Instrumental Music

The spirit of creativity was alive across campus on Saturday, May 31, as Viewpoint welcomed families, friends, and community members to Arts Fest 2025. This annual celebration showcased the artistic achievements of students in Grades TK–12 through music, film, visual art, theater, and dance.

Founded in 2018 by Music Department Chair Dr. Kristin Herkstroeter, Arts Fest was envisioned as a school-wide event that brings together every artistic discipline under one creative umbrella. Now in its seventh year, the festival continues to provide a vibrant platform for students to share their work with the wider community.

“The Arts at Viewpoint are thriving, and this past weekend’s Arts Fest was a wonderful reflection of that. From our youngest singers to our most advanced artists, the Viewpoint community came together to celebrate everything we do in the arts. One of my favorite parts of the event is the opportunity for combined musical performances. This year, the Primary, Lower, and Upper School Choirs sang 'You Are My Best Friend' by Queen. The Middle School Jazz Lab and Upper School Jazz Ensemble performed 'Work Song' by Nat Adderley, and the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Grade Strings shared 'String Explosion' by Frank Rodgers. These moments are especially meaningful for our younger students, who gain so much by performing alongside older students,” said Dr. Kristin Herkstroeter, Chair of the Music Department and organizer of the event.

Held throughout the Middle and Upper School indoor and outdoor spaces, the event featured an array of experiences: music performances in the canyon, visual art exhibitions and live demos, scenes from this year’s Upper School musical, award-winning student film screenings, and a showcase from the school’s dance program.

Highlights included a spirited performance by the combined Primary, Lower, and Upper School Choirs, dynamic sets from Fifth Grade Strings and Primo Orchestra, and engaging panel discussions with student filmmakers following documentary and short film screenings. In the Visual Arts, guests admired student-created pieces across all grade levels and enjoyed a live ceramics demonstration by Upper School students.

As the school year winds down, Arts Fest shines as a hallmark event that celebrates student passion, growth, and artistic expression, and reflects the strength of Viewpoint’s thriving arts community.

Congratulations to our Seventh and Eighth Grade students for their exceptional performances at this year’s Music in the Parks Adjudicated Festival, held on May 2 at Knott’s Berry Farm. With 88 students performing across four ensembles, Viewpoint’s Middle School musicians earned top honors in every division they entered.

• Jazz Lab – Excellent Rating, 1st Place in Division
• Concert Winds – Excellent Rating, 1st Place in Division
• Vocal Ensemble – Excellent Rating, 1st Place in Division
• Middle School Orchestra – Superior Rating, 1st Place in Division, Top Scoring Orchestra and Instrumental Ensemble at the Festival

This marks the third consecutive year the Middle School Orchestra has received these top honors, solidifying their place as a standout ensemble in the festival.

“This is the fourth year we've participated in Music in the Parks, and it’s inspiring to see the students rise to the occasion year after year,” said Kristin Herkstroeter, Music Department Chair. “They always work harder knowing they’ll be judged by other music educators. They take it seriously and want to represent Viewpoint well.”

Each ensemble prepared for months in advance, using the opportunity not only to rehearse but to refine their technique and collaborate more closely.

“The music program at Viewpoint is thriving,” Herkstroeter added. “Not only do a significant portion of our students participate, they also work hard so that their ensembles perform at a high level.”

Congratulations to all of our young musicians and their directors for another year of excellence and growth. You can see these students perform at our annual Arts Fest event on Saturday, May 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on campus.  

Last month, the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills was filled with energy as six bands took the stage for the Battle of the Bands—a musical competition with a meaningful purpose. Organized by Olivia Lakhani ’26, the event was part of her larger initiative, Healing Through Music, with all proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society.

“I’ve always wanted to put together an event like this. As someone who’s loved music for a long time, it felt like a dream come true,” Olivia said. “It was definitely a challenge, but seeing the turnout and knowing we were supporting such an important cause made it all worth it.”

