PLAY!

Welcome message from MOC President, Charisse Wurch 

 Gurleen - Student

Music education is important because... Part 1 

 Music education is important because... Part 2

 Carl Orff was a German composer and music educator. Along with his colleague Gunild Keetman, he developed the Orff Schulwerk, or Orff approach to music education. This is one of his most famous quotes. It represents that the child is an active participant in music-making. 

 Play! Celebrating Elementary Music Education in Manitoba!
Did you know that the Manitoba Orff Chapter is 45 years old? Founding president Morna-June Morrow established the chapter in 1975. Since then, the organization has grown to include 15 board members and over 200 Manitoba chapter members. The MOC Board of Directors works to support elementary music educators in our province. Today's Play! post highlights some of the work the MOC does each year in Manitoba. Check out page 3 of the Spring 2021 Edition of the Manitoba Modes to learn more about the history of the chapter.  

 Today is day 4 of Play! Celebrating Elementary Music Education in Manitoba. Today's post looks back at past Play! events featuring students, music educators, and elementary music education supporters.  

 Whyte Ridge School

 In Fall 2020, the MOC Board created their very own virtual Orff ensemble. Enjoy their performance as they make music together while apart. Stay tuned! Since we could not gather together to celebrate Play! this year, the MOC put out a call for participants for a student virtual Orff ensemble. Their performance premieres on the final day of Play! on June 11  

  Play! Une célébration de l’enseignement de la musique élémentaire au Manitoba!
Carl Orff était un compositeur et professeur de musique allemand. Avec son collègue, Gunild Keetman, il a développé le Orff Schulwerk; une approche à l’enseignement de la musique. Cette approche se calque sur la façon la plus efficace dont les enfants apprennent : par le jeu! 

Orff is alive and well, but, what is Orff? 

This video made by our friends at the Ontario Orff Chapter explains what the Orff approach is. See how the elements work together to provide all children with the opportunity to learn, play, and explore music!

We are one week into our virtual event, Play! Celebrating Elementary Music Education in Manitoba!

We are counting down to the premiere of the student virtual Orff Ensemble on June 11th which includes over 40 students from across Manitoba!

Today, enjoy this quote from Carl Orff about elemental music:

​“Elemental music is never just music. It’s bound up with movement, dance and speech, and so it is a form of music in which one must participate, in which one is involved not as a listener but as a co-performer.”

   Music education plays an important role in the lives of Manitoba students. Learn the importance of music education from Janelle Forcand (Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy Coordinator), Tracy Dahl (Canadian Coloratura Soprano) and students, Harjas and Emilie.   

   Janelle Forcand

Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy Coordinator

  But wait, what is Orff? Learn more about Carl Orff's approach to music education from this photo and from this video from our friends at the American Orff Schulwerk Association.    

  Music education is essential in Manitoba schools. Learn more from Principal and Coalition for Music Education's Principal of Music Award Recipient Jane Couch, high school Band and Jazz Band educator Matt Abraham, and students Juliana and Sachmeet. 

  Our final advocacy statement comes from Dianne Sjoberg. Dianne is a retired music and physical education specialist, Orff Levels instructor, and Honorary Lifetime Member of Carl Orff Canada.  

    Play! Celebrating Elementary Music Education in Manitoba.
This video looks back at past Play! events featuring students, music educators, and elementary music education supporters.  

  The MOC was not able to bring children's performing groups together in person this year, so instead, Manitoba students, with the support of their school music educator, were invited to learn instrumental and movement parts to a piece from the Orff Schulwerk volumes. Their video submissions resulted in this amazing, virtual performance!
This final video is a representation of the high quality music programs in elementary schools across Manitoba. The students in this video demonstrate exceptional focus, precision, musicianship, and dedication to doing their very best at "making music together, while we are apart".
The Manitoba Orff Chapter would like to thank all those involved for their contributions to this project, with a special thank you to the over 40 Manitoba students, representing 18 Manitoba schools, making music "the Orff way"!