Level I This course includes the basic study of Orff techniques such as the pentatonic scale, simple borduns, the ostinato, and playing pitched and unpitched percussion instruments and the soprano recorder. Topics and skills in this highly participatory course will also include vocal and rhythmic training, movement, and improvisation. A degree in music or strong musicianship is required.

Level II This course builds on the foundations laid in Level I. Folk melodies, all diatonic modes, mixed meter, and rhythms from many parts of the world are included. Accompaniments, musical forms, and improvisations are more complex. Both alto and soprano recorders are studied. Music, movement, and speech are synthesized in cooperative learning lessons. Successful completion of an AOSA approved Level I course is required.

Level III Participants will continue to engage and develop skills in the principles of the Orff Schulwerk approach. Introduction of the following concepts: arranging and composing pieces via polymeters and functional harmony, further developing deeper creative movement vocabulary/technique using uneven steps and asymmetrical meters in dance, and the use of both soprano and alto recorders (and additional consort sizes) as instruments and instructional tools in the musical classroom. Written homework will be assigned nightly to help participants reflect and synthesize material. 

More information: Orff Schulwerk

For Nazareth Students:

1. Complete the Orff Levels Courses registration/screening form. If you are not sure that the course is the right fit for you, please e-mail Dr. Koster, kkoster8@naz.edu
2. Also complete the usual Naz course registration process

• Level I: MED550-50 MED550, Summer B, 2025
• Level II: MED560-50, Summer B, 2025
• Level III: MED570-50, Summer B, 2025)

Tuition: $1045/credit hour x 3 credits = $3,135*
Graduate Supplemental Fee: $110/semester
Total: $3,245

*Rate is subject to change. For details, please reach out to Dr. Keith Koster or Kathleen Sullivan or Al Heary

For non-Nazareth Students:

1. Complete the Orff Levels Courses registration/screening form. If you are not sure that the course is the right fit for you, please e-mail Dr. Koster, kkoster8@naz.edu
2. Complete the top half of the Nazareth University Graduate Non-Matriculated Student Approval Form and email that form to Dr. Keith Koster, kkoster8@naz.edu, or send the form to Dr. Keith Koster, Program Director, Graduate Studies in Music Education, School of Music, Nazareth University, 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618
3. The Nazareth University Registration & Records Office will send you confirmation along with information about how to register for either
   • Level I: MED 550-50 MED550, Summer B, 2025
   • Level II: MED 560-50, Summer B, 2025
   • Level III: MED 570-50, Summer B, 2025

Tuition: $1045/credit hour x 3 credits = $3,135*
Graduate Supplemental Fee: $110/semester*
Total: $3,245*

*Rate is subject to change. For details, please reach out to Dr. Keith Koster,  Kathleen Sullivan or Al Heary 

Registration opens December 7.

Payment: Pay by credit card online or by a check or purchase order made payable to Nazareth University, mailed to Dr. Keith Koster, School of Music, Nazareth University, 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618. Check or purchase order is preferred.

Once payment has been received, you will be officially enrolled in the course.

For Nazareth Students:

1. Complete the Orff Levels Courses registration/screening form. If you are not sure that the course is the right fit for you, please e-mail Dr. Koster, kkoster8@naz.edu
2. Also complete the usual Naz course registration process for either:
   • For Level I: MED 550-50 MED550, Summer B, 2025
   • For Level II: MED 560-50, Summer B, 2025
   • For Level III: MED 570-50, Summer B, 2025

Tuition: $1045/credit hour x 3 credits = $3,135*
Registration Fee: $35
Total: $3,170

*Rate is subject to change.  For details, please reach out to Dr. Keith Koster or Kathleen Sullivan or Al Heary

For non-Nazareth Students:

1. Complete the Orff Levels Courses registration/screening form. If you are not sure that the course is the right fit for you, please e-mail Dr. Koster, kkoster8@naz.edu
2. Complete the top half of the Nazareth University Graduate Non-Matriculated Student Approval Form and email that form to Dr. Keith Koster, kkoster8@naz.edu, or mail the form to Dr. Keith Koster, Program Director, Graduate Studies in Music Education, School of Music, Nazareth University, 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618.
3. The Nazareth University Registration & Records Office will send you confirmation along with information about how to register for either
   • Level I: MED 550-50 MED550, Summer B, 2025
   • Level II: MED 560-50, Summer B, 2025
   • Level III: MED 570-50, Summer B, 2025

Registration opens December 7.

Payment: Pay by credit card online or by a check or purchase order made payable to Nazareth University, mailed to Dr. Keith Koster, School of Music, Nazareth University, 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618. Check or purchase order is preferred.

