From Nursery Songs to Orchestra: A Journey through Music at WSP

From Nursery Songs to Orchestra: A Journey through Music at WSP

By Leah Lader | WSP Music Teacher

At Waldorf School of the Peninsula, students experience music as a journey of self-discovery, challenge, skill, community building, and emotional expression. Here, music is more than an elective, it is a vital and integral aspect of the curriculum.

Wonder: The Early Years
As our youngest students walk slowly down the hallway along with their teacher, we hear a ‘good morning’ song. Music fills the air throughout the day for all sorts of reasons, such as a blessing over our food or a way to set the mood during story time. Both vocal and instrumental experiences are essential, as they develop different capacities: vocal music is created from within the body, while instrumental music uses external materials that foster coordination and muscle memory.

The strings journey begins when our 3rd grade families, with the guidance of class and music teachers, help their child choose a string instrument that resonates with their temperament. The instrument is perfectly sized, as if it were made just for them. Wonder sets in: What is this object made of? How do I make a sound with it? Is the bow really strung with hairs from a horse’s tail? These early questions spark curiosity, leading to a lifelong relationship with music. As students learn about posture and position, they experience a physical connection between their bodies and the sounds they can make. Each class continues to grow as a social being, working together to create beauty as a group, even with the simplest of songs.

Our learning is deliberate and magical! The students begin learning to play by ear, focusing on the beauty of the sound. “Look what I figured out!” they exclaim with wide-eyed excitement, rushing forward with newfound skills. As confidence builds, they practice together before class, experiment singing and playing in rounds, and create layers of harmony that reflect their own growing complexity. We introduce note-reading and musical terminology gently. The progression is slow but steady, developmentally appropriate, and always focused on fostering independence and creativity.

Growth: The Middle Years
By Middle School, the music has grown more complex, and so have the students. We continue singing through this time of vocal changes, which can be challenging. If a string instrument did not speak to a child during their early years, they can now play a wind, brass, or percussion instrument in the Band. Imagine two rooms, each filled with 35 middle schoolers, fresh from recess, ready for a different kind of play time.

In this phase, music becomes a deeper form of self-expression and communal collaboration. Orchestra and Band are each divided into sections, contributing to the richness of the sound. We sing multi-part music, and play Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass recorders. Our music reflects the diverse personalities we find in the classroom. Some students thrive on fast, rhythmic passages, while others prefer the comfort of familiar melodies. With that said, all students perform each piece with a sense of ownership, knowing that their contribution is essential to the whole.

This is also a time of growth and questioning. Adolescents are notorious for self-doubt, and many will struggle with the physical and technical challenges of their instruments—whether it’s learning vibrato, shifting into higher positions, or simply keeping up with new key signatures. Teachers and families must continue to support the students, encouraging them to persevere, fostering resilience and a growth mindset.

Transformation: High School
By the time students reach High School, they are no longer beginners. They have honed their skills, developed their own musical voices, and learned how to collaborate as a group. The music they play now demands a level of emotional depth and intellectual understanding that goes beyond the mechanics of playing an instrument. Each rehearsal becomes an exploration of emotion and storytelling. Students learn to use different techniques, such as dynamics, phrasing, and tone color.

During the performances for our community, the audience is drawn into the music, invited to experience something new. High schoolers may be asked to reflect on their music through art or poetry, deepening their connection to the pieces they perform. By this stage, students have the confidence to play anything, to tell a musical story, and to appreciate the beauty of their own journey.

Music Promotes Lifelong Learning
Music is a vehicle for wonder, growth, and transformation. It teaches discipline, fosters collaboration, and provides students with a sense of accomplishment and personal identity. Whether students go on to pursue music professionally or simply carry their love for it into adulthood, the lessons learned will stay with them for life.

From Space to Schools: Waldorf Alums in Action

From Space to Schools: Waldorf Alums in Action

by Dr. Jon Herzenberg, WSP School Director

As deeply caring parents who are invested and engaged in your child’s education, the question of how is your child’s school preparing them for their future and where their education will take them is natural and reasonable. As you may know, some of our WSP faculty are Waldorf graduates as are several of our board members. This past week, Sarah Gillis, the child of a previous WSP School Administrator Sue Levine, took flight aboard SpaceX and played violin in space! You may be thinking that Dr. J has lost his remaining marbles, but read on. It is true! Her beautiful message of “unity and hope and highlighting the resilience and potential of children everywhere” showcased the promise of a Waldorf education, a century old education for today. 

As school has returned to session all across California, there has been a nationwide conversation about whether or not schools should ban phones from campus. The following article,  More California Schools Are Banning Smartphones, but Kids Keep Bringing Them, discusses this and the associated challenges in doing so.  We feel fortunate to be part of a community that values a play based childhood that incorporates technology when developmentally appropriate.

