To view and/or download the complete 2010 NNJOSA Fall Newsletter, click here.

President's Message - Fall 2010

Dear Members and Colleagues:

Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year and the Northern New Jersey Orff Schulwerk Chapter Workshop Series.
I hope that you have entered the journey of the new school year well-rested, relaxed and rejuvenated from the
extremely hot summer that is now quickly passing into history. I would also like to particularly welcome both
the returning and new Executive Board Members who will serve you during the coming year! Please check out
the listing in this newsletter and thank them for their service and dedication to our chapter.

You are aware that the chapter has now been firmly established with our location on the campus of William
Paterson University. This was a positive move for both our chapter members as well as the students from both
William Paterson University and Caldwell College who have joined us more frequently to explore the many
facets of the Schulwerk. I especially wish to thank Dr. Diane Falk-Romaine, the former chair of the Music
Department, for welcoming the chapter to WPU and to Dr. Carol Frierson-Campbell (current Chair-Music
Department) for her support of and interest in our chapter activities.

The Saturday morning schedule of workshops, presenters, and detailed descriptions for 2010-2011 can be
found on the chapter website (www.nnjosa.com).  If you have not visited the site, please check it out. Special
thanks to Natalie Ernstes for her time and talent in keeping the site in order.

The program of presenters for our fall workshops is sure to provide you with new ideas and thoughts for fall
and winter activities.  We begin on September 25th with Michelle Fella Pryzbylowski from the Philadelphia
area who takes her workshop idea from the poet Dryden – “Mighty Things from Small Beginnings Grow.”
Michelle has had extensive experience in teaching elementary music (grades K-4) as well as presenting
workshops and leading summer Orff Schulwerk Teaching Training courses.

October 23rd brings Dr. Robert Amchin to our chapter for a return visit. He is a Distinguished Teaching 
Professor of Music Education at the University of Louisville where he teaches both undergraduate and
graduate classes to music and non-music majors. Rob studied at the Orff Institute in Salzburg and has
been a regular presenter at AOSA Conferences as well as giving workshops on both the national and
international level. He invites us to “Sing and Play throughout the Fall and Winter Seasons”—a great way
to gain a wealth of new ideas for our students.

Have you made your reservations for the 2010 AOSA Conference in Spokane, Washington this November?
I am looking forward to these special days (November 3-6) in order to experience outstanding sessions,
presenters and performances. Our conference sharing session will bring the best of the conference to you
on November 20th. This is a great time for sharing the latest materials and resources—from both national
and international Orff specialists.

As you can see, both the fall (and spring) workshops are full of terrific professional development
opportunities for our chapter members. I will discuss the spring workshops in the winter newsletter,
but please take note of the dates: Feburary 5th (with 12th as a snow date) - Chapter Sharing;
March 5th - Michael Chandler; and April 2nd - Shoshanah Drake.

We are all aware of what has been happening in New Jersey and our educational system due to the massive
budget cuts and reduction of arts programs in some districts.  Although this is a difficult time, it is still
vitally important that arts teachers maintain our skills and provide our students with the best music
education that is possible.  Our chapter will remain steadfast in helping you to meet these goals.

See you on September 25th!

Thomas Charsky, President

 September 25, 2010 - Michelle Fella Przybyowski

“Mighty Things from small beginnings Grow” - J. Dryden ~ Imitate, explore, and create through the basics
of sound, beat, rhythm, and pitch.  Discover the elements of music in folk songs, and pieces from the Music
For Children Volumes.

October 23, 2010 - Robert Amchin

Sing and Play Throughout the Fall and Winter Season ~ Come explore the many varied possibilities for
celebration of both the fall and winter seasons using a variety of traditional American songs, as well as songs
from around the world. The session will also explore basic Orff process, including modeling for teaching
accompaniments, learning songs in other languages, and other teaching strategies.

November 20, 2010 - Conference Sharing
2010 AOSA Professional Development Conference
Rhythms of the River ~ Flowing from the Source - November 3-6, Spokane, Washington
Not able to get to the conference? Chapter members will bring highlights of the conference to you – 
sessions from top-notch clinicians.  Come and be inspired.

February 5, 2011 - Chapter Sharing (snow date: February 12th)

Do you have/want to share a stellar lesson with others? Here is where our own gifted and talented members
share their proven lessons.  You each have a great lesson in your back pocket. Contact Judy Szybist to
schedule your time.

March 5, 2011 - Michael Chandler

Back to the Basics: Using Keetman’s Elementaria ~ Gunild Keetman was one of Carl Orff’s greatest
collaborators in helping to formulate the ideas of the Schulwerk. This workshop will bring to life the book
“Elementaria” which was written by Keetman at Orff’s request in order to provide a fundamental, practical
handbook for Orff-Schulwerk--and serve as a primary source for understanding the process.  Experiences
with the rhythmic and melodic exercises, as well movement training, will be included. This is one workshop
not to be missed!!

April 2, 2011 - Shoshannah Drake

Inspiration Everywhere ~ This workshop will focus on ideas inspired by math, literature, and science used
to explore the Schulwerk.  Participants will sing, move, and play a variety of pieces that will excite elementary
students of all ages. They will also use their own inspiration to create and share new musical ideas.