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Orff Institute 2026

We are excited to welcome you to the 2026 Orff Institute at UNCW, a two-week immersive professional development event in Orff-Schulwerk courses from June 15–26, 2026.

These summer professional development courses are for music teachers and provide 60 contact hours, include interdisciplinary literacy credit and emphasize teaching with creative joy! All courses are nationally accredited and feature award-winning instructors. 

Features

  • American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) Approved
  • 60 Contact Hours
  • Optional Graduate Credit with National Board Certification
  • On-Campus Housing Available
  • Digital Badge for Each Level Completed

What is Orff-Schulwerk?

Orff-Schulwerk is an internationally recognized approach to teaching music and movement. Developed by German composer Carl Orff, educator Gunild Keetman and their colleagues, this creative and interdisciplinary method is used by thousands of educators worldwide to inspire students and enhance music education.

Event Details

Interested participants will register via the UNCW Community Music Academy. Read on for more details about courses and the option to stay on campus.

  • Dates: June 15–26, 2026
  • Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
  • Courses: Levels I & III Orff Courses
  • Location: On-Campus in the Cultural Arts Building
Register today!

Registration

Below are the registration options and associated fees for the 2026 Orff Institute.

Course Registration

  • Early Bird Registration: Due April 1
  • General Registration: Due May 15

On-Campus Housing Option

Participants of the 2026 Orff Institute have the option to stay on campus in Seahawk Village during the two-week event. On-campus housing provides convenient access to all courses and activities, creating an immersive learning experience.

Additional Information

  • Details about on-campus parking are TBA.
  • Fees do not include required materials.
  • Accepted payment methods are check or credit card*.
    *Note: Credit card payments include an additional 2% processing fee.

Course Fees

Please note that fees do not include required materials.

Course Registration Only

  • $345 for early bird registration, due April 1
  • $395 for regular registration, due May 15

Registration with On-Campus Housing

  • $830 for early bird registration, due April 1
  • $880 for regular registration, due May 15

Please note that fees do not include required materials.

Course Registration Only

  • $395 for early bird registration, due April 1
  • $445 for regular registration, due May 15

Registration with On-Campus Housing

  • $880 for early bird registration, due April 1
  • $930 for regular registration, due May 15

Required & Recommended Course Materials

As an option, West Music offers a discount on these items if purchased directly from them.

Required

  • Music for Children I (Murray)
  • Rhythmische Ubung
  • Elemental Style, Part 1
  • Sweet Pipes Recorder Book, Soprano Book 1 (blue cover)
  • Descants in Consort
  • Yamaha YRS-302B Soprano Recorder (any 300 series)

Recommended

  • Creative Dance for All Ages (Gilbert)
  • Elementaria (Keetman)
  • Music for Children, Vol 2 (American Ed)
  • Play, Sing, Dance
  • Erstes Spiel am Xylophon (Beginning Exercises for Xylophone)
  • Recorder Improvisation and Technique Book 1 (Carley)

Required

  • Music for Children I (Murray)
  • Music for Children II (Murray)
  • Music for Children III (Murray)
  • Music for Children IV (Murray)
  • Music for Children V (Murray)
  • Rhythmische Ubung
  • Yamaha 300 series alto recorder
  • Yamaha 300 series soprano recorder
  • Recorder Improvisation and Technique Book 2 (Carley, 3rd ed.)
  • Recorder Consort I-Rosenberg
  • Creative Dance for All Ages (Gilbert)

Recommended

  • Music for Children, Vol 2 (American Ed)
  • Music for Children, Vol 3 (American Ed)
  • Re-Echoes, Book 2 (Carley, ed.)
  • Orff-Schulwerk: Reflections and Directions (Wang, ed.)
  • Stücke for Flőte & TrommelI (Keetman)
  • Sopranino Recorder (e.g. Yamaha YRN-302B)
Register today

What We Offer

UNCW offers two ways to participate in Orff Schulwerk training, each designed to meet different professional goals. Both options follow the same curriculum and provide the same instruction and experience. The difference is whether you choose to earn professional development hours or a graduate certificate.

Both options allow you to earn a Digital Certificate for each Orff Level completed.

2026 Orff Institute (Professional Development Option)

The Summer Institute is a noncredit version offered through the UNCW Community Music Academy. Upon completion, participants earn 60 hours of professional development credit.

Graduate Certificate in Orff Schulwerk

Music Education, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, is a for-credit option offered through the UNCW Graduate School and leads to a Graduate Certificate upon completion. Participants earn graduate credit that can support advanced academic or career goals.

Several participants playing a variety of instructments in classes centered around the Orff Approach, a developmental approach used in music education.

Testimonials

"Taking this Orff course at UNCW opened my mind to a world of new opportunities and ways to do more than just teach music. This course completely changed the way I teach! I now know how to lead students in activities that will help them experience and create music. I especially love how much it has pushed me as a teacher to give my students more opportunities to create and take ownership of the music."

Gabby Dauby
Gene Brown Elementary
Hendersonville, TN

"If I had one regret in my 36-year teaching career, it was not learning about Orff when I was much younger. The UNCW Orff course was an eye and an ear-opener. It gave me a reason to keep teaching at a time when I was considering retirement. Thanks for the great memories!"

Gus Cothern
Edgewood Elementary School
Whiteville, NC

"I was using creativity before, but now I know how to be more intentional about it. I got to feel the collaboration and creativity, and now I want my students to get that experience each time when they come to music class. Writing our own arrangements, creating an original lesson plan to share, and finally presenting it were all meaningful steps to put all of the process into practice."

Caroline Kanzler
Belville Elementary
Leland, NC

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A new book, “Lessons Learned” features lesson plans written by the first cohort of students in UNCW’s Graduate Certificate in Music Education and their instructors.

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