Workshop Date: March 8, 2025
Presenter: David Row
Critical Thinking in Orff Schulwerk
Orff Schulwerk offers so many possibilities for exploration, creation, expression,
and critical thinking. In this session we’ll talk about the many ways that critical thinking alreadyexists in the Orff Schulwerk approach, ideas on enhancing your lessons with critical thinking strategies, and how to communicate about what you’re doing with administrators, parents, and other educators.
Orff Schulwerk offers so many possibilities for exploration, creation, expression,
and critical thinking. In this session we’ll talk about the many ways that critical thinking alreadyexists in the Orff Schulwerk approach, ideas on enhancing your lessons with critical thinking strategies, and how to communicate about what you’re doing with administrators, parents, and other educators.
This school year marks his 13th full year as an educator in public schools. He graduated from Greenville College (IL) in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree and then went to the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory where he earned his Master’s Degree studying Choral Conducting and Music Education (2011). He completed his Orff Schulwerk certification at Baker University in KS. He pursued further training in Orff Schulwerk and is now an AOSA approved Teacher Educator for Orff Schulwerk pedagogy at summer levels courses.
When not teaching or writing about teaching on his blog, he does his best to connect with other music educators around the country. He has presented clinics and workshops throughout the country at the local and state levels. He is a past president of the Mid-Michigan Orff Schulwerk Association and is an active member of the American Orff Schulwerk Association. Check out his newest adventure by looking in Apple Podcasts for “Make Moments Matter: A Music Education Podcast”!