The Orff Schulwerk approach
"Since the beginning of time, children
have not liked to study. They would
much rather play, and if you have
their interests at heart, you will let
them learn while they play; they will
find that what they have mastered is
child's play" - Carl Orff
for performing arts educators
Courses
Every year the Orff Schulwerk Society of South Africa hosts a number of workshops aimed at helping music educators, music students and music therapists develop their abilities to teach music to children and adults.
Resources
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Membership
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About the Orff Schulwerk Society of South Africa
The Orff Schulwerk Society of South Africa was founded in 1972 by Hazel Cunnington (nee Walker) and Janet Hudson in Johannesburg.
The main aim of the Society is to promote creative music education, with an emphasis on the teaching and learning philosophies of Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman. This is achieved through our diverse workshop and course offerings, and through BOSSA, The Bulletin of the Orff Schulwerk Society of South Africa, which contains our latest news, articles of interest, and teaching ideas for performing arts educators in South Africa.
Over the years, several internationally-renowned Orff pedagogues – including Verena Maschat, Jos Wuytack, Doug Goodkin, Ulrike Jungmair, Christoph Maubach, Gerard van de Geer, Janet Greene, James Harding and Sofia Lopez-Ibor – have presented workshops and courses to enthusiastic music teachers in Johannesburg, Cape Town and East London.
Throughout South Africa, our presenters and guest artists conduct workshops which incorporate an eclectic global approach within our own unique context. This is in line with Orff’s view of his work as a plant which would take root and flower in many different environments; as a living organism which would draw vitality from its surrounding climate.
We are proud to be one of over 40 Orff Schulwerk Associations around the world and trust that we will continue to explore and adapt the Orff approach to reflect a contemporary South African culture.
We strive to provide a platform for the sharing of knowledge and collaborations, which facilitate the culturally responsible dissemination of the Orff Schulwerk Approach within our country.