Orff Related News - Sue Harvie Workshop Review for Elk Island Public School Teachers, March 7th, 2014

Hello everyone,

I thought that it would be interesting to post Orff-related news that may not be directly related to the chapter.  This way you can follow along with some other Orff business going on that may not be directed by your friendly local Orff chapter.

Earlier this month Elk Island Public Schools featured our friend of the Alberta Orff Chapter Sue Harvie.

Elk Island music teachers were treated to a half day workshop that featured some great ideas for division I as well as division II students.

One of the highlights of the workshop for me included the song "Don't You Tickle Me."  I have already used this song with division I students who LOVED it.  Sue brought us through a beautifully crafted set of sequential steps that practised beat, rhythm, and knowing the difference between the two.  We stepped to the beat, clapped the rhythm and even fumbled about a little bit when we attempted to step the rhythm while clapping the beat!

Another highlight included a wonderful elimination game based on a shipwreck.  That might sound strange, but trust me it was great.  Sue had us singing, playing a game and moving and then moving to play the instruments.  In a circle, the participants sang a song written by Sue about the survivors on the island.  The losers did not lose but won the chance to play an instrument.  I don't want to go to too much detail with this one because I suspect you may experience it first hand if you are going to be in Halifax this year where Sue is presenting as part of the upcoming national Orff Conference.

There were other experiences as well during the workshop but I chose to focus on those two highlights of the afternoon.  Everyone in attendance had, no doubt, a great deal of F-U-N!