Top image: Illustration by Adriana Heldiz/CalMatters; iStock

38th Annual Winter Faire

38th Annual Winter Faire

For one day each year, the WSP Los Altos campus transforms into a magical winter wonderland. The joyous mood, creative activities, and welcoming community of people at our Faire invite you to celebrate the beginning of the season with us.

Come to our 38th Annual Winter Faire … a magical experience for all ages to enjoy.

Among the many activities to enjoy:
Games
Beeswax Candle Dipping
Craft Workshops
Entertainment
Wreath Making
Children’s Gnome Adventure
Puppet Show
Vocal Performances
Prizes
Jump rope making
Walbots High School Robotics Demonstration
…and More!

Our Faire happens RAIN or SHINE. Activities take place indoors or under tents.

Food trucks and vendors with delicious lunch and snack offerings.

Holiday Boutique stocked with unique toys, handcrafted items, and books, and special additional shopping hours:
Friday, December 6th from 4:00 – 8:00 pm (adult shoppers only please)
Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Free admission. Activities require the purchase of tickets.

Free Winter Faire Parking and Shuttle Available at Antiochian Orthodox Church of the Redeemer, 380 Magdalena Ave, Los Altos, CA 94024.

  • Families may park at the church and ride over to the Faire in the shuttle vans. If you have children who are legally required to ride in car seats, you must bring your seats for use in the shuttle. You may check your car seat in at the front office for storage during the Faire.
  • Alternatively, parents may first drop their families at the Los Altos Campus, park at the church, and take the shuttle to the Faire.
  • For parents going solo with young children at the Faire, there is limited space at the Los Altos campus parking lot for you.

Be sure to join our events email list to get information on next year’s Winter Faire, and other events!

Practice Tips for Music Students

Practice Tips for Music Students

by Leah Lader | Music Teacher

Welcome to the beginning of the school year, the perfect time to introduce, re-introduce, or solidify a practice routine with your musician at home!

  • Consistency is key: a consistent practice routine increases musical fluency and builds confidence. You will see greater progress with multiple practice times throughout the week, instead of an extra-long practice session only once per week. The amount of practice time depends on the age and musical level of the student.
  • Dedicate a location: for some, finding a spot in your home free from distractions works best. On the flip side, some students enjoy practicing with a family member sitting and listening! Figure out what works best for your musician.
  • Students should be well rested: Practicing first thing in the morning, after school, or before/after dinner can work quite well.
  • Actively participate during your student’s practice time by: listening to the music, showing appreciation and interest, asking questions, and allowing them to teach you how to play a song.
  • Play for others: Some students thrive on performing! Putting on a “show” in person or via phone (especially for relatives & neighbors) can be rewarding on both ends. Others prefer a quieter performance – consider accompanying your student on another instrument, such as piano, guitar, or recorder, or singing along with the music.
37th Annual Winter Faire

37th Annual Winter Faire

For one day each year, the WSP Los Altos campus transforms into a magical winter wonderland. The joyous mood, creative activities, and welcoming community of people at our Faire invite you to celebrate the beginning of the season with us.

Come to our 37th Annual Winter Faire … a magical experience for all ages to enjoy.

Among the many activities to enjoy:
Games
Beeswax Candle Dipping
Craft Workshops
Entertainment
Wreath Making
Hair Braiding by Verso Braiding
Henna Body Art by Shilpakala Artworld
Children’s Gnome Adventure
Puppet Show — “Gluscabi and the Wind Eagle”
Vocal Performances
Prizes
Senior’s Scavenger Hunt
Jump rope making
Walbots High School Robotics Demonstration
…and More!

Our Faire happens RAIN or SHINE. Activities take place indoors or under tents.

Purchase activity and puppet show tickets in advance until 12 pm on Wednesday 11/29. Full priced tickets will be available for purchase at the Faire. We accept these forms of payment only: cash, credit card or Apple pay.

Food trucks and vendors with delicious lunch and snack offerings from Curry Up Now, El Sur Empanada, and Red Bay Coffee.

Holiday Boutique stocked with unique toys, handcrafted items, and books, and special additional shopping hours:
Friday, December 1st from 4:00 – 8:00 pm (adult shoppers only please)
Saturday, December 2nd from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Free admission. Activities require the purchase of tickets.

Free Winter Faire Parking and Shuttle Available at Antiochian Orthodox Church of the Redeemer, 380 Magdalena Ave, Los Altos, CA 94024.

  • Families may park at the church and ride over to the Faire in the shuttle vans. If you have children who are legally required to ride in car seats, you must bring your seats for use in the shuttle. You may check your car seat in at the front office for storage during the Faire.
  • Alternatively, parents may first drop their families at the Los Altos Campus, park at the church, and take the shuttle to the Faire.
  • For parents going solo with young children at the Faire, there is limited space at the Los Altos campus parking lot for you.

Be sure to join our events email list to get information on next year’s Winter Faire, and other events!