Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Introduction

Hello!  My name is Mona Mann.  I am a general music specialist with full certification in Orff-Schulwerk.  I am also a recorder teacher trainer for other music teachers in Orff-Schulwerk training courses.
School Photograph

My musical background is in flute and recorder.  In addition, I play the piano and love to sing.  I have an undergraduate degree in Flute and French from Indiana University, Bloomington and a Master's in Music Education from Northern Illinois University.  Between my undergraduate degree and my Master's, I spent three years studying flute and baroque flute in France at the Conservatoire National de Region de Strasbourg.

I came to music education in a somewhat roundabout way.  My parents are both educators and I was determined to do something different from teaching with my life.  I spent a number of years studying music, not knowing where it would take me, but reluctant to embrace teaching.  I discovered Orff-Schulwerk in graduate school and within a few hours of my first workshop, I knew with certainty that this kind of teaching was what I wanted to do with my life.  From that point on, I was headed on a clear path of music education through Orff-Schulwerk.

I have been lucky enough to work in two excellent school districts which supported and promoted these kinds of music programs.  I have been active in my local chapter, the Greater Chicago American Orff-Schulwerk Assocication for over ten years.  Visit  www.gcaosa.org for more information about the Chicago workshop series.  At the national level, I have been a member of AOSA and attended the national conference in various locations across the United States for over ten years as well.

If you are interested in learning more about Orff-Schulwerk, please click the link below:
www.aosa.org

I look forward to sharing my thoughts and ideas about music education through Orff-Schulwerk through this blog, and particularly my passion for teaching recorder to young people.

Yamaha Alto Recorder
Photo Courtesy of West Music Co.



7 comments:

  1. My parents are educators too and I was also determined to do something different, in the world of art rather than music. I guess we got either that dominant or recessive teaching gene!

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  2. My mother was a teacher too. I tried something different, but like you, found myself following in her footsteps. Thanks for posting the information on Orff-Schulwerk.

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  3. I had never heard of Orff-Schulwerk before! Liked learning about something that has been so important to you!

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  4. A lovely journey...and through Strasbourg, too! I sincerely hope you've forgiven my flute solo from your Kindergarten visit. C'est merveilleux qu'on a le français et la flûte en commun!

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  5. I am completely unfamiliar with Orff-Schulwerk... you've given me something new to learn about! Is it something that can be used with toddlers?

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  6. When we taught together at Hatch, you smiled and were happy every day. I am glad you found your happy place. Thank you for being so inspiring.

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  7. Everyone took my comments (I need to be quicker...). Thanks for sharing your fascinating journey and including a link to Orff-Schulwerk. Like others, I had no idea!

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