Levels Course Info

Learn the fundamentals of Orff Schulwerk, an active approach to music education. This course will include speech, singing, and movement activities, as well as playing recorder, Orff instruments, and unpitched percussion. Spend two weeks in Des Moines at Drake University learning the fundamental principles of the Orff Approach. This child-centered way of learning music will encourage your students to enjoy music-making while enhancing their awareness of space, time, form, line, color, design, and mood. Both individually and in groups, children must learn important concepts by doing hands-on activities that allow them to explore and create.

This course is offered in person, on campus, from June 15-18, 20, & 22-26. 

Classes will meet Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. This includes an hour-long lunch break.

On Saturday, June 20th, it will be from 8:30 AM - 1:45 PM, with no lunch break.

Required Materials:

• Music For Children Vol 1

• Elementaria

• Soprano Recorder – Specifically, the Yamaha 300 series model

• Descants for Recorder by Kenneth Simpson

• Sweet Pipes Recorder Book for Soprano (blue) by Burakoff & Hettrick

Recommended Materials:

• Spielbuch fur Xylophon 1

• Rhythnische Übung

• Step Lively by Marian Rose

• Step Lively #3 by Marian Rose

• Creative Dance for All Ages by Anne Green Gilbert

• Chimes of Dunkirk by the New England Dancing Masters

• Listen to the Mockingbird by the New England Dancing Masters

• Teaching Movement and Dance by Phyllis Weikart

Last year, the 2025 course cost $810 with the option to add on printed notes for $10. 

It was also an option to sign up for three graduate credits through Drake University for $301.

Applicants must be current AOSA members and must be enrolled in this summer’s Levels Course at Drake University to be considered for the scholarship.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact the FIO Exec Board at firstiowaorff@gmail.com

📌 Scholarship Details: Three scholarships of $200 each will be awarded to selected applicants. Winners will receive their scholarship payment on-site during the summer Levels Course.

📅 Application Deadline: June 30th, 2025

📢 Results Announcement: Applicants will be notified via email by July 14th, 2025

Apply here: (link coming soon)

Please use the registration link for our course to express your interest in Grad Credit through Drake University. 

This year's quote from Drake is $301 for three credits! (tuition and fees are included)

The Continuing Ed Department at Drake has asked that we send the contact information of interested attendees to them directly. Then they will send you the directions for grad credit registration. Since this is through Drake, it is subject to their terms and conditions. First Iowa Orff is not affiliated with this process beyond sharing the contact info of those who expressed interest.

Option 1: On-Campus Dorms - An official link to sign up for housing will be here soon!

• $42 per night for a single room

• $30 per night, per bed for a double room (with a roommate)

• $15 for a linen packet, if requested (includes a fitted sheet, top sheet, heavier blanket, pillow, pillowcase, hand towel, washcloth, and bath towel).

• If individuals want to "check out" over the weekend to save costs, they'll need to take all their belongings, then "check in" again. If a linen packet was purchased, they'll need to return it before checking out, and it will need to be purchased again if desired. 

Option 2: Just-Off-Campus Hotel

• There is a Home2Suites right next to campus that is an easily walkable distance from the Fine Arts Center! Although we won't have enough registrants to reserve a hotel block, you can book with them directly. 

• You can find their costs using the link above or here.

Option 3: Just do your own thing!

• Many people will commute from out of town, stay with friends or family, or figure out cheaper options. It's totally up to you how much you'd like to pay for convenience and accommodations during the two-week course. 

Parking passes are not required, but they can make the morning commute easier!

This year's price from Drake is $30 for a two-week pass on campus. The link to purchase it is here!

Other alternatives include:

• Finding free parking around campus each day. This could result in a 10-15 minute walk to the Harmon Fine Arts Center.

• Using the Park DSM app. 

"Music education undergraduate students are encouraged to take Level I after their Junior year of study, and before their student teaching or final clinical internship, as an excellent way to support success in the classroom. A Level I course taken before the completion of their Junior year will be considered an Introductory Course, and the student would not be approved to move on to Level II until Level I is retaken."

From the AOSA Handbook for Teacher Education Courses