Orff instruments debut

Woodstock is happy to announce the inauguration of its new Orff Instrument collection. Orff music instruction is a system of music education which approaches music like natural language acquisition. Orff is contingent upon the idea that just as every child learns a language without formal instruction so can every child learn music in a gentle and friendly approach.

Orff instruction began to be developed in 1928 by K. Maendler under the direction of composer Carl Orff. Orff instruments are percussive tone bar instruments, such as xylophones and glockenspiel, with removable bars. The use of percussive instruments was found to be highly successful in teaching the fundamentals of music especially to groups of younger children. On the percussive instruments simple but strong variations on rhythmic patterns are easily learnt. The removable bars help limit the number of errors, consequently children gain greater confidence in their own mastery of the instrument and develop a comfort performing. The simple musical patterns and limited room for error allow groups of children to make beautiful music almost immediately. Carl Orff advocated that music students should, "Experience first, then intellectualize." Orff instructors find that children become more willing to participate in musical creation. Group work and collaboration is nurtured during each musical number and the end result is a successful and fun music-making experience for a whole classroom. After these initial positive experiences with music creation, Orff students feel more comfortable moving onto more difficult instruments, such as piano and violin.

Having fun and learning, too!

Elementary music instructor, Emily Hatch, will be using the new Orff instruments in her general music classes and is also starting an extra curricular Orff music club for the lunch hour. Having these instruments at Woodstock markedly increases the quality of the general music program and should be a tool in recruiting highly qualified general music teachers to work at the school.

The instruments were purchased by the music department through the regular operations budget.