Ocarina Building Workshop

     In addition to making the "From Earth to Song" MyOcarina buiding kit, we also offer ocarina building workshops for a hands-on experience. For groups of 15-20 students (of any age), these workshops can be scheduled during the day, in the evenings, or on week-ends. A great activity for birthday parties, summer camps, festivals or special events, the ocarina buiding workshops help to develop self-esteem in people of all ages. The instructors show the students how to make a complicated-looking project easy. 

     A combination of music, art, sculpture, design and cross-cultural history, this program has something for everyone!  Since 1985, children & adults alike have been delighted with the instruments they design & build from clay, and then can play. Field tested with children & special children of all ages, this project works well in a variety of settings, including schools, summer programs, home schools, special needs classes, art museums, retirement centers and libraries. 

     The Ocarina Building program has received “excellent” ratings by teachers, early childhood educators, and school administrators. Parents & teachers are welcome to be a part of the creative process, & can participate by building an instrument.

     Located in south-central Pennsylvania, we travel to locations throughout PA, VA, WV, NJ, MD, NY, DE, and more. Contact us for more information.

Brief History of the Ocarina: 

Workshop Synopsis:

The standard program for this project is two (2) sessions, approx. 45 minutes to 1 hour each.  Additional sessions are available for composition.

Session I: "Design & Build"

• After a short lecture/demonstration on the ocarina, it's history and sound, students learn how to build an ocarina. 
• Using clay, students will design & build a playable wind instrument. 
• Each student decides the shape as well as where to place the finger holes and mouthpiece.  
• Students do not get to keep their instruments at this time, because the clay is wet & needs to be air dried & then kiln fired. 

Session II (2+ weeks later): “Play Ocarinas”  

• After kiln firing, the students recieve their instruments.  They learn to play single notes & then four- to six-note songs on their ocarina.  
• At this point, the ocarinas are stoneware and can be washed, played and decorated with paints (acrylic is best).    

Optional Additional Sessions: “Make Music”  

• Students play more songs & compose original music for their ocarina.  They learn musical modes, melody and harmonic structure.  They can then perform this piece in an all-school performance, if desired. 
• These sessions can be extended from one additional session to several weeks, allowing the students to learn about composition & performance. 

• Curriculum Links:  Music, Music composition, Art, Sculpture, Design, Math, World Cultures (Curriculum Guide)
• Ages:  2nd grade to adult 
• Class Size: 15-20 students per session 
• Materials cost: $2/student
• Short-Term Goals:   For the students to build self-esteem through designing & creating their own high-quality wind instrument from clay that will last forever.  For the students to learn to play songs & compose music on the instrument that they designed & built.   
• Long-Term Goals:  To create educated listeners who are excited about music & ceramics. To inspire others in an appreciation of the arts, interest in ceramics & music, and the ability to teach their interest to others, especially their children & their community.
• Special Requirements:  Large table (if possible), buckets & access to sinks nearby
• Available:  Year-round 

              "These visits have immense value for children who are often not exposed to much in the way of the Arts." (3rd grade teacher, Woodward Elementary)

                            "May have prompted some [students] to do more with music than listen." (5th grade teacher, Goshen Elementary)

         "The children in my class enjoyed this greatly.  They played the instruments at breaks and recess, and couldn't wait to go home and play for their parents." (3rd grade teacher, Goshen Elementary)

Partial List of Schools that have participated in the Ocarina Project:

• Chase Academy
• Price Elementary
• Manheim Central (Four Corners International Festival, Millersville, PA)
• Pequea Elementary (Four Corners International Festival, Millersville, PA)
• Centerville Elementary (Four Corners International Festival, Millersville, PA)
• Nitrauer Elementary (Four Corners International Festival, Millersville, PA)
• ER Martin Elementary (Four Corners International Festival, Millersville, PA)
• Park Elementary
• Taylor Elementary
• Conestoga Valley Homeschool (Four Corners International Festival, Millersville, PA)
• La Academia (Four Corners International Festival, Millersville, PA)
• Hamilton Elementary
• Goshen Elementary
• Bald Eagle Nittany HS
• North Hills Elementary
• Rohrstown Elementary
• Donegal Middle School
• Woodward Elementary

Partial List of Retirement Communities that have participated in the Ocarina Project:

• Country Meadows (West Shore, Lancaster & Shiloh, PA locations)
• Ecumenical Communities (Harrisburg, PA)
• Oak Leaf Manor (Millersville, PA)

Other Educational Programs available through Wyndfall Music:

• From Bach to Rock (45-50 minute informational concert)
• Music Makes the World Go Round (45-50 minute informational concert)
• Songs & Stories of Turlough O'Carolan (45-50 minute informational concert)
• Cafe Improv (improvisation clinics for music students)