Welcome to the FMS Music Blog! We have had an exciting beginning to our new school year! I am Ms. Melissa Martin (and because there are three Ms. Melissa’s on campus, my last name becomes important.) I am the new music teacher at FMS and I am so excited to share my love of music with our students. However, I am not new to Foothills, as I have taught here for the last 16 years, the last 13 in Lower Elementary with Ms. April.

Also, I am not “new” to music. I have played the clarinet since I was in 7th grade and I have also sung in numerous choirs over the years. I have an elementary major with a music minor, and have also completed two levels of Orff training. I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to use this knowledge with the students at Foothills Montessori School.

If you are wondering what in the world Orff is, here is quick synopsis of the Orff Shulwerk approach to teaching music.

“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 the 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.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orff_Schulwerk (follow the link for more information about Orff Shulwerk)

Orff Schulwerk follows developmental levels by teaching to children’s ability range according to their ages. We use games, songs, movement, rhythmic training, and playing of barred and unpitched instruments to create music and understanding of musical concepts.

We begin with imitation (the most natural place to start) and move through exploration, improvisation, and visualization. This month every grade level has had to opportunity to play some kind of instrument, and participate in varied games, songs, and movement activities. I love to see the children’s concentration, and cooperation as they work together to accomplish creating music in our classes. It is going to be a wonderful year in Music at FMS!