Carl Orff devoted much of his life to music for children. His pioneering work continues under the guidance of teachers and educators in many countries. The five basic German volumes of Music for Children by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman were published between 1950 and 1954. The considerable growth of Orff Schulwerk in the United States led to the publication of the American Edition (1977) to satisfy the requirements of a different educational system and national heritage.

Music for Children is a stimulating source of material for music teaching. Orff's fundamental educational ideas have revitalized music education from nursery schools to secondary education and in special music schools, based on the concepts that music, dance and language are interrelated and animated through rhythm. At the opening of the Orff Institute in Salzburg in 1963, Carl Orff ended his speech with a quotation from Schiller: 'I have done my part, now do yours.' That challenge has been taken up by teachers worldwide. Volume 4 of this classic study series concentrates on his Minor - Bordun as arranged by Arnold Walter and Carl Orff.