Thursday, October 6, 2016

October 8, 2016 change

Friends, due to Hurricane Matthew, Mary Helen Solomon will not be able to fly out of Florida for our workshop on Saturday! We are disappointed and worried about her and all the folks in the path of the storm. We have rescheduled Mary Helen's workshop for April 22, 2017, so mark that on your calendars!

But, you should still come to Morgantown this Saturday, October 8, 2016 because we have concentrated our efforts to NOT CANCEL our workshop and we have made a new plan! We are so pleased to tell you that Annie and Glen Chilcote (WVU alumni) have graciously agreed to present their workshop, "Go With the Flow: Engaging Lessons That Fully Immerse Students In High-Quality Music Making" to us.

If you have never seen Annie and Glen teach, you are surely missing out because they are thoughtful, energetic, fun, and dedicated to the Schulwerk! You will LOVE their presentation and you will take away so many teaching materials and ideas that you will use year after year in your own classroom.

Annie and Glen currently teach pre-K through 5th grade music in southwestern Virginia. They hold their Bachelor's of Music in Music Education from West Virginia University, and their MAED in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis in music from Virginia Tech. The Chilcotes completed three levels of Orff-Schulwerk training at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and were recipients of Gunild Keetman Assistance Fund grants from the American Orff-Schulwerk Association in 2013.

Annie teaches at Auburn Elementary School in Riner, VA. She currently serves as the president of the Virginia Highlands Chapter of AOSA and has served as a digital mentor for AOSA. Annie plays bassoon with the Blacksburg Community Strings and has recently served as dance captain and choreographer for community musical theater groups in Blacksburg, VA.

Glen teaches at Kipps Elementary, where he has five extra-curricular music ensembles, including the Three O'Clock Band, an advanced percussion group that has performed at several Virginia Tech sporting events. The Three O'Clock Band recently received the highest score among all performing ensembles of all ages at a Music in the Parks Competition in Williamsburg, VA. Glen was selected as Montgomery County's (VA) teacher of the year in 2014 and was a finalist for the McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence in 2015.

Annie and Glen live in Christiansburg, VA with their son, Eli, and their appropriately named rat terrier, Carl.

Finally, don't forget about the possibility of participating in our new offering of Continuing Education credit from WVU. Details will be available at our workshop on Saturday. See you there!!!!

Monday, October 3, 2016

Continuing Education Credit

We are excited to be able to offer 2 hours of professional development credit through West Virginia University's Continuing Education.

NEW!

Professional Development Course
  Music 930: “Orff’s Creative Pathways”

Offered by West Virginia University
in collaboration with the
Mountain Laurel Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association

Join us for the Mountain Laurel Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association’s 2016-2017 Chapter Workshops and take advantage of the opportunity to earn 2 hours of Professional Development Credit through West Virginia University’s Continuing Education. This credit can be used for renewal of your West Virginia teaching certification or advanced salary classification.

MLAOSA 2016-2017 Workshop Dates:
October 8, 2016, 9:00am-1:00pm             Mary Helen Solomon
February 11, 2017, 9:00am-1:00pm          Chapter Sharing
April 22, 2017, 9:00am-1:00pm                 To Be Announced  

Course Goals:
·      Experience first-hand the Orff-Schulwerk pedagogy and process.
·      Apply experiences learned in the Mountain Laurel Orff workshops with your students.
·      Reflect on the history and development of the Orff-Schulwerk approach.

Variable Credit Options
·         Section 001- 1credit (15 contact hours) $71.00
*Attend all three MLAOSA workshops in the 2016-2017 academic year (12 hours)
*Submit short written reflections based on experiences at each workshop that include a                                discussion of several “take away” ideas for your teaching. (3 hours)

·         Section 002-2 credits. (30 contact hours) $142.00
*Attend all three MLAOSA workshops in the 2016-2017 academic year (12 hours)
*Submit short written reflections based on experiences at each workshop that include a                             discussion of several “take away” ideas for your teaching. (3 hours)
*Integrate workshop experiences in your teaching with students. Design and teach a lesson(s) and      submit your lesson plan and short self-assessment of the experience. (10 hours)
*Browse AOSA’s website www.aosa.org and discover information about Orff Schulwerk’s history,      development, and integration in K-12 music settings. (5 hours)

Course Registration/Spring 2017. WVU online registration for the Spring 2017 semester will open November 15, 2016.  Registration form available at https://online.wvu.edu/Registration/forms/ProfDev.pdf  Completion of course requirements no later than May 01, 2017.

Join us at the first workshop on October 08 to learn more.
Questions about the course requirements and registration


Saturday, August 13, 2016

Mary Helen Solomon

Ostinato Tango -
a playful exploration from simple to complex
October 8, 2016
Skyview Elementary School
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Mary Helen in New Zealand, July 2008

Using the concept of the ostinato as our guide, we will explore speech, movement, and music while creating simple forms (explore: to travel in or through, searching for resources). We will also expand these tactics, venturing into various meters, modes, and harmonies. This workshop is suited for new teachers as well as those with plenty of Orff experience.

