News from the National Executive

Your National Executive has undertaken several exciting initiatives to promote quality music education throughout Canada. Committees made up of National Executive members and representatives from Chapters across Canada are developing new models for Orff teacher training, based on the pedagogical philosophy and approach of Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman.

Orff Training for Non-Specialist Teachers

The incidence of classroom teachers being asked to deliver their own music programs is on the rise in many school districts across Canada. Often, these teachers have little or no experience with, or training in music, and lack confidence and skills in areas such as sight-reading, rhythmic awareness, and knowledge of musical terminology. At the same time, they are often asked to deliver a curriculum that is demanding, and content-driven.

Music for Children - Carl Orff Canada - Musique pour enfants has developed and piloted a teacher training program to meet the needs of these teachers. The model begins at the experiential level of the classroom teacher, and moves along a continuum of skill and concept development.

Please contact the President, who is chairperson of this committee, for further information.

Post -Level III Certification

As more and more Canadians have completed their Level III Orff courses, demand has grown for further opportunities to hone and refine skills and pedagogy.

Prior to September 2007, institutions offering courses would apply to Carl Orff Canada to have that course endorsed as a Post Level III course. Level III graduates who had taken three Post Level III endorsed courses would then apply to the Endorsement Committee of Carl Orff Canada for a Post Level III Certificate.

As of September 2007, institutions will no longer apply for Post Level III endorsement. Level III graduates taking a course that meets the requirements of the Post Level III certificate may apply to the Endorsement Committee to have that course endorsed as one of 3 components of a Post Level III Certificate.

Please note that Level III graduates who completed endorsed Post Level III courses prior to September 2007 may still use these courses as part of their Post Level III Certificate requirements.

For further information, Please contact the Second Vice-President.

Endorsement of Teacher Training Courses

Carl Orff Canada endorses Canadian teacher training courses which meet the high standards set out in Carl Orff Canada's guidelines. Endorsement allows members of Carl Orff Canada to identify those courses that meet the National Guidelines for Orff levels courses. Experience and expertise of teaching staff, course length, topics studied, and means of assessment are examples of criteria for endorsement.

As of 2008 endorsement procedures are in place for Introductory Orff and Levels I, II, III and Post Level III.  The guidelines for Introduction to Orff for the Generalist are currently under revision. This course will continue to be offered but until new guidelines are ratified by the National Executive it will not be included in the endorsement process and endorsement status will not apply to it.

The following Levels courses have been endorsed by Carl Orff Canada: Nova Scotia Chapter Courses, Cape Breton University, Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, Uqàm through Orff Québec, University of Manitoba, University of Regina, University of Alberta, and Vancouver Community College (with the BC Orff Chapter).

Please contact the Second Vice-President for further information on Course Endorsement.

COC Mentorship Program for Levels Course Instructors

This program prepares teachers to be Level I Basic Orff instructors in an Orff Levels Course.

People who are interested in teaching Level I Basic Orff in a levels course in Canada can apply to be a mentor candidate. If the application is approved by the Mentorship Committee of Carl Orff Canada, the candidate is matched with an experienced mentor teacher and works closely with that person while fulfilling the requirements to complete the program.

For further information, contact First Vice-President, chair of the COC Mentorship Committee.