But the event wasn’t just about music—it was about bringing students together from different schools for a common cause. The lineup featured musicians from high schools across Calabasas, Camarillo, Ventura, and beyond, turning it into a true community-wide effort.

For Olivia, the cause was especially personal. In 2022, she lost her grandmother to cancer, a loss that fueled her desire to use music as a way to give back.

“Ever since my grandma passed, I’ve wanted to do something meaningful in her honor,” Olivia said. “Music has always been an outlet for me, and I know how powerful it can be in bringing people together. Raising money for the American Cancer Society felt like the perfect way to turn something I love into something that could make a real difference.”

The lineup featured six bands, three of which included Viewpoint students:

• Urban Fallout – Olivia’s band, where she sings, songwrites, and plays rhythm guitar
• The Four and a Half – Featuring Viewpoint students Jishnu Mukherjee ’26, Jasper Hughes ’27, Thomas Hemmens ’26, Charlie Luborsky ’26, and Max Zou ’26
• Black Moon Lilith – Featuring Viewpoint’s Thomas Hemmens ’26
• Secondhand Embarrassment 
• Par-5
• SPAM

“We had over 220 people show up, and we ended up raising nearly $5,000 for the American Cancer Society,” Olivia added. “Each band was competing to raise the most donations throughout the night, and Par 5 ended up taking the top spot.”

Looking ahead, Olivia hopes to host another Battle of the Bands later this year, potentially expanding the event and securing additional sponsors. With a generous sponsorship from HIBYE Coffee and support from the Guitar Center Foundation, the future looks bright for Healing Through Music.

“I’ve learned so much from this experience—about planning, outreach, and the importance of trusting others to help,” Olivia said. “This was just the beginning.”

At a one-night-only show, Viewpoint’s Voices Now, our unique performance group of Upper School singers, delivered electrifying melodies and harmonies at the premier music venue, Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on Tuesday, February 4. Catalina Popescu, the club’s owner, generously donated 100% of ticket proceeds to support the music and arts programs at Viewpoint. 

"It's truly exhilarating to witness the students' reactions as they step into a venue that regularly hosts renowned artists,” said Bill Brendle, Viewpoint Music Director. “Seeing their faces light up with the realization that they'll soon grace that very stage is the most rewarding aspect of it all."

Under the direction and accompaniment of Brendle, our ensemble of passionate and driven vocalists performed a set of show-stopping solos, duets, and group numbers to a packed house. From classics like "Fly Me to the Moon” by Bart Howard and “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” by Stevie Wonder to contemporary hits like “Always Remember Us This Way” by Lady Gaga and “Rainbow” by Kasey Musgraves, the set list featured a diverse range of musical styles and genres.

“Music has the power to heal, unite, and uplift. In times of tragedy and loss, it reminds us of our shared strength as a community.” said Brendle. “Our Viewpoint community came together for an evening of inspiring performances that celebrated the resilience and hope we find through music.”

Doors opened at 7:00 p.m. and guests filed in, greeted by the soft glow of candles on the tables and murmurs of excited chatter. Among the crowd were proud friends and families of Voices Now, Viewpoint faculty, staff, alumni, and music lovers, all eager to experience the magic of the evening. There was a palpable sense of excitement in the air as the sounds of clicking glasses and soft conversation blended with the anticipation of the show.

The 90-minute show opened with a group performance of “I Got The Music in Me” by Bias Bishell and arranged by Bill Brendle. Each voice blended beautifully, a mix of harmonies that seemed to float effortlessly through the air, captivating everyone present. The first half of the show was emceed by Seniors Carly Nelson’ 25 and Nathan Danese, and the second half by Juniors Chloe Brendle ’26 and Jake Roth ’26. The dynamic duos provided entertaining and humorous banter as they introduced each performance.  

