Orff Schulwerk Concentration

The Master of Arts degree with an Orff Schulwerk concentration features a broad range of theoretical courses balanced by requirements that apply to the general music teacher's work with students of all ages using Orff Schulwerk. In the Orff approach, teachers create an environment in which children become active, creative participants in their musical education. They experience music through movement, song, speech, and instrument playing, which prepares them for music reading and writing. Independent musicianship is developed through a teaching process that includes imitation, exploration, improvisation, composition, and literacy.

In this program, students will:

• sharpen performance skills necessary for achieving artistic ensembles;
• gain insights into historical and contemporary Orff ensemble literature through analytical study and orchestration;
• improve musical competency;
• broaden understanding of music history, theory, and literature;
• examine pedagogical uses of Orff media to teach music concepts, develop musical ideas and skills, and facilitate ensemble performance with children of all ages and ability levels;
• discover new applications for existing expertise;
• experience and explore strategies for developing successful improvisation and composition experiences; and
• articulate ways in which Orff Schulwerk serves the common goals of the music education profession.

Orff Core courses

Students are required to take the following 16 semester credits and write a thesis.

GMUS 601 Teaching and Learning (3 cr.)

Offered every summer, Monday and Wednesday evenings, and fall Saturdays in even years.

GMUS 608 Foundations of Music Education (3 cr.)

Offered every spring and fall as an on-line course.

GMUS 611 Perspectives in Music Theory (3 cr.)

Offered every summer, Monday and Wednesday evenings, and fall on Saturdays in odd years.

GMUS 612 Topics in Music History, Literature and Theory (3 cr.)

Offered every summer, Monday and Wednesday evenings, and spring on Saturdays in odd years.

GMUS 750 Musicianship and Ensemble (1 cr.)

Offered every summer, mornings during the last two weeks in June.

GMUS 875 Introduction to Thesis Writing (3 cr.)

Offered every summer, Monday and Wednesday evenings, and every fall on Saturdays.

GMUS 876 Directed Research (0 cr.)

To be scheduled with thesis adviser.

GMUS 890 Thesis (1 cr.)

To be scheduled with thesis supervisor. 

Orff Field of Concentration Core Courses

Students take 11 required credits in the Orff Schulwerk field of concentration and 5 elective credits. Through the required concentration courses, students expand and refine the information needed to successfully use the Orff Schulwerk approach with children of all ages. Elective courses offer students opportunities to further define and hone the breadth and depth of their expertise.

Required Orff Courses (11 cr.)

GMUS 731 Orff Schulwerk I (3 cr.)

Offered every summer.

GMUS 732 Orff Schulwerk II (3 cr.)

Offered every summer.

GMUS 733 Orff Schulwerk III (3 cr.)

Offered every summer.

GMUS 735 Curriculum Development (2 cr.)

Offered every summer in the week prior to GMUS 731, 732, 733.
Prerequisite: GMUS 731.

Recommended Orff Electives (5 cr.)

GMUS 517 Developing the Child Voice in the Classroom (2 cr.)

Offered even summers.

GMUS 532 Orff Master Class (2 cr.)

Offered every summer.

GMUS 651 Dalcroze (3 cr.)

Offered every summer.

GMUS 671 African Music Ensemble (2 cr.)

Offered every summer and evenings during spring and fall semesters.

GMUS 725 Beginning Choral Conducting (2 cr.)

Offered select summers.

GMUS 751 Kodály Materials, Analysis, and Retrieval Systems I (1 cr.)

Offered every summer.

GMUS 752 Kodály Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Instructional Techniques I (1 cr.)

Offered every summer.

GMUS 765 American Folk Music (3 cr.)

Offered select summers.