AOSA NEWS
Scroll below to read the details for each headline. Posting date is included with the headline. Links to prior year posts can be found at the bottom of the page.
The Secret Song Airs April 6 on PBS – March 23, 2024
AOSA Seeks Applicants for Social Media Coordinator – March 18, 2024
AOSA statement regarding Carl Orff and his alleged participation in National Socialism – March 8, 2024
In Memoriam: Danai Apostolidou Gagné – February 18, 2024
AOSA Seeks Applicants for Associate National Conference Director – February 5, 2024
The Orff Echo is soliciting articles for the Winter 2025 issue: Create – January 31, 2024
Writing for AOSA Online Session: February 1, 8-9:15pm EST – January 3, 2024
AOSA Announces the 2023 National Board of Election Results – January 3, 2024
The Secret Song Airs April 6 on PBS The Secret Song is an immersive view into the final chapter in Doug Goodkin’s 45-year career teaching music to children in San Francisco. In what could have been a celebratory victory lap, the veteran teacher finds his efforts to instill a sense of belonging interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. When their classrooms are shuttered, Goodkin and his students must surmount new adversities and find a way to keep the music playing and the learning going. Watch on PBS or stream.
AOSA Seeks Applicants for Social Media Coordinator The American Orff-Schulwerk Association seeks applicants for the following position: Social Media Coordinator – begin May 1, 2024. This position will consist of coordinating all AOSA social media content, chairing the Social Media Committee, and collaborating with the Communications Director. You will find more details of the position in the Social Media Coordinator’s Job Description.
To apply, please complete this google form including a resume and an interest statement. The deadline for applications is Monday, April 15, 2024.
The American Orff-Schulwerk Association statement regarding Carl Orff and his alleged participation in National Socialism. The American Orff-Schulwerk Association releases the following statement regarding Carl Orff and and his alleged participation in National Socialism.
In Memoriam: Danai Apostolidou Gagné Danai Apostolidou Gagné passed from this world on Friday, February 16, 2024 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Danai was known throughout the Orff Schulwerk world as a master teacher, beautiful dancer, stellar musician, and loving human. Countless students have been touched by her gentle spirit and spark of joy. In 2007, Danai was the recipient of the prestigious AOSA Distinguished Service Award. Read more about Danai Gagné.
AOSA Seeks Applicants for Associate National Conference Director The American Orff-Schulwerk Association seeks applicants for the following position: Associate National Conference Director – begin March 1, 2024. This position will consist of collaborating with the National Conference Director, facilitating the work of the National Conference Chair(s), providing oversight of the local conference team and as needed, supporting the Professional Development Director. Follow this link to review the Associate National Conference Director Job Description.
To apply, please complete this google form including a resume and an interest statement. Deadline for application is Friday, March 1, 2024.
The Orff Echo Editorial Board is soliciting articles for the Winter 2025 issue. The featured topic is “Create.” The deadline for submissions is May 15, 2024.
“Create” seeks to celebrate and examine the creative vibrancy of our classrooms, our work with children, and our children’s work with one another.
We invite various types of submissions such as (1) philosophical and theoretical work reflecting the application of Orff Schulwerk; (2) interpretation and adaptation of Orff pedagogical techniques for music and other teachings; (3) empirical and/or historical research related to Orff Schulwerk; (4) articles that support AOSA’s diversity statement.
There are so many possible directions for this theme. You might consider the following questions:
- How do we facilitate meaningful student creation and creative ownership across a variety of media? How do we assess this?
- How do we navigate the tension between scaffolding student improvisation/composition experiences through the Orff Schulwerk process and making space for students’ diverse musical knowledge and expressive freedom?
- How might research on creativity and neuroscience inform our Orff Schulwerk teaching?
- How does the Schulwerk support the National Core Arts “Create” Standards?
- How do we include creative openings in experiences of culturally diverse repertoire with integrity and fidelity?
- What else might this topic inspire you to explore?
The Orff Echo Editorial Board is always interested in original research and informative articles covering all aspects of the Schulwerk and music education, such as movement, play, singing, assessment, and curricular planning. Our format allows for submissions dedicated to your area of interest in addition to our featured topic.
Please contact coordinators Roxanne Dixon (rxndxn@gmail.com) and Erika Knapp (erikajknapp@gmail.com) with submissions or questions regarding the “Create” issue. For general questions about The Orff Echo, send inquiries to Linda Hines (echoeditor@aosa.org). Articles can be submitted through the Echo Articles Submission Form.
Writing for AOSA Onlines Session: February 1, 8-9:15pm EST Would you like to write for AOSA? Join The Orff Echo and Reverberations editors online Thursday, February 1, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern (7:00 p.m. Central, 6:00 p.m. Rocky Mountain, 5:00 p.m. Pacific) for an interactive, dynamic discussion of upcoming article topics. This session is open to novices and experts alike interested in writing for AOSA. Use this registration form and then watch your email for a reminder and Zoom link one week prior to the session.
AOSA Announces the 2023 National Board of Trustees Election Results The Leadership Development and Nominations Committee of AOSA is pleased to announce the results of our 2023 National Board of Trustees election. We would like to thank all members who were on the ballot for their willingness to serve AOSA and participation in the election process. Congratulations to the following new board members who begin their position July 1, 2024.
- Region I: Sarah Fairfield
- Region II: Joseph Gershin
- Region IV: Crystal Briley
- Region V: Sarah Williams
- Vice President-Elect of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access: Victor Lozada
- Recording Secretary: Dan Gullick