Levels

Taking part of an Orff level is a transformative experience for the elementary music educator.  If you have been loving diving into how music can be a joyful, exploratory process through workshops and conferences, you are ready to take an Orff level and transform your teaching!  Orff levels are offered across the country each summer and are a 2-week commitment with available graduate credit.  A levels course is divided into the following components emphasizing active music making as your students would do.   

Pedagogy

Recorder

Movement 

Daily special topics

There are 3 Orff levels; once all 3 are completed a master Orff teacher certificate is assigned from the National American Orff-Schulwerk Association. Master courses can be taken after completion of 3 Orff levels in a variety of topics including curriculum design and composition using the Music for Children Volumes, which are typically a one week commitment.  

In the summer 2025 the University of Missouri-St. Louis is offering Orff level 1 and level 2 which can be incorporated into a masters program, stand alone graduate credit or certification only.  The course will be offered from July 7-18, 2025 and will be held in the beautiful Touhill Performing Arts Center facility.    Our chapter is pleased to offer an annual scholarship for a chapter member to attend an Orff level to further their knowledge of the Orff-Schulwerk process.  The application for the annual scholarship is open in the spring.  The cost for Level 1 is $750 before May 15 and $775 afterwards. (Pricing information will be updated when confirmed)

The instructors for the 2025 UMSL level are as follows:

• David Row: Level I pedagogy

• TBA: Level II pedagogy

• Jessica Dunnick: movement

• Dr. Andy Goodman: recorder

Click here to learn more about our local levels!  Registration is now open!

If you have more questions please reach out to our collegiate contact, Kim Warger at kwarger99@gmail.com.