Orff Schulwerk: Improvisation in the Elementary Classroom

All children can improvise! In this session, we will explore improvisation for all elementary-aged children! Using the Orff Schulwerk process, participants will experience how easy it is to get children to improvise in the elementary music classroom. We will use speech, games, and rhythmic building bricks to help children gain confidence to create all on their own!

Josh Southard 

Smoky Row Elementary, Carmel Clay Schools
Elementary Music Specialist

Josh is the Music Specialist at Smoky Row Elementary School in Carmel, IN. There he teaches K-5 music. He has completed all three levels of Orff-Schulwerk certification, as well as Orff Curriculum and Composition at Anderson University. He is a past president of the Indiana Orff Schulwerk Association, and in 2011, he was appointed to the American Orff Schulwerk Association's Historical Committee, where he served as the Chairperson of the committee from 2014-2017. Recently, he was elected to the National Board of Trustees of the American Orff Schulwerk Association, serving as the Regional VI Representive. Josh is a featured presenter at Orff workshops around the country, state and national conferences. He also has had an article published in the American Orff Schulwerk Association's national publication, the Orff Echo. Josh is an approved Level I Orff instructor and teaches courses in Gwinnett County in Atlanta, GA, DePaul University in Chicago, IL, and Anderson University.

The FMEA Professional Development Conference and All-State Ensembles receive support in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.