Dr. Robert Amchin Showcases the Stretchy Band, Creative Movement, Orff Method
I'm always on the look for music and movement activities to share with you and a few years ago I came across a video by Dr. Robert Amchin with the stretchy band. Since that time he has even added more!
I'm excited to share these with you and explore how the stretchy band fits in with the Orff Schulwerk Method.
What is the Orff Method?
The Orff Schulwerk, or simply the Orff Approach, is a developmental approach used in music education. It combines music, movement, drama, and speech into lessons that are similar to child's world of play. It was developed by the German composer Carl Orff (1895–1982) and colleague Gunild Keetman during the 1920s. Carl Orff worked until the end of his life to continue the development and spread of his teaching method.
The Orff Approach is now used throughout the world to teach students in a natural and comfortable environment. The term "schulwerk" is German for (literally) "school work" or "schooling", in this regard in the area of music.
I also found this blog post very helpful: The Orff Approach to Music Education for Children
Here are a few excepts from it. If you aren't familiar with the Orff Method, I think you will enjoy reading the entire blog post.
The Orff approach is a way of introducing and teaching children about music on a level that they can easily comprehend.
Musical concepts are learned through singing, chanting, dance, movement, drama and the playing of percussion instruments. Improvisation, composition and a child's natural sense of play are encouraged.
A key characteristic of this approach is that lessons are presented with an element of play, which helps the children learn at their own level of understanding.
The Orff method can also be referred to as Orff-Schulwerk, Orff approach, or "Music for Children."
Dr. Robert Amchin Showcases the Stretchy Band, Creative Movement, Orff Method Share on X
About Dr. Robert Amchin
Dr. Robert A. Amchin, is distinguished teaching professor of music education and the concentration coordinator for music education at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. In 2006, he was made an honorary lifetime member of the Kentucky Orff Association and named a Distinguished Teaching Faculty member at Louisville in 2007.
Dr. Amchin holds degrees in Music Education from the New England Conservatory of Music, The University of Michigan and a teaching certificate from the Orff Institute. He is also a professional percussionist.
Dr. Amchin provides recorder, movement, and pedagogy instruction for Orff Schulwerk teacher training courses and is recognized as a general music clinician at local, state, national, and international levels. He has recently lectured in China, Israel, Poland, Canada, and Austria. In addition to workshops for teachers, he offers artist-in residence events with children.
Dr. Amchin was conference co-chair of the 2003 AOSA Conference and has presented at numerous sessions at National AOSA conferences. He has served as an MENC general music education mentor. Prior to teaching at the collegiate level, he taught elementary music in Spring, Texas. He continues to teach music to children in Louisville.
He also has written several books you can find Beatin' Path Publications.
Be sure to check out his YouTube channel and subscribe. I have showcased his stretchy band videos in the playlist below, but he has many that are a joy to watch and may inspire your creative juices. His circle dance videos would also be a good fit for the stretchy band or scarves.
Can you give some songs with the stretchy band for little ones please.
Hi Beverly! Check these links for some of my favorites! Janet
https://www.youtube.com/c/Bearpawcreek/videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9_uXcP_wtMQGxThIm4Sh4C-ELIlEqk67
Great post! Inspiring me on these gray days. I need to pull the stretchy bands out with my girls.
Thank you I did not know you had replied The kids are 7 months till 2 in the parent class and 2-3 in the other class. I do use a lot of your songs. Any suggestions for these very little ones? How do I know if there is a reply?
My email is beverleyrlewin@gmail.com.
Thank you for what you do.