Throughout the show, the students delivered a flawless mix of vocal arrangements, adding their own youthful spirit and musical craftsmanship. The audience couldn’t help but be mesmerized by their stage presence and talent. The night ended with a reprise of “I Got the Music In Me” and a special tribute to the eight Seniors in the Class of 2025. The director, musicians, and all of the singers took their bows to a roar of applause. 

Check out the full set list below:

1. Voices Now

I Got The Music In Me - Bias Bishell, arr. Bill Brendle

Soloists: Lily Davis ‘25, Julian Dans ‘25, Julian Thicke ‘28, Jordan De Maria ‘25, Sadie Kieffer ‘26, Nathan Danese ‘25, Jake Roth ‘26, Megan Shaw 25’, Shoshana Lindon ‘25, Carly Nelson ‘25

2. Julian Thicke ’28

“Bored” - Laufey

3. Samson Harrington ’27

(vocal and trombone)

“But Not For Me” - George and Ira Gershwin

4. Ash Chesed ’27

“Dreamer” - Laufey

5. Racheal Chun ‘27

“A Thousand Years” - Christina Parri

6. Jamey Tsugawa ’27

“Rainbow” - Kasey Musgraves

7. Sadie Kieffer ’26

“Creep” - Thom Yorke

8. Sadie Kieffer ’26 and Ella Crenshaw ’26

“Heaven” - Ella Crenshaw ’26

Trumpet solo - Sadie Kieffer ’26

9. Ella Crenshaw ’26

“Meant For Each Other” - Ella Crenshaw ’26

10. Marley Blumel ’26

“We Can’t Be Friends” - Ariana Grande, Max Martin, Ilya Salmanzadeh

11. Megan Shaw ’26

“From The Start” - Laufey

12. Chloe Brendle ’26

“Don’t You Worry ’Bout A Thing” - Stevie Wonder

13. Chloe Brendle ’26 and Jake Roth ’36

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” - Ashford & Simpson

14. Jake Roth ’26

“Let’s Stay Together” - Al Green

15. Kaelin Schetter ’25

“Street By Street” - Laufey

16. Shawn Ching ’25

“Fly Me To The Moon” - Bart Howard

17. Jordan De Maria ’25

“Always Remember Us This Way” - Lady Gaga

18. Shoshana Lindon ’25

“L’amour de ma vie” - Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell

19. Julian Dans ’25

“All The Things You Are” -  Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein III, arr. Bill Brendle

20. Lily Davis ‘25

“Since I Fell For You” - Buddy Johnson

21. Nathan Danese ‘25

“A Wink and A Smile” - Ramsey McLean and Marc Shaiman

22. Nathan Danese ’25 and Carly Nelson ’25

“You’re All I Need To Get By” - Ashford and Simpson

23. Carly Nelson ’25

“Something’s Got A Hold On Me” - Etta James, LeRoy Kirkland, Pearl Woods

Background singers - Lily Davis ’25, Shoshana Lindon ’25, Kaelin Schetter ’25

24. Voices Now

“I Got The Music In Me” (Reprise) - Bias Bishell, arr. Bill Brendle

"Voices Now offers more than just music; it's a glimpse into the vibrant spirit of our school,” added Brendle. This performance allowed newcomers to witness something truly special and distinctive, immersing themselves in our rich community to discover what sets us apart from the rest." 

Congratulations to Voices Now:

• Marley Blumel ’26
• Chloe Brendle ’26
• Ash Chesed ’27
• Shawn Ching ’25
• Rachael Chun ’27
• Ella Crenshaw ’26
• Julian Dans ’25
• Nathan Danese ’25
• Carson Eith ’28
• Graham Eith ’28
• Lily Davis ’25
• Jordan DeMaria ’25
• Samson Harrington ’27
• Daphne Huffman ’26
• Sadie Kieffer ’26
• Shoshana Lindon ’25
• Carly Nelson ’25
• Jake Roth ’26
• Kaelin Schetter ’25
• Megan Shaw ’26
• Jamey Tsugawa ’27
• Julian Thicke ’28