SJSU Orff Levels 1, 2 and 3
SJSU Orff Course Levels 1,2 & 3
July 10 - 21, 2023
SJSU School of Music and Dance is thrilled to offer Orff Course Levels 1,2 and 3, which are the three-levels in the Orff Certification process through the American Orff Schulwerk Association (AOSA). Each course is a two-week intensive training (one level completed per summer) and will immerse visual and performing arts educators in the world of Orff Schulwerk, a multi-faceted pedagogy that focuses on essential elements of music, dance, art, and drama.
What is Orff Schulwerk?
Founded by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman, the Orff Schulwerk approach uses elemental music and movement to build upon the child's world of play with the purpose of fostering creativity, conveying musical knowledge, and cultivating musicianship through speech, singing, movement, body percussion, improvisation, and the playing of pitched (Orff xylophones, metallophones, recorders) and unpitched (drums, shakers, bells) instruments. While exploring the elements of music and movement in a collaborative group setting, students and teachers experience a varied repertoire of music and dances from different cultures, styles, and time periods. Through the Orff Schulwerk approach, participants will explore, create, improvise, and compose using this vast array of media to reach learners of all ages and abilities.
Course Schedule - July 10 to July 23
Note: This course will run in conjunction with the 2-week Three-Summer Masters residency.
Week 1 & 2 (M-F) - 9:00am to 5:00pm
Level 1 Instructors
- Tiffany Unarce Barry (Basic)
- Michael Vasquez (Movement)
- Natasha Thurmon (Recorder)
Level 1 Course Description: Through daily lessons and activities, participants will engage and develop skills in the basic principles of the Orff Schulwerk approach. Introduction to the following concepts: arranging and composing pieces via ostinati and pentatonic scales, exploring and developing creative movement vocabulary/technique, and the use of soprano recorder as an instrument and instructional tool in the musical classroom. Written homework will be assigned nightly to help participants reflect and synthesize material.
Level 1 Prerequisites: BA in Music or Equivalent
Level 1 Required Materials: TBD
Level 1 Suggested Materials: Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended for this course as participants will be dancing and moving on a daily basis. Comfortable black clothing for the final course sharing.
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Level 2 Instructors:
- Sally Sandoval (Basic)
- Michael Vasquez (Movement)
- Natasha Thurmon (Recorder)
Level 2 Course Description: Participants will continue to engage and develop skills in the principles of the Orff Schulwerk approach. Introduction of the following concepts: arranging and composing pieces via modal scales, developing deeper creative movement vocabulary/technique using uneven steps and asymmetrical meters in dance, and the use of both soprano and alto recorders as instruments and instructional tools in the musical classroom. Written homework will be assigned nightly to help participants reflect and synthesize material.
Level 2 Prerequisites: Successful completion of Level 1 at an AOSA-approved levels course.
Level 2 Required Materials: TBD
Level 2 Suggested Materials: Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended for this course as participants will be dancing and moving on a daily basis. Comfortable black clothing for the final course sharing.
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Level 3 Instructors:
Chris Judah-Lauder (Basic)
Michael Vasquez (Movement)
Natasha Thurmon (Recorder)
Level 3 Course Description: Participants will continue to engage and develop skills in the principles of the Orff Schulwerk approach. Introduction of the following concepts: arranging and composing pieces via polymeters and functional harmony, further developing deeper creative movement vocabulary/technique using uneven steps and asymmetrical meters in dance, and the use of both soprano and alto recorders (and additional consort sizes) as instruments and instructional tools in the musical classroom. Written homework will be assigned nightly to help participants reflect and synthesize material.
Level 3 Prerequisites: Successful completion of Level 1 & 2 at an AOSA-approved levels course.
Level 3 Required Materials: TBD
Level 3 Suggested Materials: Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended for this course as participants will be dancing and moving on a daily basis. Comfortable black clothing for the final course sharing.
Travel and Accommodations: San Jose State University is located in the heart of downtown San Jose, with Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) just 15-minutes away from campus. There are many options for accommodations including the use of the campus dorm rooms (http://www.housing.sjsu.edu/conferenceservices/), and various surrounding hotels and Airbnbs.
For more information on the course, contact:
Tiffany Unarce Barry, Course Director
COST: $50 non-refundable application fee (due at time of registration) + $1000 course tuition fee (due by June 1st) = $1050 TOTAL. This amount is for the course itself and does not include travel, room and board, food, required text/materials, etc.
Up to (3) graduate credits will also be available through SJSU’s Open University. More information to come after registration.
Online registration is now OPEN! Please click on the following link below to register and pay your fees (credit card payments only, no purchase orders available).
https://commerce.cashnet.com/MUS7
