Teaching music to all ages.
All children should have access to an education that meets their imaginative, spiritual, and humanitarian promise.
A music educator and proponent of Orff Schulwerk, Doug’s educational vision and approach was formed during four decades of teaching music.
Latest News
New from Pentatonic Press! Volume III of Texts on Theory & Practice of Orff Schulwerk
A must-read for all Orff Schulwerk teachers! Fifty-six authors from different countries reveal the integral role of dance and movement in the Orff approach.
The Secret Song Film Now Streaming on PBS!
Simply enter the title if you have PBS streaming or go to The Secret Song website for more details.
Just released! Jazz, Joy & Justice: The Stories Every American Should Know
Available at Orff dealers, Powell’s books online, Amazon or to be ordered from your local bookstore. Invite me to come do a reading at your school!
About Doug
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized Orff Schulwerk teacher. Recently retired from The San Francisco School where he taught music and movement to children between three years old and eighth grade for 45 years (1975-2020), he continues to regularly gives workshops for Orff Chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as presenting at State and National Conferences.
Upcoming Events
Books on Music Education
Doug is the author of ten books on music education: Jazz, Joy and Justice (just released by Austin Macauley), A Rhyme in Time, Name Games, Sound Ideas (Alfred Pub.), Play, Sing and Dance: An Introduction to Orff Schulwerk (Schott), Now's the Time: Teaching Jazz to All Ages, Intery Mintery: Nursery Rhymes for Body, Voice and Orff Ensemble, The ABCs of Education: A Primer for Schools to Come, All Bues: Jazz for the Orff Ensemble and his recently published Teach Like It's Music: An Artful Approach to Education.
About Orff Schulwerk
Orff Schulwerk is a dynamic approach to music and movement education created by composer Carl Orff and his colleague Gunild Keetman. Proceeding from a strong conviction in each child's natural musical promise, the Orff approach draws it forth through the child's world of games, chant, song, movement, folk dance, drama and work on specially designed Orff instruments just right for the beginning musician.
“Doug’s work conveys a long, earnest and continuing struggle to present music of integrity in a way that affirms our collective humanity.”
— Former Student