Courses
Introduction to Orff Schulwerk
August 8-12, 2023
Level I – Orff Schulwerk Certification Program
August 14-25, 2023
Level II – Orff Schulwerk Certification Program
August 14-25, 2023
Level III – Orff Schulwerk Certification Program
August 14-25, 2023
GENERAL INFORMATION
Based on the ideas of Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman, Orff Schulwerk has taken root around the world, inspiring teachers globally. This child-centered approach to music and movement education encourages creativity and play, where the enjoyment of group music making, improvisation, and composition are the focus. Using speech, movement, singing, and child-accessible instruments Orff Schulwerk advocates teaching that relies on the creativity, imagination and musicianship of the teacher.
Orff Teacher Education is available through workshops, Introductory Courses, Level Courses, and Post Level III Courses. Understanding and implementing the Orff philosophy of creative education is a lifetime pursuit, requiring the experience of teaching children while taking the courses to understand and implement the ideas.
The BC Orff Chapter is committed to providing these opportunities for teachers.
ORFF SCHULWERK TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Registration is OPEN! Download VCC Registration instructions here: VCC 2023 Intro/Levels Registration
Contact Pam Hetrick levels@bcorff.ca with any questions
The Introductory Course is highly recommended for everyone interested in an in-depth understanding of Orff Schulwerk. In the one-week program students are introduced to the Orff philosophy of music and movement, and experience many tools for implementing these ideas. Students will be able to take the inspiration from this course into their classroom, preparing them for the Certified Levels Courses. There is no prerequisite for this course. We welcome all people that are keen to understand the concepts of using music and dance creatively.
Certified Levels Courses are the primary way to receive in-depth training in Orff Schulwerk in Canada, following the guidelines of Carl Orff Canada. They are offered in two-week sessions during the summer, usually running from 8:30 – 5, Monday through Friday. Each Level includes 3 hours of Basic Orff instruction, 1 1/2 hours of Movement, 1 hour of Recorder and 1 hour of Special Topics daily. Please refer to categories under “Courses” for content specific to each Level.
Summer 2023 will introduce Carl Orff Canada’s newly revised Level II and III
Courses. If you have taken Level II before 2022 you may take the “new Level II” to complete Level III for your Orff certification. Because the Basic Orff content
significantly overlaps in the “new Level II” and the “old Level III” it is possible to
combine the two. Supplementary experiences for Level III students will enable the
emphasis on leadership and pedagogy. (This will not require any additional hours
for Level III students, but scheduled times when Level II and III students meet
separately.) Please contact Course Director Pam Hetrick if you have any
questions.
Orff Level Courses are available every summer at Vancouver Community College.
For Summer 2023, the courses will be at the VCC Broadway Campus, 1155 E
Broadway, next to the VCC-Clark SkyTrain Station. Each Level (I, II, and III) is 4
credits and accepted by the Teacher Qualification Service. Introduction to Orff
Schulwerk is a non-credit course.
It is expected that students will take at least a year between each Level in order to begin to absorb and implement training through their teaching during the year. After successful completion of Levels I, II, and III teachers are awarded Orff Schulwerk Certification.
These Courses are endorsed by Carl Orff Canada.
Student comments from past Level Training Courses at VCC:
This course has literally blown me away; I have had a whole paradigm shift in how to approach my teaching.
This course has come nothing short of revolutionizing my approach to music and children.
The goals I set were exceeded by day two in this course!
There is NOTHING like divine revelation, and it wouldn’t be an overstatement to suggest that this experience has been a revelation for me.
For the past 2 weeks I have been in the trenches of learning the most amazing musical process I could have ever imagined.
The Faculty
Introduction to Orff – Bethany Ellen Elsworth
Level I – Pam Hetrick (Basic Orff and Recorder) & Bethany Ellen Elsworth (Movement)
Level II/Level III – Amanda Ciavarelli & Marcelline Moody (Basic Orff and Recorder), Bethany Ellen Elsworth (Movement)