Orff-Schulwerk is a way to teach and learn music. It is based on things children like to do: sing, chant rhymes, clap, dance and keep the beat on anything at hand. Music class helps
nurture students’
innate creativityBy Rowen Labuguen
Ka LeoThis program is the brainchild of Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman, who created it in the 1950s in Germany.
Five decades later, music teacher Linda Weyman uses the program so that all her students in junior kindergarten to sixth grade "gain a wonderful sense to create, enjoy, feel and respond to music."
"Simple actions, including clapping, knee-patting, foot-stomping and basic body movements help students to learn rhythm, vocal and choral techniques, musical concepts and, most importantly, creativity," Weyman said.
Fourth-grader Lesley Medeiros said, "I love our teacher's funny poems and rhymes, especially when we clap our hands, stomp our feet or play the bells or drums to them."
On this particular day, as fourth-grade students entered the classroom, they were greeted by different musical compositions which enticed them to dance. After they were seated, Weyman encouraged them to articulate the feelings the music created in their bodies.
Erica Post said, "If the music has lots of drums, I just want to jump out of my seat and dance!"
"The Orff-Schulwerk music program is a discovery process," said Weyman. "It allows the girls to explore and find music in their speaking, their movements and surroundings before introducing them to note reading."
Although Weyman said reading and writing music will come later, there are already some dreamers.
Makena Hamilton, 9-year-old granddaughter of Hawaii composer Andy Cummings, said, "My grandpa wrote songs and put them to music. I want to do that, too!"
"Music is my favorite part of the day because we have such fun with the instruments," said fourth-grader Jessica Porter.
Instruments, such as tambourines, musical glasses, bar instruments and snare drums are essential to the success of the program. But the academy has so much more.
"For the past five years, the academy has spent thousands of dollars on acquiring enough instruments for our girls, and fortunately, most of the funds have come from grants and foundations," Vice Principal Remee Bolante said.
There appears to be a certain prestige if one is picked to play the wooden xylophones or glockenspiels.
"When we have an orchestra, I keep my eyes squeezed real tight and hope that I get to play the bass," said Ashley Perreira.
Classmate Valerie Sadural said, "During our music classes, we use our brains, ears and bodies. Together we make really cool music."
For Taylor Higuchi, music class is more than a fun exercise. "Going to music class is magic!"
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