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New England Chapter History |
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The American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) is a national organization. It was founded on May 11, 1968. This organization is dedicated to the creative music and movement approach developed by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman. Their mission is to demonstrate the value of Orff-Schulwerk and promote its widespread use; to support the professional development of its members and to inspire and advocate for the creative potential of all learners. Since AOSA’s inception, it has chartered various area chapters throughout the United States. Basically, these chapters are tasked with helping AOSA promote Orff-Schulwerk. To date, there are 96 AOSA-affiliated chapters in various regions throughout the country.
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Doreen Hall, an alumnus of the summer conference and course at the University of Toronto in 1962, was taught by Carl Orff, Guild Keetman, Wilhelm Keller, Lotte Flach and Barbara Haselbach. In the summer of 1961, Grace Nash, Orff Summer School Chairperson, brought her to the Music Center of the North Shore in Winnetka Village, Illinois.
One of the attendees of this conference was Murray McNair, music teacher at the Shore Country Day School in Beverly, Massachusetts. Mr. McNair was excited about what he experienced at this North Shore conference and shared that excitement with colleagues.
In 1963, Grace Nash was invited to headline the National Association of Independent Schools’ summer workshop in Beverly, Massachusetts. As a result, more and more teachers throughout New England became excited about bringing Orff-Schulwerk to their classrooms. As the popularity of Orff-Schulwerk grew, it became apparent that an Orff-Schulwerk chapter was needed, and nine years after Grace Nash appeared at the summer workshop in Beverly, a New England Orff-Schulwerk chapter became reality. In April 1972, the New England Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association was chartered at the National Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
In 1973, Edna Geary became the first President of the New England Chapter, hosting various professional development workshops given by Orff specialists, such as Tossi Aaron, Maureen Kenney, Gerry Dyck, Pat Brown, Robert Abramson, and Edna Geary herself. In addition, in 1974, the Chapter was asked to host a National AOSA conference in Boston, Massachusetts.
Today, the New England Chapter of the American Orff Schulwerk Association (NE/AOSA) continues to serve the Greater Boston and New England Area. The Chapter offers classroom teachers, music teachers, and administrators six workshops each year for a modest registration fee. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students are also welcome, and their registration is free. Through these workshops individuals learn and grow as educators and future educators and have the opportunity to connect with each other.
Also, each year, NE/AOSA offers its participants the opportunity to earn one or two graduate credits through workshop attendance and scholarships for individuals who wish to attend the AOSA National Conference. However, those applying must also be members of AOSA, our national organization, and finally, NE/AOSA also offers scholarships for those who wish to take Orff Music Teacher Training Levels courses.
The New England Chapter treats all its workshop participants like family, and as the picture says, All Are Welcome. With that said, please review our policy concerning diversity and inclusion by clicking here or you can access it from the top menu.
One of the attendees of this conference was Murray McNair, music teacher at the Shore Country Day School in Beverly, Massachusetts. Mr. McNair was excited about what he experienced at this North Shore conference and shared that excitement with colleagues.
In 1963, Grace Nash was invited to headline the National Association of Independent Schools’ summer workshop in Beverly, Massachusetts. As a result, more and more teachers throughout New England became excited about bringing Orff-Schulwerk to their classrooms. As the popularity of Orff-Schulwerk grew, it became apparent that an Orff-Schulwerk chapter was needed, and nine years after Grace Nash appeared at the summer workshop in Beverly, a New England Orff-Schulwerk chapter became reality. In April 1972, the New England Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association was chartered at the National Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
In 1973, Edna Geary became the first President of the New England Chapter, hosting various professional development workshops given by Orff specialists, such as Tossi Aaron, Maureen Kenney, Gerry Dyck, Pat Brown, Robert Abramson, and Edna Geary herself. In addition, in 1974, the Chapter was asked to host a National AOSA conference in Boston, Massachusetts.
Today, the New England Chapter of the American Orff Schulwerk Association (NE/AOSA) continues to serve the Greater Boston and New England Area. The Chapter offers classroom teachers, music teachers, and administrators six workshops each year for a modest registration fee. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students are also welcome, and their registration is free. Through these workshops individuals learn and grow as educators and future educators and have the opportunity to connect with each other.
Also, each year, NE/AOSA offers its participants the opportunity to earn one or two graduate credits through workshop attendance and scholarships for individuals who wish to attend the AOSA National Conference. However, those applying must also be members of AOSA, our national organization, and finally, NE/AOSA also offers scholarships for those who wish to take Orff Music Teacher Training Levels courses.
The New England Chapter treats all its workshop participants like family, and as the picture says, All Are Welcome. With that said, please review our policy concerning diversity and inclusion by clicking here or you can access it from the top menu.