Vocal Music

On Friday, December 6, the joyful sounds of children’s voices filled the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza’s Kavli Theater, as Viewpoint’s Primary and Lower School students presented their holiday program, “We Are Lights.”  

With enthusiastic and heartfelt performances from each of the classes, as well as the Primary and Lower School Choruses and Dancers, and the Advanced Fifth Grade Strings, the audience delighted in the spirit of the season. In addition to music and dance performances, narrators from the Fifth Grade class shared holiday traditions practiced by cultures around the world and delivered holiday sentiments in eight different languages - Russian, Japanese, Hebrew, Persian, Hungarian, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Korean.

Viewpoint’s dance teacher Gabrielle Brown, a former soloist with American Ballet Theater, choreographed excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, performed by the Primary and Lower School Dancers, led by Jordan Aaronson ’26, Chloe Brendle ’26, Charlotte Hariton ’26, Isabella Wang ’28, Finn Harrington ’29, Callie Roskowinski ’31, and Keira Pescherine ’31.

“As I celebrate my tenth year as Head of School, I realize just how much I’ve come to love this annual celebration,” shared Mark McKee. “For me, perhaps for you, it kicks off the holiday season, as we hear and sing music together, learn about one another’s families and stories and traditions, and celebrate our students and our connections with one another.” 

During the program, the school celebrated Claudia Antoine, Head of Lower School, who was honored for her 34 years of service and her final Holiday Program before retirement. Recognized for her love of students and the holidays, as well as her ability to uplift those around her, Claudia was thanked and congratulated for her dedication to the Viewpoint community.

The holiday program concluded with Viewpoint’s Giving of the Greens prepared by the VSSA. This annual tradition, in which each child receives a beautiful spray of greens, represents the School’s abiding belief in the continual growth of each student and the warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season.

Viewpoint School recognizes Bradley Gail, Timothy and Christina Gaspar, and Dr. Niniek Purnomo and Klaus A. Woizik for their leadership support in the Viewpoint Fund and their symbolic sponsorship of this event as donors in our Chair's and Head of School Circles.

In a music season opener, Viewpoint’s Upper School Wind and Jazz ensemble took center stage at the Carlson Family Theater (CFT) for their first Concert of the school year on Tuesday, October 15. 

The show commenced with a dynamic performance by the Wind Ensemble/Pep Band, featuring “Elements (Air)” by Brian Balmages. Next, the Senior Conductors for Pep Band showcased their versatility with a series of popular pieces, ranging from “Funkytown” by Steve Greenberg, and “Hawaii Five-o” by Mark Stevens, to “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder, and “September” by “M. White, A. McKay, and A. Willis. They smoothly transitioned between genres with “Land of 1,000 Dances” by C. Kenner and A. Domino, “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane, and a standout rendition of “Copacabana” by Barry Manilow, B. Sussman, and J. Feldman.

The student-run jazz combo “The Four and a Half”, consisting of Charlie Luborsky ’26 on bass, Thomas Hemmens ’26 on guitar, Max Zou ’26 on piano, Jasper Hughes ’27 on drumset and Jishnu Mukherjee ’26 on sax performed between the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble performances. They did a fantastic job.

Closing the night, the Jazz Ensemble performed “Maiden Voyage” by Herbie Hancock, “Back Porch Swing” by Drew Zaremba, and “La Vida Es Un Carnaval” by Victor Daniel. It was great to hear some student soloists during the three jazz numbers.  

Just one week later on Tuesday, October 22, the Upper School Concert Choir, Voices Now, and Orchestra students offered a diverse musical journey that transcended generations and cultures.

Voices Now opened the show, delivering captivating performances of 1940s classic “Java Jive” by Ben Oakland and Milton Drake, a new arrangement of the Brazilian classic “Água De Beber” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, and the iconic “Somebody to Love” by Freddie Mercury. Following this electrifying set, the Concert Choir took the stage, singing “Loch Lomond” by Jonathan Quick, “Dream Ship” by Susan La Bar, and “Ripple” by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

After a brief intermission, Upper School Orchestra members played three selections, including “Prelude from the Brook Green Suite” by Gustav Holst, “Lullaby” by William Hofeldt, and “Graveyard Shift” by Chris Thomas. For the finale, the Concert Choir and Orchestra united in harmony for “Gloria In Excelsis” by Antonio Vivaldi.

“Although these concerts were both early in the year, I am very proud of the hard work the Upper Schoolers did to pull these concerts together so quickly,” said Dr. Kristin Herkstroeter, Music Department Chair. “I look forward to a great musical year with the Upper School musicians.”

Immediately following both concerts, our performers and families gathered outside the theater for a reception with sweet treats and hot beverages, generously provided and served by our VSSA volunteers. 

For Nathan Danese ’25, this past summer marked a major milestone in his musical journey. Through Viewpoint’s Summer Experience Program, now known as CareerPoint, Danese interned at Los Olivos Recording Studios, where he had the opportunity to record one of his original songs, “Fallout,” and release it on several streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

“My interest in actually partaking in music started during my sophomore year when I was cast in ‘Grease,’” Danese shared. “It was sort of a spur-of-the-moment decision. I didn’t know I could do it, and I didn’t know that I would have so much fun doing it.”

