About Workshops

Each year, the Calgary Orff Chapter is proud to present three fantastic professional development workshops. Each clinician will explore different ways of incorporating the Orff Schulwerk method into your music classroom. 

For the 2018-2019 Season, workshops will be held at Dalhausie School (4440 Dallyn Street NW). They will run from 8:30 am - 1:30 pm. Doors will open at 8:00 am for registration and check-in. 

See Membership for registration details. 

---

Upcoming Workshops

Treasures of Literacy: Addressing Music Concepts with Children's Literature
Presented by Thom Borden
Saturday, January 12, 2019

Workshop Description
Favorite children's literature selections are used to provide experiences with music concepts. Introduce elemental Orff and Kodaly concepts through the joy of story telling, poetry and familiar story telling strategies.  Movement, body percussion and performance suggestions will be explored as music concepts are prepared and exploration and improvisational opportunities are provided.  Session handout will include a complete bibliography as well as processed teaching suggestions. 

Presenter Bio
Thom Borden has a B.S. in Music Education and an M.A. in Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction focused in Reading. He completed Orff Levels at UNLV and an Orff Master Level at the University of Memphis under Jos Wytac. Advanced studies include music and movement in Paris as well as Kodaly training and certification through CSU with Sr. Lorna Zemke. He is Past President of the Greater Chicago Orff Chapter and has presented at numerous AOSA and OAKE Conferences. He has presented in Australia, Canada, and China and presents at Orff and Kodaly chapters across the United States and Canada each year. Currently teaching PreK-5 in Las Vegas, Thom served as the AOSA Diversity Committee Chair and has published Orff arrangements in the McGraw-Hill series, Spotlight on Music and Music Studio. He has published several publications on using manipulatives in the music classroom and using children's literature to address music concepts and skills.

Taiko and Song
Presented by Holger Mauthe and Paula Midori-Niekar
Saturday, March 9, 2019

Workshop Description
Taiko (Japanese drums) is an engaging, eye-catching rhythmic experience, that can be taught to all ages and skill levels. Captivating Taiko rhythms enhanced with simple and fun choreography will let the participants feel the music to their core and develop their coordination and inner sense of rhythm. In this course we will be teaching traditional Japanese songs, rhythm games, and movement, that you can use to engage your children while they learn about Taiko drumming technique and traditions. You will be a Taiko student for the day, so be ready to move! Please come with comfortable clothing, and comfortable shoes or barefoot. You will be singing, dancing, moving, and drumming! This workshop will also include a demonstration by MRU Taiko Students.
 
Presenter Bio
Paula Midori-Nieckar is an active taiko performer and teacher in Calgary. She has studied taiko with members of KODO, TaikoPROJECT, and the Los Angeles Taiko Institute. With a background in classical music and ballet, Paula loves the rhythmic styles of taiko, and incorporates flowing arm movements and a dance-like quality to her taiko performance. She is also the Artistic Director for Yama no Oto taiko performance ensemble. 
 
Holger Mauthe studied music and movement pedagogy at the Orff Institute in Salzburg where he was first introduced to Taiko drumming by Sofia Lopez-Ibor. He is teaching at MRU Conservatory, started studying Taiko with Paula in September 2017 and is excited about sharing this physical, fun-filled, whole-body style of drumming with the Calgary Orff Community.

Optional Pre-Workshop Activity:
Build-Your-Own Taiko! Paula and Holger will be offering a tutorial on how to make an affordable Taiko-style drum using garbage cans and your own set of bachi (taiko drumsticks). All necessary materials will be provided.
Date:                  Friday March 8, 2019, at 7:00 pm
Location:          #100 - 403 31 Ave NE
Material Cost: $35 for a drum and a pair of bachi
RSVP: Fill out the online form by February 9, 2019.
https://goo.gl/forms/AJ1YzPzc6sEfQrtA3