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