The importance of Music in Steiner Education

At Port Macquarie Steiner School, music is a part of daily school life. From the rhythmic songs of the kindergarten morning circle to the harmonies of the marimba and recorder ensembles in the upper classes, music weaves through every stage of a child’s learning journey.

Music as a Path to Wholeness
In Steiner education, music nurtures the whole child — head, heart, and hands.

Singing, playing instruments and moving to rhythm help children connect with themselves and the world around them. Through melody and rhythm, children experience balance, harmony, and joy.

Music supports emotional wellbeing, strengthens memory and concentration, and fosters empathy and cooperation. When children make music together, they learn to listen deeply to one another, to the group and to the subtle patterns of sound and silence.

A Developmental Journey
Music in the Steiner curriculum unfolds in harmony with each child’s stage of development:

• In Kindergarten, singing and movement are woven into daily routines, bringing comfort, joy, and rhythm to the day.
• In the early primary years, children begin to explore simple instruments such as recorders, lyres, and percussion. These build fine motor skills, listening, and breath control.
• By the middle and upper years, students are reading music, performing in ensembles, and expressing themselves through composition, harmony, and song.

Each stage builds naturally on the last, allowing confidence and skill to grow.

From Class 3, all students begin learning to play either violin or cello and these lessons continue weekly until the end of class 6. The school provides the instruments, and a small hire fee is charged, along with the lesson fees, on a term by term basis. Learning to play a string instrument contributes to a child's development in so many ways and allows them to express themselves musically.

Strength and coordination in the hands and fingers, crossing the midline with the bow, listening carefully to pitch and tone production, and learning to read music notation. The dedication over a long period of time teaches perseverance, and achievements are well earned.

Studies have demonstrated the benefits of developing the unique neurological pathways between both hemispheres of the brain that comes with learning a stringed instrument, with improved classroom and academic performance as a result.

​For neuro-diverse students, learning music has additional therapeutic benefits, providing a safe space to connect and express themselves creatively. Each week all the strings students gather to play together in the school string ensemble, led by one of the strings tutors. Students learn the important skills and enjoyment of playing music as a group, including teamwork, active listening and advancing aural skills.

Music Builds Community
Music brings our school community together at festivals, assemblies and seasonal celebrations. Whether it’s a simple morning song or a full marimba performance, music creates purpose and belonging.

​The Gift of a Musical Education
Through music, children learn to listen, collaborate and express their inner life with confidence. These are qualities that last far beyond their school years. In Steiner education, we see music as a gift that strengthens the will and awakens creativity in every child.