By Ralph Derickson

The certificate, similar to a diploma, recognizes the completion of extensive professional development in certain UK curricula. It was awarded to Whittington by James O'Reilly, an associate dean of the UK Graduate School, in recognition of Whittington's completion of training in the Orff Schulwerk graduate certification curriculum.

Lexington, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2002) -- Denise Whittington, a Louisville music teacher, was awarded the University of Kentucky School of Music's first Graduate Orff Schulwerk certificate Saturday, Oct. 19.

The certificate, similar to a diploma, recognizes the completion of extensive professional development in certain UK curricula. It was awarded to Whittington by James O'Reilly, an associate dean of the UK Graduate School, in recognition of Whittington's completion of training in the Orff Schulwerk graduate certification curriculum.

Orff Schulwerk is a creative approach to teaching music based on the philosophy of composer Carl Orff. The next Orff Schulwerk teacher training course to be directed by Cecilia Wang in the summer of 2003 will mark the 17th consecutive year the course has been taught at UK.

For additional information about the Orff Schulwerk program go to www.aosa.org.

The certificate ceremony was part of a workshop on African drumming being sponsored by the UK School of Music and the Kentucky Orff Schulwerk Association.