• Cello

• Clarinet

• Double Bass

• Flute

• Guitar

• Harp

• Percussion

• Piano

• Saxophone

• Trombone/Euphonium/Tuba

• Viola

• Violin

• Voice

Valley Catholic Music School offers private instruction and is open to all youth and adults on and off the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) campus. We offer:

• Dedicated and trusted educators to help you learn a new instrument or enhance existing musical skills
• One-on-one instruction
• Expertise in music education and performance
• Beginner to advanced levels; pre-kindergarten to adult
• Participation in a least two recital performances per year
• Instruction in brass, woodwinds, strings, piano, harp and voice

Students can also participate in public performances, solo & ensemble contests and audition for scholarships. Lessons are offered Monday through Saturday at three locations on the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon campus: the SSMO Motherhouse, Valley Catholic Elementary and Middle School, and Valley Catholic High School.

Fee: A $25 non-refundable fee will be billed on the first month’s statement.

Tuition:

30-minute lesson per week: $35.00
45-minute lesson per week: $52.00
60-minute lesson per week: $70.00

Click here to register. 

Consistency and commitment are the keys to developing and mastering any pursuit, including music. Students are encouraged to attend their weekly lesson to progress their skills. A minimum of 24-hour advance notice is required for absent lessons. We understand illness or emergencies may occur and will do our best to accommodate a make-up lesson for those missed. Contact your instructor as soon as you know the lesson will be missed. 

Each student receives one excused absence per term (Fall, Winter, Spring). It must be requested through the instructor at a mutually agreed upon time to use the excused absence credit. There are no credits for missed make-up lessons and students will be charged for prearranged make-up lessons that are missed. 

There is no charge for lessons missed by the instructor. The instructor is expected to provide a minimum of 24-hour notice of a cancellation unless it is an emergency. It will be up to the discretion of the instructor and the student to arrange a make-up lesson.

Discontinued lessons: We require two lessons (or two week) notice to the instructor and Music School office when a student discontinues lessons as a courtesy to the instructor.

Students who have been registered in Valley Catholic Music School for at least two years are eligible to apply for a scholarship.

The scholarships are to be applied toward music school tuition. Music teacher recommendation is required. For more information, contact the music school office at 503-718-6499.

Scholarship auditions are due in May. Results of the scholarship awardees are announced by August 31.

For more information, please email Music School Director, Beckie Hocker or call 503-718-6499

Theory and Composition 1: 10 spots available – $249.00

Instructor:  Albert Palmeter

The theory class will consist of: Interval training, scales, chords, ear-training, and how to write a melody (elementary composition). 

Each student will have their own keyboard to learn more about theory and writing their own music.  Bring your iPad or laptop and personal ear buds or headphones.

Before registering, contact: 

• Albert Palmeter, Instructor, at 503-662-8202 or [email protected] 
• Beckie Hocker, Music Department at 503-718-6499 or [email protected]  

The Finance department will mail an invoice for payment.

Course Dates: Sept. 21 to Nov. 30, 2022 (no lessons during Thanksgiving week)

Time: TBD

Location: Ground Floor of Motherhouse, Auditorium

Course outline:

The theory class will cover:

1)   Intervals:

• How to identify intervals
• How to read them quickly
• How they function in harmony

2)    Scales:

• How to use tetrachords to find and construct major scales anywhere on the keyboard, easily and quickly
• Why the major scale is called “major” and why the minor scale is complicated with all its forms
• How to play the scales on a keyboard and coordinate both hands to do it
• The circle of fifths
• The relationship between the different keys
• A way to memorize the sharps and flats in each key

 3)   Chords:

• How to construct triads and seventh chords along with their inversions, including the different qualities or forms:
• Major, minor, augmented and diminished
• Chord nomenclature as well as their differing functions
• How to write and play them

 4)   Ear-training:

• How to identify intervals by ear

 5)   Elementary composition:

• How to write music starting from the most elementary 5 note melodies to more elaborate ones
• How to write chords to a melody
• How to compose a melody to harmony

Theory and Composition 2

This 10-week class is designed for students who have taken Theory and Comp 1 or those who have previous experience. Tuition: $249.00

Before registering contact:  

• Albert Palmeter, Instructor, at 503-662-8202 or [email protected]  
• Beckie Hocker, Music Department at 503-718-6499 or [email protected]   

The Finance department will mail an invoice for payment.

