Viewpoint’s campus was once again filled with exceptional music as the school hosted its annual CAIS Honors Music Festival across Friday and Saturday, February 6-7, culminating in two outstanding performances by 250 student musicians from 18 independent schools across Southern California.

This year’s festival held added significance as Viewpoint celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Carlson Family Theater (CFT). The first performance ever held in the theater in 2006 was the CAIS Music Festival.

The festival featured two concerts in the CFT, beginning with the Choir Concert at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Instrumental Concert at 5 p.m. Dr. Kristin Herkstroeter, Music Department Chair at Viewpoint School, served as the event organizer.

A hallmark of the CAIS Honors Music Festival was the opportunity for students to work with three guest conductors from other independent schools and music programs, expanding their musical experience beyond their own campuses.

"Working with guest conductors is such a valuable experience for our student musicians. Every conductor does things a little differently and it is important that students learn how to adapt," said Herkstroeter. "Conductors often also share their journey to becoming a conductor. This is invaluable for our students, as they are just starting to think about their career journey."

The Choir Concert featured the Concert Choir under the direction of guest conductor Mr. John Hendricks of St. Paul’s Schools. The ensemble performed songs that ranged from classical works such as Haydn’s “Gloria” to contemporary selections including “Holding the Light” by B.E. Boykin and “Ad Astra (To the Stars…).”

Following the choir performance, the Instrumental Concert opened with the Concert Band, conducted by Mr. Steven Fox of Crescendo School of Music and Dance. The ensemble performed selections including “October” by Eric Whitacre and “Baba Yetu” by Christopher Tin.

The evening concluded with the String Orchestra, led by composer and educator Mr. Richard Meyer, performing selections from “Serenade for Strings” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as well as contemporary works including “Momentum” and “Swamp Thang.”

“I hope that our students are proud of the hard work they put into the festival, both in preparing before the festival and then at the actual event. I hope that they realize how rewarding it is to work hard to create the magic of music,” Herkstroeter added.

Viewpoint School extends its congratulations to the student musicians and music teachers from the following participating schools:

• Archer School for Girls
• Brentwood School
• The Buckley School
• Cate School
• Chadwick School
• Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences
• Flintridge Preparatory School
• Harvard-Westlake Middle School
• Harvard-Westlake Upper School
• La Jolla Country Day School
• Marlborough School
• Marymount High School
• Mirman School
• Polytechnic School
• Rolling Hills Preparatory School
• Sierra Canyon School
• St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
• Viewpoint School
• Westridge School for Girls

In case you missed it, watch the Choir Concert, Band Concert, Strings Concert, or the Full Concert from this year’s CAIS Honors Music Festival.