Mary Helen Solomon is currently the Assistant Director of Choral and Orff Studies at Episcopal School of Jacksonville in Florida.  She has taught elementary and pre-school students for many years prior to this current position.  Each summer she teaches Basic Orff Theory and Pedagogy for Level II or III at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Mary Helen has published four books of Orff materials. She will return to teach in New Zealand at the University of Waikato in Hamilton this January. In 1998 she received the Gladys Prior Award for Career Teaching from the University of North Florida.  

Driving directions to Skyview Elementary

From I-79, take I-68 Exit (last Morgantown exit. It is well-marked)
Once on I-68, take Exit 1 toward Morgantown
Turn left onto US119 N/Grafton Road for 3.5 miles
Turn left onto Pleasant St/Westover Bridge
Take first left after bridge onto River Road for 1.5 miles
At stop sign, continue straight up hill
School is on right


Fees:

Membership:  $15 per school year

Workshop:      $20 for members
                        $30 for non-members

Students:        Free with ID

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Matthew Stensrud

Responsive Classroom in the Schulwerk:
A Natural Fit
April 16, 2016
Skyview Elementary School
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.


With the implementation of Responsive Classroom in elementary schools across the country, music educators can be an influential voice in the successful use of this process based, community driven and exploration centered approach. Come and learn more about the basics of Responsive Classroom, how it looks in the elementary classroom, and why Responsive Classroom is a natural fit in the Schulwerk. Join us for a morning full of playing, speaking, singing, moving and creating!

Responsive Classroom is an approach to elementary education that leads to greater teacher effectiveness, higher student achievement, and improved school climate. Inspired by elementary classroom teachers, Responsive Classroom teachers recognize that knowing our children developmentally and culturally is an essential part of teaching. Responsive Classroom creates an equal balance of social and academic curricula and employs this balance with students through an explorative and process-driven approach similar to what Orff Schulwerk teachers employ in their own classrooms.  

Matthew Stensrud (MM, George Mason University; BM, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music) teaches kindergarten through fifth grade music at Annandale Terrace Elementary School in Fairfax County, Virginia.  He completed his Orff Schulwerk certification at the San Francisco International Orff Course in the summer of 2013 and his training in Responsive Classroom in 2011. Matthew presents frequently on the successful combination of Orff Schulwerk and Responsive Classroom, has published articles on Responsive Classroom in the music room and is currently contributing to a book for specialists on the incorporation of Responsive Classroom.  He lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

Driving directions to Skyview Elementary

From I-79, take I-68 Exit (last Morgantown exit. It is well-marked)
Once on I-68, take Exit 1 toward Morgantown
Turn left onto US119 N/Grafton Road for 3.5 miles
Turn left onto Pleasant St/Westover Bridge
Take first left after bridge onto River Road for 1.5 miles
At stop sign, continue straight up hill
School is on right


Fees:

Membership:  $15 per school year

Workshop:      $20 for members
                        $30 for non-members

Students:        Free with ID

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Annual Chapter Sharing Workshop

Annual Chapter Sharing Workshop

February 6, 2016

9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Skyview Elementary, Morgantown WV

Join us for our annual Chapter Sharing Workshop.

Several chapter members will share lesson ideas, tips on all aspects of teaching, tricks of the trade, quality music and lots of laughs.

Be ready to sing, say, dance and play!


***PLEASE CHECK THIS SITE THE MORNING OF THE WORKSHOP IN CASE OF CANCELLATION
DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER***

Driving directions to Skyview Elementary

From I-79, take I-68 Exit (last Morgantown exit. It is well-marked)
Once on I-68, take Exit 1 toward Morgantown
Turn left onto US119 N/Grafton Road for 3.5 miles
Turn left onto Pleasant St/Westover Bridge
Take first left after bridge onto River Road for 1.5 miles
At stop sign, continue straight up hill
School is on right


Fees:

Membership: $15 per school year

Workshop:      $20 for members
$30 for non-members

Students:        Free with ID

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Janie Vance

Movement in the Orff Classroom; Building Blocks and Process

Presented by Janie Vance

Displaying Janie Vance Head Shot for Echo.jpg

Saturday, October 3, 2015
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Skyview Elementary School
Morgantown, WV

This workshop will focus on creative ways to build a movement vocabulary to use in the Orff classroom for you and your students, improvising and ultimately creating original work while using fun, everyday concepts and ideas. Processes for teaching creative movement and folk dances will be included.  Other topics include facilitating group work during movement activities for your students, working with reluctant movers, and integrating creative movement with children’s literature.

Janie Vance is an active educator, clinician, and researcher in the field of music education.  She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University, a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Miami (FL) and a Master and Doctor of Education in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.  She received her certification and Masters certificate in Orff Schulwerk from George Mason University. Janie has taught movement for the Orff Schulwerk certification courses at Villanova University, Peabody Conservatory, and George Mason University.  She is an active presenter in Orff Chapter Workshops and National Conferences. Janie has taught general/vocal/instrumental music Pre-K through12th grade for 20 years and is currently the Dean of Faculty, Music Coordinator and teacher at The Town School in New York City.

