New this fall: Ambleside wins grant for expansion of music program

Photo by Méline Waxx

One of my favorite memories from elementary school was playing the glockenspiel during our weekly music classes. The glockenspiels were placed on a long table facing my music teacher’s piano. When it was time to play, Mrs. Cope would call us up one by one and assign each of us an instrument. Then, she’d show us our part with the corresponding mallets. Each class member was assigned a different instrument with a unique part to play. 

Once we were all in position, the song would begin, and each of us would do our part. I have vivid memories of those happy, joyful times.

So when an opportunity arose in the late fall to apply for a sizable grant for our school, I knew immediately what to request—Orff instruments—enough for each student in a class to have one.

Glockenspiels are part of a collection of percussive instruments named after Carl Orff, who believed that instruments like bells, chimes, glockenspiels, metallophones, xylophones, and the timpani are the most natural form of human expression. 

As Orff said, “Music and movement are not simply to be learned, they must be lived.” This quote captures the essence of our music program—encouraging students to actively engage, explore, and "live" the music they are creating.

In December, we were thrilled to learn that we had been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Ashburn Family Foundation, and our planning for the funds commenced immediately. 

Sydney Smith, Ambleside’s music teacher, is registered for music education classes this summer at George Mason University's Community Arts Academy in preparation for using the instruments in the classroom, as well to expand her knowledge of Kodály instruction. Research is now underway to source high-quality instruments, and we aim to place our order by the middle of May.

Music is an essential component of the Ambleside experience. Students sing hymns daily during morning worship, study the works of history’s greatest composers through weekly appreciation classes, and attend music class twice a week.

Our goal is to enhance our students’ appreciation, skill, and enjoyment of music, and we’re excited about this opportunity to take Ambleside’s music program to the next level.

I’ll share more when the instruments arrive. In the meantime, know that we are making plans for the expansion of multiple programs at our school, and I look forward to sharing more news in the coming months.

For the children’s sake,

Krise