Once payment has been received, you will be officially enrolled in the course.

Cost (includes registration fee $35):

Note: If you are an undergraduate student at Nazareth University OR at another institution, get approval from Dr. Koster (kkoster8@naz.edu) by completing step 1, before you pay.

1. Complete the Orff Levels Courses registration/screening form. If you are not sure that the course is the right fit for you, please also e-mail Dr. Koster, kkoster8@naz.edu
2. Pay by credit card online or by a check or purchase order made payable to Nazareth University, mailed to Dr. Keith Koster, School of Music, Nazareth University, 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618. Check or purchase order is preferred.

Cost (includes registration fee $35)

Complete the Orff Levels Courses registration/screening form. If you are not sure that the course is the right fit for you, please also e-mail Dr. Koster, kkoster8@naz.edu

Pay by credit card online or by a check or purchase order made payable to Nazareth University, mailed to Dr. Keith Koster, School of Music, Nazareth University, 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618. Check or purchase order is preferred.

Daily Schedule 2024

BethAnn Hepburn, M.A. Music Education, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. BethAnn teaches general music and choir for Streetsboro City Schools. BethAnn is the music mentor for the Ohio Department of Education Fine Arts Cohort for new teachers. She serves as the Ohio Music Education Association’s Professional Development Chair for General Music and is on the NAfME General Music Council. She is a frequent presenter and Teacher Educator for AOSA.
She is a former National Board Member for the American Orff-Schulwerk Association and on the AOSA Mentorship committee. BethAnn is co-author of Purposeful Pathways: Possibilities for the Elementary Music Classroom Books 1 -4. She is a Ph. D. candidate in Music Education at Kent State University.

Dena Byers is Artistic Director for the Durham Children’s Choir (DCC)
and has been with the organization since its founding in 2004. She
currently teaches at Hillandale Elementary School and serves as one of
the lead elementary music teachers. Dena has taught for Durham Public
Schools since 1997. She is National Board Certified and has been
honored by being a top four finalist for District Teacher of the Year and
receiving the NC Symphony’s Jackson Parkhurst Award for Special
Achievement in music education. An active member of the American
Choral Directors Association and the American Orff-Schulwerk
Association, Dena has been a guest conductor for All-State Honor
Choirs in Colorado, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and South Carolina,
as well as District All-County Choirs in North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Wyoming. She has presented workshops
for Orff Schulwerk chapters throughout the US and at National AOSA
Professional Development Conferences.

Dena currently teaches Level II Orff Schulwerk at the University of
Memphis each summer. She received BA degrees in Music Education
and Vocal Performance from the University of Connecticut, a Master of
Music from the University of Minnesota and holds Level III and Master
Level Orff Schulwerk Certifications from the University of Nevada-Las
Vegas and the University of Memphis, respectively.

Connie VanEngen is the music specialist at Bell Prairie Elementary and was named Teacher of the Year in 2013 for North Kansas City schools. She has served as AOSA Region III Representative and Recording Secretary. Connie is an active presenter and also teaches Level III Orff Schulwerk Basic Pedagogy at Trinity University, Baker University and also Nazareth University School of Music in Rochester, NY.

Amy Fenton has 30 years of experience teaching elementary music and
movement to children in public schools in Arizona and Michigan. She
has also taught beginning band and elementary, middle school and
secondary choir. Amy holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance (with a minor in Flute) and post-baccalaureate certification in Music Education
from The University of Arizona. She also holds Master of Education
degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University.

Amy was named the 2018 Michigan Music Educator of the Year and
awarded 2019 Michigan Arts Educator of the Year.
Amy has presented sessions at multiple AOSA Professional
Development Conferences. She is a frequent workshop presenter at the
local, state and national levels. Amy has been a recorder pedagogy
teacher for AOSA Teacher Education courses in Texas, Michigan
and Connecticut. She has served as President of the Mid-Michigan Orff
Schulwerk Association. Amy is a past member of the AOSA National
Board of Trustees, having served one term as Region VI Representative
and two terms as AOSA Treasurer. Amy has chaired the AOSA Fund
Development Committee, the AOSA Post Level III Committee and the
Recorder Teacher Apprenticeship Panel. She currently serves as a
mentor in the AOSA Apprenticeship Academy Cohort.

Ben Torres teaches K-5 general music at Woodlawn Elementary in the Clarksville Montgomery County School System. Prior to this, he taught K-6 general music at Brentfield Elementary in Dallas, TX where he was chosen as teacher of the year and his choral and Orff ensembles were selected to perform at TMEA and AOSA Professional Development Conferences.