WAOSA

WAOSA is a professional organisation of music and movement educators dedicated to the creative teaching approach developed by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman in the 1950’s.  We provide professional development workshops for educators who believe that learning about music should be an active and joyful experience available to all children.  Through Orff Schulwerk, our children use their voices to speak and sing, and their bodies to move and dance as they joyously progress from musical imitation to improvisation and literacy.  All of these concepts encourage the development of the whole child.

WAOSA members receive continual development of best teacher practices and a community of support within elemental music education.  Participation in our workshops will inspire creative musical growth and develop professional friendships and networking opportunities.

We encourage you to contact us and begin a new musical journey for you and your students by becoming a member of WAOSA.

Orff Schulwerk

Carl Orff, a German composer well known for his cantata “Carmina Burana”, took a strong interest in exploring a creative process of music instruction that incorporated movement and dance.  His work with other musicians and dancers developed an approach to music and movement education which is now known as Orff Schulwerk.  Orff and his colleagues involved their students as collaborators in the creation of musical performances.  The four principal aspects of the Orff Schulwerk approach are imitation, exploration, improvisation and composition.

In an Orff Schulwerk classroom, children begin with what they do instinctively. Play!  Imitation, experimentation and personal expression occur naturally as students become confident, life-long musicians and creative problem solvers.  The Orff approach to teaching is a model for optimal learning in 21st Century classrooms.

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Gunild Keetman & Carl Orff