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Orff Schulwerk
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Glasgow, R. B. & Hamreus, D. G. (1968). Study to determine the feasibility of adapting the Carl Orff approach to elementary schools in America. ERIC report. (Source type: ERIC)
| Author(s): | Glasgow, R B Hamreus, D G |
| Title: | Study to determine the feasibility of adapting the Carl Orff approach to elementary schools in America |
| Source Type: | ERIC |
| Source Name: | ERIC report |
| Year: | ERIC |
| Year: | 1968 |
| Catalog No.: | ED 020 804 |
| Country Code: | USA |
| Language: | English |
| Orff Topic Category: | Effect of OS on Music Knowledge/Skills |
| Secondary Orff Topic Category: | Influence of OS on Attitudes/Preferences |
| Research Methodology I: | Quantitative |
| Research Methodology II: | Action Research |
| Participants: | Students (N=300) in 12 classes, and teachers of the Campus Elementary School, at Monmouth, Oregan |
| Purpose: | 1) To test if Orff Schulwerk can teach basic music fundamentals regardless of students' music aptitude; 2) To discover whether Orff Schulwerk activities would improve students' attitude; 3) To field-test American teaching materials |
| Data Type: | Ability to perform Schulwerk activities |
| Analysis: | Rating by a panel of judges |
| Abstract: | Orff Schulwerk activities were conducted to 300 children in 15 classes in a Campus Elementary School (grades 1-6) twice weekly in 30-minute sessions for a year. Teaching materials were those already found in American classrooms using the Orff Approach. These include sequenced objectives in 15 steps starting with speech, echo clapping, use of pentatonic scale, improvising patterns, and rhythmic and melodic canon. 15 students from each class were randomly chosen to take the music test and attitude measures (n=180). Music tasks included observing musical memory via echoing patterns from 2 to 8 measures, improvisation on hand drums, interpretation with movement, and independence in playing in an ensemble. Results indicate that different grades performed differently but that overall performance increased across all grades. No positive growth in attitude toward music was shown. |
| Results/Conclusions: | Grades 1, 2, and 4 made significant improvement on rhythmic patterns, but not for Grades 3, 5, and 6. There was no significant growth in melodic patterns, note reading, or change in attitude. There was significant growth seen in creating rhythmic phrases. The total performance increased across all grades. |
| Implications for music education (continued research): | Students grew in musical skills, especially in rhythm. American materials can be used successfully in Orff lessons. A change of attitude was not observed with the 8-item scale used in this study. |
| Keywords: | Elementary Methods Curriculum, music development, attitude |