Orff Schulwerk 

Who? 
● Carol Orff is a German composer, conductor, author and 
pedagogue. ​Carmina Burana ​(1937) and his contributions to 
the music education field are among his greatest, most 
well-known accomplishments. Likewise, Gunild Keetman 
was a German composer, performer and teacher. Together, 
the two German-natives created Orff Schulwerk (Orff Schoolwork).  

Why? 
● The Orff Schulwerk, or Orff Approach, was created to nourish the musicality of 
children through elemental activities in music and movement.  

What? 
● Orff Schulwerk is a developmental approach in music education that builds 
musicianship through active music making. Specifically, through singing, playing 
instruments, speech, and movement. Key areas include:  
○ Intellectual​​: Linear and intuitive intellectual capabilities, as well as 
artistic knowledge and skill 
○ Social​​: Artistic and leadership development through an ensemble 
setting 
○ Emotional​​: Avenues for non-verbal expression of emotions, release of 
emotion and tension, enhancement of self-esteem 
○ Aesthetic​​: Develop standards within styles being explored  
● Common activities:  
○ Imitation​​: Accurate replication (echo response of a given pattern) 
○ Exploration​​: Guided experiences in applying suggested ideas 
○ Improvisation​​: Exploration of original material through invention  
○ Composition​​: Creation of original material  
How? 
● Practical uses of Orff Schulwerk include: 
○ Expressing oneself through composition 
○ Interacting with music making in multiple ways before learning to read 
or write it  
○ Utilizing improvisation to foster creativity  
○ Exploring poems  
○ Exploring other cultures  
Advantages? 
● Stimulating creative imagination 
● Development of basic musicianship skills 
● Recognition and use of strengths 
● Fostering musicianship growth  

Challenges? 
● Difficulty improvising in a group setting 
● Children won’t develop intonation  
● Late exposure to written music  
● Constant development of standards or “what is good”  
○ Why should this matter?  

American  Orff-Schulwerk  Association  (2018).  Carl  Orff  &  Gunild  Keetman.  Retrieved 
from ​https://aosa.org/about/orff-keetman/ (Links to an external site.) 
 
American  Orff-Schulwerk  Association  (2018).  More  on Orff Schulwerk. Retrieved from 
https://aosa.org/about/more-on-orff-schulwerk/ (Links to an external site.) 
 
American Orff-Schulwerk Association (2018). Watch children in Orff Schulwerk 
classrooms. Retrieved from 
https://aosa.org/about/what-is-orff-schulwerk/watch-children-inorff-schulwerk-classr
ooms/ (Links to an external site.)