IOSA Workshop: Matthew Rooney
(April 13, 2019)
This Piece is "Fire": Teaching Music in Underserved Communities through the Orff-Schulwerk
Matthew Rooney is a native of Albany, Indiana. He is a graduate of Ball State University, completing his Orff-Schulwerk training at Anderson University and the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Rooney's passion for serving underserved communities began with his selection to the Chicago Public Schools Teaching Residency Program in 2006. Since then, Rooney has taught music through Orff-Schulwerk in high-needs middle schools in both Harlem and Indianapolis. Rooney's Orff ensembles have performed at the historic Apollo Theater and Empire State Plaza in Albany, New York, and have been selected as featured performers for Teach for America: Indianapolis. Rooney currently serves as Principal of Democracy Prep Harlem High School in New York City. He enjoys going to the movies, traveling, and hiking non-rigorous trails.
Explore how Orff-Schulwerk is the single most effective approach to teaching music in our most underserved communities. Orff-Schulwerk is a lens through which all young people can achieve high levels of musicianship and develop valuable character strengths, regardless of their zip code. As we play our way through hallmarks from the Volumes, we will discover how the Schulwerk is as relevant now as it was 60 years ago. Our young people today have unique voices that can change the world. Experience how singing, saying, dancing, and playing can be tools for empowering them for that future.
Matthew Rooney is a native of Albany, Indiana. He is a graduate of Ball State University, completing his Orff-Schulwerk training at Anderson University and the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Rooney's passion for serving underserved communities began with his selection to the Chicago Public Schools Teaching Residency Program in 2006. Since then, Rooney has taught music through Orff-Schulwerk in high-needs middle schools in both Harlem and Indianapolis. Rooney's Orff ensembles have performed at the historic Apollo Theater and Empire State Plaza in Albany, New York, and have been selected as featured performers for Teach for America: Indianapolis. Rooney currently serves as Principal of Democracy Prep Harlem High School in New York City. He enjoys going to the movies, traveling, and hiking non-rigorous trails.
Explore how Orff-Schulwerk is the single most effective approach to teaching music in our most underserved communities. Orff-Schulwerk is a lens through which all young people can achieve high levels of musicianship and develop valuable character strengths, regardless of their zip code. As we play our way through hallmarks from the Volumes, we will discover how the Schulwerk is as relevant now as it was 60 years ago. Our young people today have unique voices that can change the world. Experience how singing, saying, dancing, and playing can be tools for empowering them for that future.