Ik denk met een heel warm gevoel terug aan de lessen én de nevenactiviteiten die ik beleefd heb met Jos Wuytack. Zijn overtuiging én enthousiasme voor het Orff-instrumentarium zorgde bij mij voor uren inspirerend musiceren… Ik bewaar de beste herinneringen aan de groepsuitvoeringen in het toenmalige Lemmens in Mechelen.
Tijdens de verhuis van het Lemmensinstituut naar Leuven liet Jos nog meer zien van zijn kunstige vaardigheden, want de naakte muren werden voorzien van zijn kleurrijke schilderijen…
Ook in Leuven bleef zijn enthousiasme voor de pedagogie van Orff, wat hij onvermoeid deelde met zijn studenten.
Een heel fijne 90ste verjaardag!

Mia Ducatteeuw, music teacher in Torhout, Belgium
(Student at the Lemmensinstituut 1966-1969)


Warmest birthday wishes from the ‘Lemmensberg’! In the world of music education, you are a true legend. Although I didn’t have the privilege of having you as one of my mentors during my music pedagogy studies at the Lemmens Institute, most of my professors were your former students. They painted a vibrant picture of you: a very ‘present’, ‘inspiring’, and ‘active’ professor, sometimes entering the classroom straight from the airport, returning from a trip abroad, always dressed in colorful shirts, bringing songs and tunes from all over the world.

They always spoke highly of your musicianship and how you used it in your pedagogical work. This is the image I had even before I saw a real picture of you! Your work has been incredibly important for our music education department in Leuven and for music education in Belgium. I’m deeply grateful that you visited us at the opening ceremony of the EAS conference in 2013, and that we finally met in person there! Cheers, and Happy 90th Birthday, Jos!

ThomasDe Baets, Professor of Music Education at LUCA School of Arts, Lovain, Belgium


J’ai fait mon premier stage avec Jos en Alsace en 1976 et je ne compte plus le nombre de stages que j’ai suivis! Quelle énergie et bonne humeur dans des stages et formation de très haut niveau. J’ai toujours été très admirative du talent de musicien et de grand pédagogue de Jos. Tu as pour moi été LE prof de ma vie!

J’ai enseigné ensuite pendant plus de 30 ans sa pédagogie aux enfants de 6 à 12 ans et lu toujours autant d’émerveillement dans leurs yeux quand ils découvraient chants, morceaux aux instruments ou musicogrammes. Que de beaux concerts nous avons donnés pour les parents, fiers de leurs enfants.

Et tout cela, grâce à Jos. Grâce à son immense investissement dans la pédagogie active, il a permi à des milliers d’enfants dans le monde de devenir de bons musiciens.

Une dernière chose remarquable: Tout le matériel pédagogique que Jos a mis en place marche à coup sûr avec les élèves, petits, grands ou adultes. La satisfaction musicale est immédiate!

Jos, je ne pourrais jamais assez t’exprimer ma reconnaissance et mon admiration!

Anne Boucly, Professeur su Lycée Français Jean Renoir de Munich, Allemagne


My Dearest Jos,

I first met you in 1972 when I took Level I in Toronto. It was a life changing moment for me. Since that time, you have become my teacher, my mentor, my colleague and my very good friend. You were instrumental in shaping my life and in so doing shaping the lives of the many students and adults I taught.

I wish you a very, very Happy 90th Birthday. And I wish you much joy and peace as you begin your next journey around the sun.

Judy Sills, Department Head of Music, Victoria School, Edmonton Alberta, Canada


Dear Jos,

Your pedagogical influence on my beliefs, values and practices in music education are forever in my heart and soul, from Orff workshops, to level 3 in Edmonton, and the Orff Master Class in Memphis. May you celebrate your 90th year knowing that you have touched the lives of so many teachers and their students – the ripples of music are endless. Much love to you,

Natalie Prytuluk, music teacher, Canada


Looking back on my life and the starring role music played in it, I fondly remember my years as a music teacher taught by and inspired by Jos Wuytack! Not only was he an incredible teacher, which everyone knows… I remember his funny side. He always smiled and had such incredible energy.

Here’s wishing you an amazing 90th birthday Jos! You are a star in my book! Lots of love,

Terry Ann Diachok, music teacher, Canada


My Dear Professor Jos, Happy 90th Birthday!  

I am profoundly grateful to have had the privilege of learning and experiencing the Orff pedagogy. Not a day goes by in the music room that I am reminded of your teachings. You made a difference in my life and subsequently in the lives of children I have taught.

May you celebrate with those dear to you.

Dorianne Martyniuk, Music teacher Edmonton Public Schools, Canada


Bappy Hirthday Jos!

I am eternally thankful for your mentorship in the Orff-Schulwerk philosophy. Your expertise, thoughtfulness, sense of humour, humanity and love of music had a huge impact on me as a teacher and as a person. I remember every class, workshop and conference that you presented over the years but it’s the social occasions that I cherish the most. Your smig bile!
Warmest wishes,
Shari Paziuk, Music teacher Edmonton Public Schools, Canada


Happy birthday Jos! Your legacy in life has been an enormous contribution to the world. Young people throughout the world, have had their lives enriched through music programs that have been influenced by you. I had already been teaching for 12 years before I took my Level I Orff. It felt so freeing to find a philosophy of music education that melded with my own. I know for a fact that students I taught from pre-Kindergarten to high school, to university education students benefitted from the wholistic approach to music education, inspired by you. Thank you for the ripple effects.

Janie Fries, Moose Jaw, music teacher, Saskatchewan, Canada


I have so many fond memories of the classes and workshops that I had with Jos…I think the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen a musician do, is what Jos demonstrated to us one day, for the topic of conducting. Jos conducted 4/4 time in one hand while conducting 3/4 time in the other. I remember just staring at him while he was doing this, in utter amazement.
I have thought of you often, Jos, during the time that I was teaching my classes, in the Orff Schulwerk approach to music education.

Wishing you a Happy 90th Birthday, Jos, and a year filled with good health and happiness. 
Sincerely,
Pam Ludwar, music teacher, Saskatchewan, Canada