Jeff Kriske & Randy DeLelles - Orff Schulwerk: Under Construction, Feb. 21, 2015

On February the 21st, 2015, the Alberta Orff Chapter hosted Jeff Kriske and Randy DeLelles for "Orff Schulwerk Under Construction."  Many local teachers were in attendance to learn from the very popular authours of the Gameplan series.

While Jeff & Randy are very well known for their publications, their adept ability to put on a fantastic workshop were proven in spades in what was to be a very satisfying day.  Based on the construction theme, they presented a wide array of activities and strategies for older and younger children.  In addition, they presented material that could both be tried right away as well as selections to develop over a longer period of time.  With their impressive body of work behind them, Jeff & Randy still managed to present almost all new material.

Based on the construction theme, Jeff & Randy presented ideas on how to build lessons and performances.  In addition, many examples as to how students can construct musical concepts were also presented.  For example, participants were invited to construct sections of a rondo creating rhythmic movement for the contrasting sections.  The construction theme was embraced with participants using word chains based on tools to create the other sections.

The most impressive thing about the day was how Jeff & Randy infused a large number of high quality materials into a single theme.  As the above example showed, they continued to present many songs and activities with almost all of them fitting their construction theme. Many different skills and approaches were covered. From more advanced rhythms to practicing so and mi, no stone was left unturned.

Jeff & Randy provide great content and have mastered the art of presenting a workshop. They included a number of delightful giveaways and occasional moments for hints and tips useful for new teachers. Certainly the "old hands" picked up new tricks as well.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the day were short breaks from the flow where Jeff & Randy would teach small parts of a song, play a game or  add a rhythm. Each time a new thing thing was learned it continued to build.  At the end of the day it all wrapped up into a single rollicking arrangement of Drill Ye Terriers complete with orchestration and a complementary partner song of their composition.

The day was great and more importantly, a thing to remember. A workshop is a venue for learning, and an experience!  Jeff & Randy's high quality material and slick presentation style created a day that surely pleased everyone.