This workshop proposes to place the artistic+pedagogical spirit of the Orff-Schulwerk as developed by Orff and Keetman within the context of current music education practice. Using Principles of Orff Schulwerk that center the humans involved in collaborative musicking while ensuring creativity in improvisation and composition, the workshop demonstrates the interplay of process and product.
MANJU DURAIRAJ was born and raised in India, studied in Pune, India, and was involved in graduate research projects on comparative pedagogical practices of Indian (Carnatic) and Western Music at Middlesex University, London, UK. She graduated with her second master’s degree and K-12 certification from VanderCook College of Music, Chicago and is now the Lower School Music Teacher at the Latin School of Chicago. In service to her profession, Manju is vice president elect DEI of AOSA and past president of the Greater Chicago Orff Chapter, serves on the Elementary General Music Council of Illinois MEA, and is a certified Orff Schulwerk Levels Instructor as well as a certified Arts Integration specialist. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor at VanderCook College of Music, Chicago where she teaches curriculum design and elementary methods graduate and undergraduate courses.