A creative approach to teaching and learning
Orff-Schulwerk is a creative approach to teaching and learning music through speaking, singing, playing instruments, and moving. Created by composers Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman, the Schulwerk is an exciting way to teach and learn music. For more information about the Kansas Orff Chapter, please contact president@kansasorff.com or visit sites.google.com/view/kansas-orff-chapter.
Baker University’s beautiful tree-filled campus with its brook, bridge, and an English village chapel (moved to the campus in 1996) will be a fantastic site on which to enjoy this rewarding workshop.
The Baker campus is located just 45 minutes from Kansas City and Topeka and 20 minutes from Lawrence, with many recreational opportunities such as swimming, restaurants, historical sites, and parks. Classes meet 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Registration & Fees
Level I teacher education course fee: $600
Level III teacher education course fee: $600 LEVEL III IS FULL
You may register for either course online. Minimally, a $150 nonrefundable deposit is due by April 1 (*refundable only if the class is canceled because of low enrollment). The balance of payment for the course is due on or before the first day of classes.
Graduate Credit
You may earn 3 hours of graduate credit for Level I or Level III for an additional fee of $240 ($80 per credit). Just click the link for graduate credit embedded in the course registration form.
On-Campus Housing
Inexpensive housing is available through Baker University. The apartments include private bedrooms, shared bath, and kitchen facilities. Plan to bring your own bedding (extra-long twin) and towels. For more information about registration, credit, and housing, contact the Department of Music and Theatre at 785.594.8478 or email tlyerla@bakerU.edu.
Special Invitation to Orff Chapter Members
We wish to extend a special invitation to the members of the Kansas Orff Chapter and the Heart of America Orff Chapter to attend this workshop.
Cancellation Policy
Baker University may cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is cancelled or postponed, Baker University will refund all registration fees but cannot be held responsible for other costs, charges, or expenses incurred by the registrant.
Courses
Level I
Level I is for anyone with musical training who wishes to acquire basic knowledge and pedagogic foundations in the Orff-Schulwerk approach. Study of basic Orff techniques, including use of the pentatonic, the simple bordun, the ostinato, and elemental forms; basic body movements and their application to the Schulwerk; soprano recorder; vocal and rhythmic training; and improvisation. Recommended for persons with no previous two-week training course.
Level III COURSE IS FULL
Level III is for anyone who has successfully completed an AOSA-approved Level II course. Instruction will review Level I and Level II techniques, emphasizing the teaching process. Students will explore instrumental and vocal improvisation and review modal materials, advanced orchestration, including functional harmony (I-V, I-IV, I-IV-V), recorder and movement. Students will also teach lessons.
Instructors
Jennifer Donovan: Pedagogy
Level I
Jennifer Donovan teaches at Clear Creek Elementary School in Shawnee, Kansas. She is a past president of the Kansas Orff Chapter and has served on the AOSA National Board of Trustees as Region III representative and treasurer. She served as national conference chair for the 2016 AOSA Conference in Atlantic City and served in the same position for the 2020 AOSA Conference in Kansas City. Jennifer served on the 2009 and 2018 Kansas Teacher of the Year teams. The 2012 recipient of the World Village Wildcard scholarship, Jennifer attended the JaSeSoiRy World Village in Finland.
Connie Van Engen: Pedagogy
Level III
Connie Van Engen is the music specialist at Bell Prairie Elementary, where she teaches K-5th grade students, and conducts the Wind Song Choir. Connie received her Orff Schulwerk Certification from Hamline University, and apprenticed with Elaine Larson at George Mason University. Connie is the Level II Pedagogy instructor in the Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education Courses at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, and Baker University in Kansas. She is currently the recording secretary of AOSA, and has served as a Region III representative. In 2013, Connie was named the North Kansas City School District’s Teacher of Distinction. She is a soprano in the Kansas City Symphony Chorus. Connie and her husband, Ken, share their 100-year-old house in Kansas City with an Old English Sheepdog named Addy.
Freedom Brass: Movement
Levels I & III
Freedom Brass teaches K-5 Elementary Music in Junction City, Kansas. She has over 20 years of music teaching experience in elementary and secondary classrooms. Freedom earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and holds a master’s in special education with an emphasis in difficult and challenging behaviors. She received all three Orff Schulwerk Music Certifications from Baker University in Kansas and is an AOSA-Certified movement Instructor of all three levels. Her professional affiliations include being a member of AOSA, the Kansas Orff Chapter, and a partner of Kansas State University’s student internship program. Freedom was the Geary County District Kansas Teacher of the Year in 2020. Her professional passions are music advocacy, mentoring new music teachers, building positive relationships with students, and creating an inclusive environment for all learners.
Kelly Whisinnand: Movement & Recorder, Levels I & III
Kelly Whisinnand teaches at Reeder Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska. She teaches preschool through fifth-grade students and conducts the fourth- and fifth-grade choir. She also directs the seventh- and eighth-grade show choirs at Beadle Middle School. Kelly has served as treasurer for the Great Plains Orff Chapter and is currently serving on the AOSA National Board of Trustees. She received her Orff Schulwerk Certification from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Southern Methodist University. She apprenticed with Sarah Richardson to become a movement instructor and with Julie Blakeslee to become a recorder instructor. Kelly presented at the 2016 AOSA National Conference in Atlantic City and the 2019 AOSA National Conference in Salt Lake City
Greg Gooden: Course Director
Levels I & III
Greg Gooden retired from a 39-year career as a music teacher in May 2020. The last 15 of those years were spent teaching military children at Fort Riley Elementary School. He is the director of the Geary County Children’s Choir and previously directed the McPherson Arts Council Children’s Choir. He is a past president of the Kansas Orff Chapter. Greg was the Elementary Outstanding Music Teacher of the Year in 2006 and 2012 for the North Central District KMEA. He was a presenter at the 2005 AOSA National Conference in Birmingham and the 2006 National Conference in Omaha. Greg has been the Orff course director at Baker University since its inception. He retired from serving as the recorder instructor at the end of 2021.