Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education: Level 1

Date

July 6-July 17, 2026

On Campus

Course Code

MECA 7036B

Credits

Tuition

$1,580

Course Description

Learn the fundamentals of Orff Schulwerk, an active approach to music education. This course will include speech, singing, and movement activities, as well as playing recorder, Orff instruments, and unpitched percussion.

Spend two weeks in Chicago at VanderCook College of Music learning the fundamental principles of the Orff Approach. This child-centered way of learning music will encourage your students to enjoy music-making while enhancing their awareness of space, time, form, line, color, design and mood. Both individually and in groups, children must learn important concepts by doing hands-on activities that allow them to explore and create.

This course is offered in person, on campus, from July 6 – July 17, 2026. Classes meet Monday through Friday, 8AM – 4PM. See Summer Housing, Dining & Parking options.

Instructor

Christine Ballenger

[email protected]

Christine Ballenger currently teaches general music (PK-5) in Gaithersburg, MD. She holds degrees in music education from the University of New Mexico (M.M.) and the University of Puget Sound (B.M.). Christine teaches basic pedagogy, recorder, and movement in several different AOSA-approved teacher education courses and has served as a member of the editorial board of The Orff Echo since 2017. She has presented at AOSA National Professional Development Conferences, as well as for workshops for AOSA chapters and school districts across the country. Christine has also had training in Kodaly and World Music Drumming, and completed the “International Summer Course” in 2018 at the Orff Institute, in Salzburg, Austria.

Where the most Inspired Musicians
become the most Inspiring Music Teachers

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