This article provides a brief discussion of the historical background, the theoretical foundations, the principles and practice of ”Music in special needs and community” (Musik und Tanz in der Sozialen Arbeit und Integrativen Pädagogik, MTSI) and ”Orff Music Therapy”. A historical review shows the adaptation of the Orff-Schulwerk for the work with children with special needs. The author uses quotes by Carl Orff to document the basis for therapeutic work in his ideas and describes how pedagogues and therapists, from the early sixties until today, have developed them for and together with different groups with special needs. The investigation leads to a look at the nonmusical outcomes of music education.