Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School

Academic Excellence Enhanced By A Unique, Creative Curriculum

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How Music Enhances Learning at Steiner

April 11, 2019

Musical literacy and expression is an important component of Waldorf education, and anyone who’s seen student performances at Steiner knows how students’ musical education is being tended and nurtured. Whether it’s our 9-12 year olds performing in Presto Strings ensemble throughout Berkshire County, or members of the earlier grades singing and playing Choroi flutes, we are fortunate to have a rich music program that includes both vocal and instrumental music integrated throughout the curriculum.

8th grade recorder ensemble

Waldorf teachers utilize music’s unifying gesture from the very beginning. In Early Childhood classrooms, when teachers sing and children instinctively imitate the song, the classroom is calm and relaxed, and moves gently through transitions such as dressing in winter gear or tidying up after snack. Waldorf early childhood teachers are sometimes called “child whisperers,” and music is one of their most effective methods! They might also pick up and softly strum a harp or lyre during stories and before nap time.

At Steiner, instrumental music lessons start in first grade with pear wood interval flutes that have one or two holes. The children learn form – how to sit like musicians, hold their instruments and care for them, and practice proper breathing technique while playing their instrument – and they learn to differentiate tones by ear. In second grade, students move to the pentatonic flute, which has the notes of the pentatonic scale from D to E (and no wrong notes, as they all sound good together). In third grade, students begin to play the Choroi diatonic flute, based on the more complex diatonic scale. Starting in fifth grade, students learn the recorder, and by the time they reach middle school they become part of a recorder ensemble with soprano, alto, tenor and bass recorders playing multiple parts, and often provide the music for their own dramatic performances. As in singing and in dramatic roles, they start in unison in the younger grades, branch into parts as they become more experienced and accomplished, and eventually step out as soloists. By middle school, students participate in both chorus and orchestra.

In The Guardian, Mo Costandi writes, “Musical training has what psychologists refer to as transfer effects; in other words, learning to play a musical instrument seems to have a far broader effect on the brain and mental function, and improves other abilities that are seemingly unrelated.” Studies show that learning to play a musical instrument not only increases grey matter volume in various brain regions, but can also strengthen the long-range connections between them. Other research shows that musical training also enhances verbal memory, spatial reasoning, and literacy skills. “Music probably does something unique,” explains neuropsychologist Catherine Loveday of the University of Westminster. “It stimulates the brain in a very powerful way, because of our emotional connection with it.”

Steiner Music Director Eileen Markland teaching 4th grade strings class

The strings program at Steiner starts in third grade. Students have the choice of violin or cello. They learn in groups by instrument, as part of their school day, for the first two years. In fifth grade, they can continue with strings or choose any orchestra instrument. Individual after school lessons often start in fifth grade as well, and students may audition for advanced extracurricular ensemble groups Presto and Allegro, which present their “Meet the Strings Family” and perform at various community events, schools and venues including The Norman Rockwell Museum, Hancock Shaker Village, The Colonial Theater, Pine Cobble School and St. Mary’s School.

Music Director Eileen Markland discussed the Steiner advantage for students, for whom music is not an “extra” but an integral part of learning:

What was your training and experience as a musician, and how long you have worked at Steiner?
I have been singing and playing the piano ever since I can remember, and today I am a career violinist. After college, I set out to explore all corners of the performing world, only to find myself undeniably drawn to and intrigued by the challenge and rewards of music education. I have been at Steiner for three years, and for two years as Music Director.
What are the festival/season-related musical performances that occur at school each year for grades students?
Music is a part of all festival and seasonal observances and celebrations at Steiner. Students present two “All School” recitals, one in the winter and another in the spring. All classes fourth grade and up hold a “class recital” in May.
Mrs. Kelly rehearsing 8th grade sopranos and altos for the upcoming performance of “Oliver!”
The ability for children to memorize lyrics and notes is so impressive. What is your secret for teaching them so well?
Children learn music in the same way they do language. As in language, children can speak before they can read and write. My secret? The brilliance and passion of the students! Isn’t it interesting that in Waldorf education, students start learning music and Spanish in the first grade, and learn by total immersion, “by ear” (as they are so able to do in the younger years), then begin learning to read and write both music and Spanish starting in the 4th grade.
What instruments are offered at Steiner, and do all students play one?
All Steiner students are musicians and play multiple instruments. The children play Choroi flutes in the first, second and third grades, and recorders in the later grades with their classroom teachers. In music class, we sing and explore the world through stories and singing. In the third grade, all students begin to study the violin or cello in school, and will play an instrument through the eighth grade. In the seventh and eighth grades, all students sing in the chorus. Our strong sense of school community is cultivated, expressed and shared through music.

Filed Under: News & Events, Steiner News & Events Tagged With: diatonic flute, Eileen Markland, GBRSS, GBRSS Presto Strings, Mo Costandi, Music, Music at Steiner, Musical classes at Steiner, Musical Training, Neuroprotective Lifestyle, pentatonic flute, Presto Strings, recorder, Waldorf Education, Waldorf Education in the Berkshires

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Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School
35 West Plain Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230

(413) 528-4015 (Telephone)
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info@gbrss.org

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