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Stewart Orff Ensemble
The Stewart Orff Ensemble was the elective general music class for interested 7th and 8th grade students. Although several of the members were in band and some were also in the choir, most of them were simply interested in learning more about music by playing the percussion instruments and the alto and bass recorders. Several members of the class composed pieces for the ensemble. Composition was encouraged in this class and several pieces written by Orff members were performed at concerts over the years. The Stewart Orff Ensemble performed at the Fall and Spring Concerts. The 8th grade Orff Ensemble also performed in the community, for the local elementary schools and for the school Pops Concert at the end of each year.
The 7th grade Orff Ensemble performed at the Winter and Spring Recitals at the end of each semester. These informal performances were held at 4:00 pm in the school cafeteria and were very well attended. The ensemble was able to perform songs and demonstrate activities that were not demonstrated at the larger Fall or Spring concerts.
The Stewart Orff Ensemble performed at the Virginia Music Educators Converence; at James Madison University's "Mallet Madness;" for the opening session of the American Orff Schulwerk Association National Conference in Tampa Florida; and at Radford University's "Marimba Madness." The ensemble was the demonstration group for Mr. Holl's session "A Pallet of Color" at the National MENC Conference in Washington D. C. The ensemble performed for the combined session of the Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County Elemetary schools at the opening of school and for the Augusta County Fine Arts Festival.
Listen to the 8th Grade Orff Ensemble!
Listen to the 7th Grade Orff Ensemble!
What do students learn in Orff Ensemble?
When students are able to play difficult music from beginning to end without being distracted, they learn focus.
When students play instruments together, joining their parts in perfect synchronization, they learn accuracy.
When everyone is still in that moment before the music starts and just after the last note, they learn quiet.
When listening and concentration are maintained through the entire song, they learn discipline.
When students become aware that their part must fit with everyone's part they learn to listen.
When students practice a long time to play a little music well, they learn patience.
When they refrain from talking and interrupting in rehearsal, they learn respect.
When they shout and celebrate after playing that very difficult piece well for the first time, the learn perseverance.
When they perform that difficult piece successfully in concert, they learn genuine pride and self-esteem.
Research shows time and again that students have only to gain from involvement in the arts.
A well organized sustained education in music gives your child intellectual and creative skills that last a lifetime.
Monsieur!
Music is a language. It speaks. If my students could speak as well - I would be as content as you are! The best speaking students are those who speak from the heart. Those students do well because their learning is the result of loving.
Bravo for the concert,
Leon
Stewart Choir / Fun With Music / Stewart Orff Ensemble / Shen Fine / Brent Holl / Beatin' Path Publications
Back to the Stewart Choir and Orff Ensemble Page
updated 5/1/06