ASU Music Learning and Teaching Summer Institute

Kodály and Orff information

Kodály at ASU

Kodály Levels courses will be offered next June 5-16, 2023.

Kodály Levels courses for Summer 2023:  Levels I, II, Advanced Study, and Review

Course approval and course schedule
The Kodály levels courses at Arizona State University are reviewed and approved annually by the Organization of American Kodály Educators. Each level requires a minimum of 60 clock hours of in-class work and various out-of-class assignments requiring additional student time. Classes meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily for two weeks (M-F), with breaks for lunch and breaks between class sessions. All Kodály levels courses are offered for graduate credit or for continuing education units (CEUs). 

General description
Kodály levels courses at ASU are designed to provide participants with strategies for teaching music based on the philosophies and practices of musician-composer-educator Zoltan Kodály and commonly known as “Kodály” in this country and abroad. The Kodály approach to music teaching and learning is appropriate for pre-school children through students in middle school grades and also has applications for high school and adult education, particularly in choral settings. The focus of Kodály is music literacy, achieved through listening, singing, reading, writing, and creating music. Kodály pedagogy emphasizes developing music literacy through the indigenous music of the culture, beginning with folk songs. 

The Kodály courses at ASU are approved by the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE) – the national association governing Kodály pedagogy in the United States – and meet the hour requirements and content standards required by OAKE as well as university requirements. Classes include instruction in pedagogy, solfége, folk song research, conducting and choral singing. In addition, special topics covered may include, but are not limited to, folk dance, music listening and multicultural topics in music education. 

Level I course description
Level I courses (pedagogy and solfége) focus specifically on pedagogy for pre-K through grade 2, including singing, movement, hand signs and solfége, and the development of music reading and writing skills. Planning and delivery of instruction as well as curriculum development for early grade music instruction are included.

Level II course description
Level II courses focus specifically on pedagogy, repertoire, and materials for grades 3 through 4 or 5, with a review of K-2 techniques, pedagogy and repertoire as appropriate.  In addition to concentrated work in singing, movement, hand signs and solfége, and the development of music reading and writing skills, Level II students engage folk song research and analysis.  Choral singing and conducting are included in the Level II curriculum. 

Teacher certification
Level I Kodály courses in combination with Level I Orff courses are accepted by the music learning and teaching faculty in lieu of Elementary Music Methods. Either Level I Kodály or Level I Orff or both may be accepted by school districts or state certification agencies as the equivalent of elementary music methods; ASU does not make that decision for school districts or state agencies. If taking the course for Arizona teacher certification, you must be enrolled for graduate credit. CEUs may not be converted to graduate credit at a later date.

Contact information
For further information about the Kodály courses at ASU, contact Sandra Stauffer, professor, Music Learning and Teaching, or call 602-690-6226.

Orff Levels courses will be offered next June 19-30, 2023.

Orff –Schulwerk levels courses for Summer 2023: Levels I, II, III, Advanced Study, and Review

Course numbers and course approval
The Orff levels courses at Arizona State University are reviewed and approved annually by the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. Each level (I, II, III) requires a minimum of 60 clock hours of in-class work, and various out-of-class assignments requiring additional student time. Classes meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily for two weeks (M-F), with breaks for lunch and breaks between class sessions. All Orff levels courses are offered for graduate credit or for continuing education units (CEUs). Intro to Orff and Orff Master Classes meet on varying schedules. See each summer listing and descriptions below for more details.

General description
Orff-Schulwerk levels courses at ASU are designed to provide participants with strategies for teaching music based on the philosophies and practices of musician-composer-educator Carl Orff and his colleagues and contemporaries. These practices are commonly known as “Orff Schulwerk” in this country and abroad. The Orff-Schulwerk approach to music teaching and learning is appropriate for pre-school children through students in middle school grades and also has applications for high school and adult education. The focus of Orff-Schulwerk is music making through speech, rhythm and movement, singing, playing instruments, and improvising and creating music. The integration of music and movement is a key component of Orff pedagogy. 

The Orff levels courses at ASU are approved by the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (ASOA) – the national association governing Orff pedagogy in the United States – and meet the hour requirements (minimum of 60 clock hours per level) and content standards required by AOSA. Classes include instruction in pedagogy, movement and recorder. In addition, special topics covered include folk dance, music listening and multicultural topics in music education. 

Level I course description
Level I courses focus specifically on music fundamental speech and movement, rhythmic development, basic recorder skills, non-pitched percussion, and melodic development and pitched percussion skills focused on music in the pentatonic as well as beginning I-V harmonizations. Participants are expected to complete various assignments, including speech pieces, ostinato assignments, and instrument settings, and to demonstrate ability to play the soprano recorder. A teaching proficiency at the end of the course is also required. 

Level II course description
Students who enroll in level II courses must have successfully completed level I course work and should also have completed a year of teaching at the elementary level following level I course work. Level II course work begins with a review of level I pentatonic material, then extends into full diatonic work, including chord changes. An introduction to modes is included. In addition to proficiency on soprano recorder, level II students are expected to develop proficiency on alto recorder. Assignments include speech, movement and instrumental work in extended forms and with multiple parts and voicings. A teaching proficiency at the end of the course is required. 

Level III course description
Students who enroll in level III courses must have successfully completed level II course work, and should also have completed a year of teaching following level II course work. Level III course work begins with a review of level I and II material. The particular challenge of level III is work in the various modes and in extended musical forms. Participants are expected to demonstrate proficiency on soprano, alto, and tenor recorders. Assignments include full settings in various modes and forms, with developed orchestrations in various formats. A teaching proficiency at the end of the course is required.

Orff master class
We are proud to offer a one-week master class in some summers. The master class is open to anyone who has completed Orff Level II or Level III course work at any institution. The course meets daily, 8:30-4:30, for one week. Additional details about course content will be posted. 

Teacher certification 
Level I Orff combined with level I Kodály is accepted by the ASU music learning and teaching faculty in lieu of Elementary Music Methods. Either level I Orff or level I Kodály or both may be accepted by school districts or state certification agencies as the equivalent of elementary music methods; ASU does not make that decision for school districts or state agencies. If taking the course for Arizona teacher certification, you must be enrolled for graduate credit.  CEUs may not be converted to graduate credit at a later date. 

Contact information
For more information about the Orff courses at ASU, contact Sandra Stauffer, professor, Music Learning and teaching, or call 602-690-6226.