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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

Happy 90th to my Mentor, beloved teacher, and friend. I, like most countless others, have never properly expressed to you the fundamental influence you have had on my career and therefore, my life. You have shared your Joy with me, and I have done my best to share that same Joy with my students.

I have not implemented your use of spoonerism in my work but, for the last odd 30 years, Wuytack pieces have cascaded through the hallways of my school. Always in the hope that, if you heard them, they would get your seal of approval. Happy Birthday.

Don Myers, Retired music teacher, Edmonton Alberta, Canada

Jos, la musique qui vous habite vous a conservé votre jeunesse! Félicitations! Et ce n’est pas sans émotion que je m’empare de cette exceptionnelle occasion pour exprimer ma reconnaissance. J’ai suivi vos stages en 1982, à Toulouse. Vous avez semé la joie de la musique dans ma vie: le rythme vécu par le corps et l’esprit a profondément transformé ma pratique individuelle et collective de la musique.

Et puis l’accès ludique et naturel teinté de votre humour, votre attention à chacun(e) des stagiaires, votre écoute, ont imprimé des souvenirs encore très vivants, plus de 40 ans plus tard. Et vos musicogrammes: quels outils complets et judicieux pour accéder au répertoire dans sa profondeur et sa complexité ! Une réalisation du pédagogue hors pair.

En bref vous m’avez fourni les clefs pour l’approche plus sensible et savoureuse et la compréhension de la musique ainsi que la transmission à mes enfants et de proches amis musiciens.

Pour tout cela un énorme MERCI et un anniversaire joyeux, melodieux et harmonieux. Je vous adresse mes pensées émues et mon meilleur souvenir.

Annie Cheney, violoniste, le Quatuor Florestan, Strasbourg

Dear Jos, Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and Congratulations for reaching the wise age of 90 years! There are so many wonderful memories of times spent with you in and out of the music classroom that I cherish and have shared.

“All things shall perish from under the sky…Jos’s music never to die”. A little change of words for your birthday!

I wish you much happiness and good health. With love,

Diane Shieron, University of Alberta, Canada

Dear Jos,

Happy 90th Birthday! Today is your special day that your family, friends and students celebrate you, and the richness you have shared with all of us during your 90 years. In the early 1980s before I had even met you, your influence was apparent through the guidance I received from your students Konnie Saliba and Judy Sills. They inspired me to study with you personally and I am so thankful they did.

Your gift to me has been an understanding of the depth and goodness that quality music education can bring to the world. I have many fond memories of you – your sense of humour, your intellect and your mentorship which challenged me to do my best. I am very grateful for knowing you.

Colette Bischoff, Retired music teacher, Saskatoon Saskatchewan

Do You Know the Jossy Dance?

Judy, in Edmonton, knew a guy Jos
And boy, were we lucky with glee!
‘Cause something was missing in Music for kids:
The magic “Orff Kids Jamboree”!!

You flew o’er the ocean to make us all dance
And play a bordun on the bass
We passed it all down to our dear little wards
And my joy was the joy on their face!

But it didn’t stop there: spending weeks in you class
Fostered lifetimes of friendships, you know
And we were so lucky to get to know you –
Your talents b’yond Music did show!
Spoonerisms caused giggles: We ate belly jeans!
Your kitchen skills: sooo unsurpassed!
But your songs about drinking Cinzano, I fear
Did not reach the ears in my class!!! (LOL)

Your fab Orffestrations – with words slightly changed –
Were loved dearly in school and on stage
I loved all your classes and still have my notes!
Many times have I drawn on your sage.

Generations have passed since those glorious days
Many thousands of children you’ve reached
have remembered the dance and the planning with team
And creating their Life Musics each

And today is so special; I honour you true
As you finish your 90th year
I wish you a birthday with joy and with love
To reflect your life’s work with good cheer!

Love,
Marlene kirwin, Edmonton, Canada

Dearest Jos, 

Happy Birthday my good friend! I wish you a wonderful day of celebration, reflection, good memories, and best wishes from all over the world. In many ways, your life has been a celebration of music as you travelled the world, both teaching and performing. I will always be grateful for the music you shared and the ways you taught us to teach it! I’ve told you several times that you are the best teacher I’ve ever had. As I move through my teaching career, I often am reminded of not only the material and the techniques, but of the joy of music, of teaching, and learning you shared. 

Teaching children in public schools, or teachers in Orff levels courses, I try to pass along not only the knowledge you shared but also the joy! 

I truly wish you the best! Stay well and joyful. 

With Love, 

Brent Holl