The Orff Schulwerk Certification Program at Mason has been offering all three Levels of K-8 music teacher training for over 30 years. The summer is a time to refresh and rejuvenate, and taking an Orff course will open up a world of new colleagues, provide great music to bring back to your students, and teach the skills in which to process, arrange, and compose pieces for the classroom!
Directed by Mason School of Music Professor and Orff specialist Joyce Stephansky, the Certification program runs for two weeks, July 16-27, and boasts a high level faculty, including Matt McCoy, Betsy Kipperman, Shoshanah Drake, John Crandall and Victoria Redfearn Cave. (Read More)
“Our typical day in an Orff Level class is broken into three parts: basic pedagogy, movement, and recorder,” explained Ms. Stephansky. “Several times throughout the two week course, participants from all three Levels get together to dance, and sing, and have a lot of fun! At the end of the two weeks, we celebrate with a luncheon and a final sharing presented to family and friends, where each Level performs a few pieces and stories that they have been working on throughout the course.”
At the end of the final sharing, those participants who have successfully completed Level III that summer are awarded their official Orff Certification, presented through the American Orff Schulwerk Association (AOSA).
“My favorite part of the Orff levels are the connection that I feel with the participants and faculty at Mason,” said Ms. Stephansky. “New participants are brought into the fold each year to this unique generational music group – it’s inspiring and comforting.”
Orff Schulwerk teaches participants how to approach teaching organically, from the smallest steps to the largest forms. This process approach is modeled throughout the levels and becomes dynamic when brought back to their classroom. Participants have the opportunity to improvise, arrange and compose, while reinforcing how to bring joy and creation to their own students.
“I can honestly say that Orff Schulwerk kept me in the music education profession,” confessed Ms. Stephansky. “After three years of teaching in a very needy school, I was burnt out and degraded. I knew if I did not change something in my teaching, I would not likely last another year. Luckily, I attended a local Mid-Atlantic Orff Chapter workshop, and I realized that was the kind of teacher I wanted to be. The next summer, I was registered for Level. I never regretted my decision, and I never looked back!”
Prior to the two-week Levels courses, Mason also presents a collection of one-week Supplemental courses, July 9-13. Jim Solomon returns with his amazing percussion class, and new for this summer is a technology course taught by Manju Durairaj, aimed to help with the ever growing technology requirements that are expected of teachers, plus several other exciting options.
For music teachers looking to reimagine their classroom approach, refresh their teaching perspective, and “upgrade” their credentials, Orff at Mason is the place to be this summer!
On-campus housing is also available for this program!
GET DETAILS AND REGISTER TODAY!