Steiner’s lectures repeatedly refer to the benefits for all humans of actively engaging with music-making.
This view is reflected in Orana’s curriculum and timetable; all students have opportunity to be active music-makers, be it singing together with loved Pre-school teachers, learning first notes on pentatonic recorder in Class 1, being encompassed by warm sonorities in a string orchestra in Class 4, composing music for a story in Class 6, Strumming guitars in Class 8, singing as a whole High School twice a week, presenting items at each term’s Twilight Concert, or seriously concentrating on building personal skills in peripatetic instrumental lessons.
Orana’s staff are another layer in this musical community. They sing together at meetings and conferences, and this term, Primary Faculty have explored the meaning, use and challenges of music. They have worked with Maia at the beginning of meetings this term and explored how to extend songs for morning circle using movement, rhythm, ostinato riffs, and rounds. We also have been so lucky to have Judy Clingan give several hands-on workshops for Primary school staff at Orana and other Steiner Schools in our region.
One joy of music-making at Orana is the sense of constant change and imaginative adaption in the face of new needs and exciting possibilities, while maintaining connection with the deep impulses of Steiner’s wise observations.
Maia Harrison – Music Coordinator
