POPULAR MUSIC AND ORFF SCHULWERK with martina vasil

On January 27, the Alberta Orff Chapter gathered for a workshop on Popular Music and Orff Schulwerk with Dr. Martina Vasil. This workshop challenged participants to reflect on the many opportunities that popular music can be used in the music classroom. 

Martina began with children’s literature examples. One of which being, “C is for Country,” by American rapper and songwriter, Lil Nas X. To go with the book and popular song, “Old Town Road,” participants were given cards with different animals on them, and challenged to come up with movements for their animals. One example was “I’m gonna take my giraffe to the old town road, I’m gonna stretch till I can’t no more!”

Later in the day Martina began sharing ideas for arranging popular music for Orff instruments. Participants used drums, xylophones, and recorders to put together arrangements for Hey Ya, Another One Bites the Dust, and the John Cena theme song. There were never ending possibilities for this, and we were able to see the process for creating our own arrangements that would suit our school communities.

The day finished with some work with break dancing, and connections to art curriculum with a focus on artist Keith Haring. In partners, participants were challenged to create art that was inspired by Keith Haring. One partner danced, and froze in place, while the other drew their partner in the pose they had stopped on. Students then cut out their drawings and used symbols that had meaning to them to create patterns on their silhouettes. These activities provided opportunities for schoolwide connections.

This workshop was full of fun, laughter, and connection with music colleagues. It provided participants with a chance to think about how to be relevant in their music classrooms, and to better connect to their school communities.