL Conference Services at conferenceservices@unl.edu or (800) 809-8681

There are also several hotels within walking distance of the campus.


Parking

A Downtown Lincoln parking garage, Que Place Garage, is located a block from the course site. A UNL visitor parking pass can be purchased from UNL Parking Service, parking.unl.edu, phone 402-472-1800, email unlpts@unl.edu.