Instrumental Music

Our canyon was filled with music, laughter and joy on Saturday, June 1, at Viewpoint’s annual Arts Fest event. Community members of all ages were inspired by the creativity and talent among our TK-12 students in the areas of music, film, art, theatre, and dance. 

Founded in 2018 by Music Department Chair Dr. Kristin Herkstroeter, Arts Fest was created with the vision of bringing together all students in a single inclusive event to showcase a year's worth of artistic achievements from all disciplines across campus.

“This is a great culminating event that allows us to celebrate everything we do in the Arts without tying our performance to a specific holiday,” explained Dr. Kristin Herkstroeter, Music Department Chair and creator of Arts Fest. She emphasized, “All of our arts start in Primary School, planting seeds early on in music, visual art, dance, and theater productions. From there, we continuously nurture and grow our students' artistic talents.”

This year’s Arts Fest offered an afternoon filled with music in the canyon, visual art displays and demos, scenes from this year's musical and theater productions, screenings of award-winning student films, and a showcase of the dance program. Entrance to the event was free, with all activities taking place in the Middle and Upper School indoor and outdoor campus areas. A variety of food, including savory and sweet options, were available for purchase.

"Arts Fest is a highlight of the school year for me as a parent of a performer at Viewpoint. It's thrilling to see my son, Julian ’25, engage in various artistic activities the school provides space and encouragement for,” said Joan Dans, Viewpoint Parent. “My favorite part is rushing from one performance space to another, out of breath but excited, knowing my son is happy doing what he loves with friends. I'm grateful to Viewpoint for fostering such a vibrant arts community."

As this school year draws to a close, events like Arts Fest spotlight our students' accomplishments and the unwavering support of the Viewpoint community.

Congratulations to our talented Seventh and Eighth Grade musicians for their outstanding performances at the Music in the Parks Adjudicated Festival held at Knott’s Berry Farm on Friday, May 3. This year, our performers brought home several awards, including:

• Concert Winds: Excellent rating, Second Place

• Jazz Lab: Superior rating, First Place 

• Middle School Orchestra: Superior rating, First Place, Judges Choice Award

• Vocal Ensemble: Superior rating, First Place

Additionally, two of our student soloists were recognized:

• Leia Zucker-Peterssen ’29 - Jazz Solo Award

• Julian Thicke ’28 - Vocal Solo Award

For the third consecutive year, each ensemble performed for two adjudicators who provided written and verbal feedback along with a score. This feedback enables the group to refine their performance and elevate their skills to the next level, in addition to the grade they received for the competition.

"I'm incredibly proud of all our groups. This marks the second year we've been awarded the Judges Choice Award, signifying that we were the highest-scoring middle school orchestra at the event," said Kristin Herkstroeter, Music Department Chair.

Join us in celebrating our talented musicians at our annual ArtsFest on Saturday, June 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on our campus. Mark your calendars and come support our students as we showcase their achievements and the vibrant arts community at our school! 

Since 2012, Viewpoint’s Upper School Music Ensembles have upheld a cherished tradition by participating in the WorldStrides Heritage Music Festival in Anaheim. On Saturday, April 13, our students showcased their dedication and talent, competing against ensembles from 10 other schools nationwide and earning numerous awards in recognition of their hard work.

Their accolades included:

• Upper School Concert Choir – First Place in our division and a Gold rating

• Upper School Orchestra – First Place in our division, a Gold rating and the Adjudicators Award

• Wind Ensemble – Silver rating

• Jazz Ensemble – Gold rating

Additionally, three of our students received the Maestro Award for their outstanding solos:

• Jishnu Mukherjee '26 for his solo with the Concert Choir

• Zooey Jeong '25 for her solo with the Jazz Ensemble

• Daniyar Ali '24 for his solo with the Jazz Ensemble

Kristin Herkstroeter, Music Department Chair and Strings teacher, said, “Our students dedicate themselves year-round. Their commitment to excellence is evident in the hard work they put in. Success isn't achieved overnight; it's the culmination of years of persistent effort. That's truly the only way you can perform at a really high level.”

Congratulations once again to our groups, soloists, and the entire department on this incredible achievement! 

While some students see music merely as a hobby, Viewpoint students Jishnu Mukherjee '26, Zooey Jeong '25, and Julian Dans '25, have dedicated countless hours to their passion. Their commitment paid off when they were selected to showcase their talents at the California Music Educators Association All-State Music Education Conference, held in Sacramento from January 31 to February 4.

Jeong and Mukherjee have been involved in the Golden State Band for the past two years, with Mukherjee participating for three. Additionally, Dans had an original song accepted into the Music Composition Walking Gallery, where it was displayed along with a write-up in the main floor lobby.

All-State offers students statewide the chance to audition and join a distinguished ensemble, drawing from both public and private schools. Placement in the Golden State Band is determined by the initial audition, while others undergo live auditions upon arrival to determine seating within their assigned bands.

“Out of the 1,800 people who auditioned, only around 400 to 500 musicians were ultimately chosen," said Jeong. 

"The creation of that band aimed to broaden participation, particularly for students from smaller schools like ours, offering them a unique and coveted opportunity,” said Kim Gonzalez, Band Instructor at Viewpoint.

Gonzalez and Kosta Kutay, Assistant Teacher at Viewpoint, both volunteered at the All-State Conference to assist in overseeing the High School Concert Band. This marks their second consecutive year of being called upon to support the group, which consists of around 138 students.

“I've experienced both sides of the coin. As a former participant, I've maintained close friendships from All-State,” said Kutay. “Even in college at CSUN and now pursuing a master's at USC, I continue to engage with fellow alumni, highlighting the lasting impact of these opportunities."

Mukherjee, Jeong, and Dans echo this sentiment, extending their encouragement and advice to others who are interested in participating in the future. 

"When it comes to preparing for the audition process, my advice is to start early and dive deep into each piece," Jeong suggests. "Pay close attention to the nuances between excerpts as they often require different tones and styles to be properly emulated.”

“Consider what sets you apart from others vying for the spot. It's not solely about musical ability; dedication, perseverance, and even luck play a role,” said Mukherjee. “Assess if you truly belong and have the drive to excel in the ensemble you're auditioning for. With the right motivation, you can achieve it.”

“Submit your work widely to competitions and recognition programs. While it's natural to fear rejection, it's crucial for professional growth to become comfortable with it. With each submission, you learn to cope with setbacks and reap the rewards of success,” added Dans.

Congratulations to Jishnu Mukherjee '26, Zooey Jeong '25, and Julian Dans '25 for their remarkable achievements! For those interested in learning more about All-State and how to get involved, additional information can be found here.