Orff Schulwerk I, II, & III

Orff Schulwerk: Levels I, II, & III

Orff Schulwerk is a philosophy of music education, which is based on the work of German composer and music educator Carl Orff and his colleague, Gunild Keetman. During this course, students will explore music through singing, moving, playing unpitched and pitched percussion instruments and recorder, and improvising. Level I students will be introduced to basic Orff techniques, including a study of pentatonic melodies, drone accompaniment, ostinato and elemental forms. Level II students will be introduced to hexatonic and modal melodies, drone and chord accompaniments, and changing meters. Level III students will begin with a review of the diatonic modes, followed by a study of functional harmony. 100% attendance is expected of students who participate in this certification course.

Instructors for the camp include Michael Chandler, Paul Cribari, Paul Hallsted, Meg Tietz and Michael Vasquez.

  • Dates: June 15-26
  • Times: Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except:
    • Friday, June 19: No class*
    • Saturday, June 20: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
  • Noncredit Cost: $1,000**
  • Graduate Credit Cost: Participants wishing to receive 3 hours of graduate credit for this course may do so for an additional $1,500.
    • Do not include this payment with the $1,000 workshop fee. Once you have indicated your desire to take the workshop for college credit in the workshop registration process, look for instructions that will be included in your workshop registration confirmation email. Pay the $1,500 graduate credit fee separately to SMU through the university credit registration system.
  • Housing: There is no on-campus housing available for Orff Schulwerk this summer.
  • Required Materials: A list of materials will be sent to you prior to the workshop and will be available to order through a link to West Music Company.

*In observance of the Juneteenth holiday, classes will not be held on Friday, June 19. The hours of instruction missed will be made up on the morning of Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
**Inquire about a discount for schools sending 10 or more participants.

PREREQUISITES

Level I is a prerequisite for Level II. Level II is a prerequisite for Level III. A bachelor’s degree in music or a strong background in music theory is required for this class. Participants must be able to read and write music notation proficiently in order to take this course.

Please note, this certification course is approved by the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) and follows the guidelines of AOSA. There will be nightly assignments as part of the course requirements. Please allow a minimum of two hours each evening to complete your assignments. In addition, 100% attendance is required to earn credit and to move on to subsequent levels of training. Extenuating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis. Due to the intensive nature of this program, participants are strongly encouraged to avoid scheduling additional activities during the course.

REGISTER HERE

ORFF SCHULWERK FACULTY

Michael Chandler, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Music Education at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, where he is also the director of the Clarksville Children's Chorus. Chandler taught elementary general music to children in Texas public schools for 16 years, mostly in Lewisville ISD, where he was named "Teacher of the Year" at two elementary campuses. In 2013, 2007, and 2005, his student ensembles performed by invitation at the annual Texas MEA Convention in San Antonio. Chandler has presented conference sessions, courses, and workshops in 38 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Australia. He teaches in Orff courses at SMU, the University of Memphis and the San Francisco International Orff Course. He is a past-president of the North Texas Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association and served a three-year term as a Regional Representative on the AOSA National Board of Trustees. Chandler was a collaborative pianist for the Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas for 10 years and has guest conducted children's choirs and ensembles in Texas, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia. He is the author of Everyday Recorder, Recorder Everyday!, an Orff Schulwerk approach to integrating recorder into the general music classroom. His publications have been featured in Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, The Orff Echo, Southwestern Musician, and Orff-Schulwerk International.

Paul Cribari, D.M.A., is the Director of Electives for the Cherry Creek School District in Colorado. Cribari received his M.A. with a concentration in Orff Schulwerk from the University of St. Thomas and his doctorate in Music Education from Boston University. In addition to his work with children, Cribari teaches levels I, II, and III of Orff Schulwerk at SMU and Metropolitan State University of Denver. Cribari is a regular clinician for local chapters of AOSA and has presented sessions at state and local conferences, as well as numerous national conferences of AOSA. Internationally, he has taught in Italy and Hong Kong. Cribari, along with co-author Richard Layton, have two publications: THE ELEMENTAL STYLE: A Handbook for Composers and Arrangers, Parts 1 and 2.

Paul Hallsted currently serves as the Fine Arts Content Specialist for Las Cruces Public Schools in Las Cruces, NM. With over four decades of experience as a music educator, he has taught students at every level—from preschool through university. Since 1990, he has been a regular instructor in Orff Schulwerk Certification courses across the United States, contributing to the professional development of music educators nationwide. Hallsted is also an active choral clinician and conductor, frequently leading elementary and middle school honor choirs throughout the country. He is a past-president of NMAOSA and has served AOSA as a Trustee on the National Board as well as various subcommittees.

Meg Tietz teaches K-5 movement and music at Saint Paul Academy in Saint Paul, MN. She is an active presenter for local and national workshops and conferences and also teaches summer Orff Levels in Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, and Saint Paul, MN. Tietz has served the American Orff Schulwerk association as a member of various subcommittees and as a Trustee on the National Board.

Michael Vasquez teaches Pre-K to grade 5 music at Reed Elementary in San Antonio, TX. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Texas at San Antonio and received his Orff training at Trinity University. Vasquez is the co-author of the Purposeful Pathways supplemental book, "Percussive Play." He is a spotlight award recipient with the American Center for Elemental Music and Movement and is an active clinician, who presents sessions on Orff process and elemental movement. He has been named an HEB Educator of Excellence Nominee and a 2023 Grammy Semi-Finalist for music education.

For further information about SMU Music Educators Workshops, or to register for one of these classes, visit: https://gradadmission.smu.edu/portal/SummerMusicEdWorkshops or contact Director Dr. Julie Scott at muedworkshops@smu.edu.