Course Dates:  Sept. 18 to Nov. 20, 2022 

Time:  TBD

Location:  Ground Floor of Motherhouse, Auditorium

1) Major and Minor Scales:

• Why the major scale is referred to as major
• Why the minor scale has three forms and their purposes, how they show up in composition

2) Basic counterpoint

3) Four-part harmony 

4) Continuing composition:

• The four ways of resolving dissonance
• Further training in writing melody to harmony
• Writing harmony to melody

5) The Seventh Chord

6) Cadences and modulations

Rehearsal location:  Motherhouse, ground floor, cold lunch auditorium.  

The Flutissimos is designed to expand small ensemble skills and individual player skills while performing as a group. We will explore a variety of fun music while learning the basics of reading parts, training the ear, rhythm and more. Students will learn how to conduct themselves in duet, trio, quartet and small ensemble opportunities. 

The Piccolo (half-size flute), Alto and Bass flutes will be available to learn when the student feels ready. Students will have various performance opportunities on campus and in the community. Please consider joining The Flutissimos!

• Open to all students with at least one year of experience playing in band or private lessons or by recommendation. 
• Open to both VC and non-VC students. 

PLEASE READ
We are excited to return to weekly rehearsals and performance opportunities. This is intended to be a full year program for the 2022/2023 season. 

New registration will begin in September of 2022. I understand there may be conflicts during the school year with sports or other activities. I welcome students who want to commit for the year, even if they have a temporary leave for other obligations.  

Music will be provided during those times of absence to learn and become proficient with the pieces we are learning. As with any ensemble rehearsal, attendance is very important so please let me know in advance so I can plan the music and performances accordingly.

Winter term: 

Jan. 13 – March 24, 2023 (9 sessions-no rehearsal on Feb. 17, Feb. 24)

Tuition:  $275.00

Friends and family performance and possible community performance

Spring term: 

April 14 – June 23, 2023 (10 sessions-no rehearsal on May 26)

Tuition:  $275.00

Friends and family performance and community performance. 

Beckie Hocker, Director

Summer lessons do not require registration if you are continuing from the school year.  

New students can register through our standard online registration process. The summer lesson schedule is more flexible than the academic year, making allowances for student vacations and camps. We do require the instructors be notified at least one week in advance if a student will be away from their weekly lesson. Any missed lessons without notice will be charged accordingly.

Summer Music Camp

Monday, June 26 through Friday, June 30, 2023

Grades K-6

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

$395

VC Music School offers a summer music camp with rotational segments on piano, recorder, violin and

voice. We teach basic music fundamentals, such as rhythm, note reading, terminology, movement

and ear training. We focus on having fun with friends who like music as much as we do. No previous

experience is necessary. However, if your child does have musical experience, we will work to

enhance what they already know. Our teachers are positive, encouraging and warm, allowing each

student to learn individually and in a group setting. Summer Music Camp is open to all! We look

forward to seeing you and your friends in June!

Space is limited.

Registration is now open!

What makes a summer music camp special?

Great teachers and learning something new. We offer rotational segments on piano, recorder, violin and voice with a special segment each day. We learn basic music fundamentals, such as rhythm, note reading and other terminology. We focus on having fun while learning, with people who like music as much as we do. No previous experience is necessary. However, if your child does have experience, we will work to enhance what they already know. Registration now open.

Camp dates: June 26 – 30 2023 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. | Click here to register.

Tuition $395

Henriet Fourie
Voice and Piano

Junko Gilliland
Piano

Beckie Hocker
Director and Flute Instructor

Sue Lewis
Violin

For more information, please email Beckie Hocker or call 503-718-6499.