Instrumental Music

Each year, Viewpoint’s Upper School musicians are recognized at the national level for their commitment to excellence in both music and academics. In December, 11 juniors and seniors earned induction into the Tri-M Music Honor Society, a program of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

Tri-M is the only national honor society dedicated to middle and high school musicians and focuses on developing student leaders through music education, service, and advocacy. The students recognized this year include:

• David Wang ’27
• Jamey Tsugawa ’27
• Jasper Hughes ’27
• JP Walker ’27
• Kayla Paschall ’27
• Kian Tabandeh ’27
• Niya Lal ’27
• Noah Fournier ’26
• Racheal Chun ’27
• Samson Harrington ’27
• Winston Ge ’27

Selection for Tri-M is based on a comprehensive audition and review process that evaluates students’ musical growth, technical proficiency, and overall musicianship. Auditions assess students across three areas: sight reading, technical elements such as scales and arpeggios, and a prepared solo performance.

Students are also expected to showcase excellence in academics and active participation in community service. According to the NAfME, student members across the nation collectively contribute over 750,000 service hours to their school and local communities annually, raising nearly $1 million for causes close to their hearts.

Congratulations to the students who have earned induction into the Tri-M Music Honor Society. More information on the program can be found here.

On Saturday, November 8, members of Viewpoint’s Upper School Orchestra traveled to Chapman University to take part in the first-ever Chamber Music and Orchestra Festival. Viewpoint was one of only five programs invited to participate, a meaningful recognition for an orchestra that proudly welcomes any Upper School student who plays a string instrument.

“Being included in the same category as those schools was a big deal,” said Dr. Kristin Herkstroeter, Music Department Chair. “It was a really great experience, and a wonderful opportunity for our students to hear college students and professionals perform.”

The day opened with chamber music master classes, where Viewpoint’s Upper School string quartet worked with Chapman’s cello and violin professors while the rest of the group observed. Students then enjoyed performances by Chapman’s student string quartet and a recital by the violin and cello professors.

After lunch, the Viewpoint Orchestra rehearsed with Chapman’s Orchestra Director, Dr. Danko Drusko, took a short tour,and then headed to the renovated Musco Center for the Arts for the festival finale. More than 100 musicians, including high school ensembles, youth orchestra members, and Chapman students, performed movements from Grieg’s Holberg Suite and Dvořák’s Serenade for Strings. Viewpoint also performed Mock Morris earlier in the day, and the string quartet prepared a chamber piece they will perform again at the upcoming Strings Concert in December.

“When the full group of 100 string players began rehearsing, I remember thinking, ‘Wow, that’s a gorgeous sound,’” Dr. Herkstroeter said. “Everything just fell into place, and the students adjusted really well to a completely different environment.”

For many students, this was their first visit to Chapman. They enjoyed meeting other musicians, exploring backstage areas rarely seen in their own performance spaces, and experiencing what participating in music at the college level can look like.

“I hope students came away knowing that you don’t have to be a music major to keep playing in college,” Dr. Herkstroeter added. “Professors are happy to support anyone who wants to continue making 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.