Do your children tell you that we sing at Lower School Assembly?
Last Thursday, as I walked from Lower School Assembly to Bancroft, I caught myself singing “This Land is Your Land” by Arlo Guthrie. It was at full volume, and I was doing the hand motions that go with the song that Marj Martin had taught the Lower School a few years ago. Ms. Victoria would have been appalled, but I was in a state of joy and wonder.
As I opened the door to Bancroft, I thought about all the reasons we sing at Lower School Assembly, and realized I have never shared them with parents.
Assemblies at Crossroads are a time for students to come together as a community, to practice shared traditions, and to begin the day with a sense of joy and belonging. One of the central features of Lower School Assembly is singing, and Dr. Freeberg often leads us. We sing classics like “All Work Together,” “This Land is Your Land,” and “Stand by Me.” However, we also sing poignant and thoughtful songs, such as “Three Little Birds” and “All You Need Is Love.” And when the mood hits, we have been known to do a rousing “Sea Shanty!”
We sing for several essential reasons. First, singing builds community. When children raise their voices together, they experience the joy of being part of something larger than themselves, strengthening the bonds between classmates and across grade levels. Second, singing supports learning. Music aids memory, develops listening skills, and nurtures the rhythm and confidence that support both literacy and public speaking. Finally, singing cultivates gratitude and joy. Many of our songs celebrate timeless virtues and values, and students leave the assembly with a positive, shared energy that carries over into their classrooms.
By singing together, our Lower School students practice harmony—literally and figuratively. These moments are simple yet profound, reminding us all of the power of music to shape virtue, community, and culture.
Ask your Lower School students what songs they sing in Assembly!