Encouraged by friends and experiences at Viewpoint, Danese began performing his original songs at events like Coffee House and the Board of Trustees’ annual dinner. CareerPoint, Viewpoint’s summer program that helps rising Seniors discover professional passions and career pathways, allowed him to take his music to a new level.

“When I got into the studio, I knew we had to experiment,” Danese said. “We added drums, guitar, and backup vocals, and suddenly it was a completely new song. It went from a ballad to a pop song.”

"We went through the full process, from developing his song to a professional release,” said Beto Hale, owner of Los Olivos Recording Studios. “He was incredibly motivated, always asking questions and bringing in ideas. It was inspiring to see his enthusiasm and commitment.”

Over a series of three recording sessions, Danese worked with Hale and his team to transform “Fallout,” experimenting with new layers and refining the sound until it was ready for release.  

“I brought in Julian Dans ’25 to play piano, bass, and record backup vocals. He also helped with arranging parts of the song,” Danese said. “Alexa Jeong ’25 even created the cover art. It was amazing to see all these different pieces come together, and it felt like something we could all be proud of.”

With 88 monthly listeners on Spotify, “Fallout" is a testament to Danese's dedication and collaborative spirit. Looking ahead, he hopes to stay involved in the music industry behind the scenes, exploring roles in songwriting and marketing, while continuing to pursue his passion for film.

“It’s rewarding to see the final product out there, but I’m most excited by the creative and collaborative process,” Danese shared.

“This program gives students a taste of what the real world is like,” Hale shared. “They learn that you have to work really hard to reach even the most basic level of competency. There are no shortcuts, but if you love what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel like work.”

Congratulations to Nathan Danese ’25 for reaching this significant milestone in his musical journey! We look forward to seeing where his creativity and dedication take him next. 

If you are able to host a Viewpoint senior this summer, please contact CareerPoint Program Manager Anneke Emerson at Anneke.emerson@viewpoint.org.

Viewpoint’s Tenth Annual Convocation was a resounding success, highlighting the spirit of optimism and the strong sense of community within our school. This annual gathering brings together nearly the entire student body, from Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade, setting a positive and inspiring tone for the academic year ahead.

One of the most heartwarming moments of the event is the formation of a tunnel by the Senior Class for the Kindergarten students to walk through as they enter. This touching tradition symbolizes the unity of the school's diverse student body, emphasizing the role of older students as mentors and leaders for the younger ones.

The event featured several notable speakers, including Head of School Mark McKee, who welcomed the community with a message of optimism and unity. He emphasized the significance of this year’s theme—Optimism—while celebrating the contributions of every member of the Viewpoint family. Mr. McKee also acknowledged the lifers in the Class of 2025 and their connection to the youngest members of the school, the kindergarteners, reinforcing Viewpoint’s commitment to excellence, character, and its "World Ready" promise. Introducing the theme, he stated:

“Optimism is about hopefulness and confidence in the future. It’s believing that tomorrow will be better than today. As we begin this new year, we do so with the conviction that through learning, kindness, and community, we can make a difference in the world.”

Mr. McKee concluded by encouraging students to adopt optimism in every aspect of their lives, urging them to face challenges with hope and determination. He also reinforced the importance of community, reminding everyone that by staying connected, they can build a brighter future both at Viewpoint and beyond. 

Next, the room of nearly 1500 people heard from our Student Body President, Sam Green ’25, who spoke on this year’s theme of optimism. He encouraged the community to focus not only on achieving tangible goals but also on embracing the small, meaningful moments along the way. 

"The process can be just as rewarding as the end goal, and as seniors, we’re starting to realize just how finite our time at Viewpoint really is," said Green. "Let’s embrace optimism by appreciating all the little moments and celebrating the small victories, because those are what we’ll truly remember when we look back.”

In his address, Associate Head of School Bob Bryan embraced optimism as the theme for the school year, underscoring its significance in both learning and life. He described optimism as a powerful source of hope, motivation, and persistence, inspiring us to see the best in ourselves and others.

Following his speech, students from each division shared their reflections on the 2024-25 theme. Two representatives from Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools delivered thoughtful speeches, exploring the role of optimism in their lives and education.

In recognition of their outstanding contributions, five Viewpoint staff members received prestigious awards. The Handley Chair of American Studies was awarded to Cisco Dilg, who was praised for his dedication to fostering intellectual inquiry and a love of learning in his students. The William Turner Levy Chair for Inspired Teaching was presented to Carrie Petty, whose passion for teaching math and innovative approaches to student engagement have left a lasting impact. The Excellence in Teaching Awards went to Nick Vacca and Brittany Hall, both of whom were celebrated for their creativity, dedication, and the deep relationships they build with their students. Finally, the Spirit of Viewpoint Award was given to Matthew Powers, recognized for his tireless behind-the-scenes work that keeps the school running smoothly, embodying the very spirit of the school through his resourcefulness and positive attitude.

The Convocation also showcased the talents of the Upper School concert choir, under the direction of Middle and Upper School Choral Teacher Carrie Dietsch, who sang our National Anthem, and a beautiful rendition of “Ripple” by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. They concluded the event with a heartfelt rendition of the school's alma mater, leaving the audience filled with a sense of unity and inspiration.

As the school year begins, the spirit of optimism will continue to guide students, teachers, and staff, driving them to achieve new heights and make a positive impact on their community and the world. This Tenth Annual Convocation is a testament to the school's commitment to fostering a culture of creativity, inclusivity, and excellence.