Parabéns, querido Professor Jos Wuytack!

Parabéns por mais um ano de vida, repleto de história e inspiração.
Parabéns pelo inestimável contributo que deu à Educação Musical em Portugal.
Parabéns pelo impacto que deixou na Educação Musical em todo o mundo.
Parabéns pela alegria contagiante que espalhou através da música que criou e partilhou.
Parabéns pelas histórias que contou, cantou e ensinou com a sua arte.
Parabéns pelas ideias musicais brilhantes que concebeu e generosamente ofereceu ao mundo.
Que a sua pedagogia musical continue a inspirar todos aqueles que tiveram o privilégio de aprender consigo e que agora são também formadores e responsáveis!

Beijinhos
Manuela Encarnação, Professora de Educação Musical
Presidente da APEM – Associação Portuguesa de Educação Musical


Ao Professor Jos Wuytack

Camisas coloridas, sorriso aberto,
Música e ritmo num tom sempre certo.
Máscaras dançantes, alegria no ar,
O mestre ensina a cantar e sonhar.

Nas danças de roda, as mãos a girar,
O riso ecoa, é difícil parar.
Com sentido de humor e um toque de magia,
Faz da escola um palco de alegria!

Professor, amigo, inspiração,
O seu legado vive em cada canção.

Pedro Marques, professor de Educação Musical, Braga, Portugal


Happy birthday, dear Jos! I send you my warmest wishes. You are the most expressive music educator I have had the pleasure and honor to know and learn from. Your talent, passion, dedication, musicality, creativity, refinement and generosity have truly inspired me. Your concept of music pedagogy is a strong reference in my work, especially in helping students develop their teaching skills with confidence and artistic flair.

Thank you very much and have a wonderful birthday, as you deserve!

Sergio Alvares, Full Professor at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


I first met Jos Wuytack in the summer of 2003 at the University of Memphis during the Orff Master Level course. That encounter sparked a profound connection, and I had the honor of becoming his first student from Korea. Between 2004 and 2009, I invited him to Korea six times; each winter, he arrived with immense joy and dedication. I was deeply moved by his meticulous care—every year, he prepared workshop materials months in advance, even composing original pieces
specifically for Korean participants.


Jos held a deep affection for Korean music, culture, and above all, its people. I am profoundly grateful for his arrangements of Korean folk and children’s songs into Orff pieces, which beautifully bridged our traditions. As a music educator, learning the Orff-Schulwerk approach from Jos has been a singular blessing. Through him, I experienced how musical concepts come alive through meaningful engagement and how the vast history of music—from Gregorian chant to contemporary
styles—can be understood through the Orff lens.

His influence on me is foundational. He taught not only music but a way of thinking—how to approach art with sensitivity, structure, and a deep understanding of its flow. My perspective as an educator was fundamentally transformed by our meeting. While preparing for teaching, I thought of him often. Throughout that experience, I realized even more deeply how much his philosophy continues to shape and inspire my work. To me, Jos Wuytack has been a true gift. I remain deeply grateful to be his student, and I continue to carry his spirit in my work with the utmost respect and admiration.


Thank you, Jos!
With deepest gratitude and warmest regards,
Youngjeon Kim
Lecturer, Graduate School of Integrated Arts, Kookmin University