LWS Music Program

Music is one of the truly exceptional areas of the LWS curriculum. Research on the power of music to affect organic systems has been extensive. Music that is uplifting and expansive not only enhances learning, but enhances consciousness, and changes the energy of the group. Therefore a high quality music program that takes great care in choosing musical works is important to us.

Singing: Each class from pre-school to High School has a music class each week. The youngest grades begin with singing to develop musicality, rhythm, and a sense of fun and joy around music. As the students mature the music becomes more challenging for their developing abilities; harmony parts begin about the 4th grade. Our upper level classes usually have an advanced Chorale, depending on abilities and interests. Each year we have a winter and a spring music concert for children of all grades to perform their pieces, ranging from very simple kindergarten songs to the advanced singers and instrumentalists performing Handel's Messiah pictured in the photograph at the bottom of the page.

Recorders: Starting in first grade all students at LWS learn "black belt recorder" in which they earn a new colored thread to tie to their recorder for each level of accomplishment. All students find that they can learn easily, and by 5-6th grades they have developed skill, musicality, and confidence to play fairly well, including playing music in parts.

Chimes: Many students learn hand chimes around the 4th through 6th grade. This gives them the experience of working together to create an impressive chime ensemble.

Orchestra & Ensembles: Our music director, David Eby, is not only an accomplished and inspiring musician in his own right, but also has a genius for bringing out the best in the students. It has been unbelievable to see him create small award winning orchestras and ensembles year after year out of the limited number of students in our small school. A number of students study with private teachers. David teaches the cellists himself, but we also have extraordinary teachers of the violin, flute, piano, and various other instruments.

Music in the Mountains is a local competition for solos, ensembles and orchestras. If you go to their web page you will see a number of our students among their various photos. David has put these groups together and helped them prepare for the competition. Every year, one or more of our talented students, as soloists or in ensembles, is among the winners of the cash prizes offered.

White Light Kirtan Band: Three years ago one of our high school students who loved chanting started an extracurricular kirtan band using guitars, harmonium and tablas. It became so popular with students that it was brought into the school day as an elective, though it is still run by the students. The group has produced two CDs that feature an energetic blend of Eastern and Western chanting styles. So far the band has lead kirtans for enthusiastic audiences in Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., Quebec, and Hawaii, in addition to many performances along the West Coast from San Francisco to Seattle. To see a sample performance on the internet, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9uW2xBq_8o