Orff Schulwerk Certification
Level I
Overview
Level I is largely experiential – a time in which the class as an ensemble comes together exploring, developing skills, creating, and analyzing music and movement activities. Elemental Music is approached through hands-on experiences, lively discussions, and solid musical models which help develop both skills and concepts and provide tools for creating your own active music-making curriculum. Prompt, daily attendance is expected. Please do not schedule appointments or other commitments during this time – successful completion is based on required contact hours. As an ensemble experience, your fellow participants depend on you.
Dates: July 17-28, 2023 (two weeks)
Times: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Instructors: Joyce Stephansky, Shoshanah Drake, John Barnes, Victoria Redfearn Cave
Location: Mason Fairfax Campus, Performing Arts Building
On-Campus Housing: See Details
Parking: More Info Here
Registration Deadline: June 15, 2023
Sample Daily Schedule
- An opening warm-up: songs, canons or movement at 8:30 sharp!
- Two class periods in basic pedagogy and elemental music theory – 3.5 hours total.
- A recorder class including playing techniques, literature, and pedagogy as well as music and movement application – 75 minutes.
- A class in movement including development of vocabulary and skills, pedagogy as well as musical applications – 75 minutes.
- In addition, there will be four special topic sessions throughout the course in which all three Levels come together for musical and movement experiences.
- And… of course breaks for travel, refreshment and lunch!
Assignments
Assignments will be given on most days and will be based on activities experienced during the classes. They will consist of writing/composing rhythmic or melodic examples that could typically be used with your students. In addition, there will be reading assignments geared to a better understanding of Orff Schulwerk ideas, models and concepts. You will be expected to work on recorder skills and develop pedagogical ideas in both recorder and movement classes. Class Notes: Participants will receive class notes for each area of study – both in hard copy and/or electronically as the course progresses.
Materials
Orff Required & Recommended Book List
Important materials to have for assignments and note taking: standard music notation paper, pencils/pens, colored highlighters, tape, straight-edge, post-its, a 3-ring binder for notes.
You may want to use music writing computer software for your assignments such as Sibelius or Finale.
You may also want to have an individual flash drive for notes and materials generated in class.
Other Suggestions
- Hand drums – due to shortages, we are asking that those who have access to hand drums to please bring them. Please put your name or your school’s name on any drums that you bring.
- A barred instrument from your school is handy to have at home to try out your orchestration assignments.
- Nursery rhymes, children’s poetry, picture and storybooks will be helpful.
- You may want to use/bring music writing computer software for your assignments such as Sibelius or Finale.
Credit and Non-Credit Enrollment: Assignments and Requirements
Whether you are taking the course for credit or non-credit, you are eligible for Certification in Orff Schulwerk after the successful completion of Level III. Certification is awarded by George Mason University and the American Orff Schulwerk Association. The Certification Program is designed as an ensemble experience therefore active and full participation is expected from everyone so that the pedagogy can be fully experienced. Those who have enrolled in the class for credit have opted to take a graduate-level course and will be asked to complete some extra assignments which will fulfill those requirements, as well as help, prepare them for final exams if they are pursuing the Master in Music program with an emphasis in Orff Schulwerk. Those assignments may consist of additional written responses to reading assignments and/or separate completion of curriculum design.
Please Note: For-credit courses/programs are not approved for VA Education Benefits. For questions related to VA benefits for these courses/programs, please reach out to Katie Fox-Heim at veterans@gmu.edu for additional information before registering.
Requirements
- Students are expected to purchase required materials prior to course.
Registration
For-Credit Registration Instructions:
- For-credit registrations are managed by Mason’s Continuing and Professional Education office.
- Click the “Register for Credit” button to register.
- On the right side of the page, you will see the details of the course including dates, times, and course fees. Click the green “Add to Cart” button.
- Doublecheck the in-state or out-of-state fee selection and then “Checkout” at the top of the page. This will then prompt you to make an account through the online portal. Please choose “I am a new user or I have an inquiry” and enter your email address and “Create Account.”
- Please fill out all data required and then “Continue Checkout.”
- You will then be prompted to complete your payment option.
- Once payment is received, you will get an enrollment and payment receipt.
Non-Credit: $898
Please note: If you are registering for NON-CREDIT and are paying by check, please contact the Academy for options.
For-Credit: $1,698 In-State/$2,019 Out-of-State
Attention: For-Credit registrations are not eligible for VA Education Benefits. Contact veterans@gmu.edu for additional information before registering.
Notes
- Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding withdrawals, refunds, and more for summer programs.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least 1 week before the program starts with all necessary details including drop off, pick up, what to bring, etc. Feel free to contact the Academy office with questions at academy@gmu.edu.
- Non-credit option: A tuition refund minus a $50 cancelation fee will be given provided that notice is received by the Mason Community Arts Academy no later than 2 weeks before the program start date. No refunds will be granted after this date without valid medical documentation.
- For-credit option: A tuition refund minus a $125 cancelation fee will be given provided that notice is received by the Mason Community Arts Academy no later than 1 week before the program start date. No refunds will be granted after this date.
- Housing: No refunds for on-campus housing will be given after June 1.
Covid Safety Information
- Mason Community Arts Academy follows all safety protocols required by George Mason University. Visit our COVID Safety Guidelines for more information.
- Mask & PPE Requirements—Masks are optional, but strongly recommended, for students and faculty in all programming. *See University Policy on Face Coverings for full details.
- George Mason Offers Covid Vaccine Appointments
