About Orff Schulwerk

Composer Carl Orff and his colleague Gunild Keetman developed Orff Schulwerk as an active approach to teaching music and movement based on the natural inclination of children to play. Through movement, singing, rhythmic speech, body percussion, and playing instruments, children are guided to develop music-making skills in a joyful way. Orff teachers use songs, rhymes, games, and dances to explore music in the elemental style, introducing skills and concepts. Music and movement are often accompanied by body percussion, pitched and unpitched percussion, as well as recorders. Learn more at the American Orff Schulwerk Association (AOSA).

What Our Students Are Saying

"As an elementary music teacher I have found the Orff Schulverk approach invaluable to my teaching. Using this approach is how I make my music teaching engaging. I would not be the music teacher that I am today were it not for having taken Orff Schulverk Level I at Utah State University."

"I was first introduced to Orff Schulwerk through my sister, who had taken the levels courses and had begun to use what she learned in music classes. While I hardly understood her teaching process, I was drawn to this new way of experiencing music! Soon after, I took Level I. But it wasn't until I had finished all three levels courses that everything really began to make sense. Since, I have attended several local and national workshops and love the wonderful ideas and material shared. What I feel is most valuable, however, is observing the presenters' and how they have made the Orff Schulwerk process work for them. I am so grateful for the levels courses that have enabled me to see a more complete picture of this process, so that I can better understand how to more fully incorporate this process in my teaching."

"I have learned so much and I feel like my way of teaching will change for the better. I can't wait for school to start so can try everything."