Driving directions to Skyview Elementary

From I-79, take I-68 Exit (last Morgantown exit. It is well-marked)

Once on I-68, take Exit 1 toward Morgantown
Turn left onto US119 N/Grafton Road for 3.5 miles
Turn left onto Pleasant St/Westover Bridge
Take first left after bridge onto River Road for 1.5 miles
At stop sign, continue straight up hill
School is on right

Fees:

Membership: $15 per school year
Workshop:      $20 for members
$30 for non-members
Students:        Free with ID

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Pictures

Pictures from "Orffing Around," our most recent workshop with Eric Young.









Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Eric Young



Orffing Around:
Mastering the Art of Child’s Play

Presented by
Eric Young

Saturday, April 18, 2015
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Skyview Elementary School
Morgantown, WV

Discover your inner child. We will spend the day reconnecting with what makes Orff-Schulwerk such an engaging process.  This action packed day will consist of taking classic Orff-Schulwerk techniques and giving them a fresh new spin. We will use popular music, games, dancing, playing, moving, singing and dramatic play to help you rediscover the art of child's play.  Bring a friend and your soprano recorder!


Eric Young teaches K-5 music at Price’s Fork Elementary in Blacksburg, VA with Montgomery County Public Schools. Previously, Eric taught 6-12 music online with K12 Inc. and was music director at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Blacksburg, VA.  Eric holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Radford University and a Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis in Music Education from Virginia Tech.  He completed his Levels I, II, and III in Orff-Schulwerk from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Dr. Maribeth Yoder-White and Dr. Lisa Runner and master classes with Konnie Saliba.
He has presented workshops and in-services on Orff-Schulwerk, elementary music, Orff and technology for school districts, universities, state music education chapters, local and regional Orff-Schulwerk chapters, and online webinars. In addition, Eric has served as a guest conductor for both Orff Ensembles and Choirs.
He placed second in the National Sonor-Orff original composition contest in 2011.
Eric currently serves as the president of the Virginia Highlands Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. In addition, he is member of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, National Association for Music Education and Virginia Music Education Association.


Driving directions to Skyview Elementary

From I-79, take I-68 Exit (last Morgantown exit. It is well-marked)

Once on I-68, take Exit 1 toward Morgantown
Turn left onto US119 N/Grafton Road for 3.5 miles
Turn left onto Pleasant St/Westover Bridge
Take first left after bridge onto River Road for 1.5 miles
At stop sign, continue straight up hill
School is on right

Fees:

Membership: $15 per school year
Workshop:      $20 for members
$30 for non-members
Students:        Free with ID

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Chapter Sharing Workshop 2-7-15


Annual Chapter Sharing Workshop

February 7, 2015

9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Skyview Elementary, Morgantown WV

Join us for our annual Chapter Sharing Workshop.

Several chapter members will share lesson ideas, tips on all aspects of teaching, tricks of the trade, quality music and lots of laughs.

Be ready to sing, say, dance and play!


***PLEASE CHECK THIS SITE THE MORNING OF THE WORKSHOP IN CASE OF CANCELLATION
DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER***

Driving directions to Skyview Elementary

From I-79, take I-68 Exit (last Morgantown exit. It is well-marked)
Once on I-68, take Exit 1 toward Morgantown
Turn left onto US119 N/Grafton Road for 3.5 miles
Turn left onto Pleasant St/Westover Bridge
Take first left after bridge onto River Road for 1.5 miles
At stop sign, continue straight up hill
School is on right


Fees:

Membership: $15 per school year

Workshop:      $20 for members
$30 for non-members

Students:        Free with ID

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Josh Southard

It’s All About the Process: Keetman’s Rhythmic Building Blocks

Presented by
Joshua Southard

Saturday, October 25, 2014
9am-1pm

Skyview Elementary School
Morgantown, WV

Explore the many possibilities and processes found in the Music for Children
volumes and supplements!  In this workshop, we will utilize Keetman's
“Rhythmic Building Blocks” as our starting point and experience many different processes as we discover the countless possibilites found in the volumes!
Come Sing, Say, Play, Move, and Create through the Schulwerk!

Josh Southard teaches K-5 music at Smoky Row Elementary in Carmel, IN.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Butler University, and a Master’s degree in Music Education with Orff Emphasis from Anderson University.  He has completed all three levels of Orff Certification, as well as courses in Orff Curriculum and Composition.  His article “The Importance of Studying the Volumes” was published in the Orff Echo.  Josh has served as Vice President and President of the Indiana Orff Chapter since 2006, and was appointed to AOSA’s Historical Committee in 2011, where he now serves as Committee Chair.

Driving directions to Skyview Elementary

From I-79, take I-68 Exit (last Morgantown exit. It is well-marked)
Once on I-68, take Exit 1 toward Morgantown
Turn left onto US119 N/Grafton Road for 3.5 miles
Turn left onto Pleasant St/Westover Bridge
Take first left after bridge onto River Road for 1.5 miles
At stop sign, continue straight up hill
School is on right


Fees:

Membership: $15 per school year

Workshop:      $20 for members
$30 for non-members

Students:        Free with ID