Something new and exciting is
beginning within Valley's Music
Department. In the past few
years, the Music Department has
been constantly changing,
improving, and gaining in
prestige. Following those
precedents, a new Conservatory
of Music was launched at Valley
Christian this year.
Mr. Troy Gunter, Director
of Visual and Performing Arts,
decided to propose a plan two
years ago that would enable
gifted students to make music
their focus while attending
Valley. This proposal was
considered, accepted, and
revised to become the
conservatory it is now. Those in
the conservatory are able to fit
two or three music classes into
the standard seven-period day.
They are given special
graduation requirements which
allow for an emphasis on music
knowledge and performance.
This is a groundbreaking and
monumental feat that is
unprecedented among high
schools. According to Mr.
Jeff Wilson, "This is a one
of a kind program" especially
since it is at a Christian
school so the focus is different
than it would be at any other
school. Different from an
average high school's music
department, Valley has teachers
who specialize in their field.
Mr. Dave Gregoric is a
professional trombone player who
specializes in the jazz
ensembles and technology
classes. He said that private
instruction will help students
on their quest to become better
performers. According to Mr.
Gregoric, the conservatory will
prepare students for "real-world
working-musician situations."
With all these changes, a couple
of new teachers have been
welcomed to Valley's faculty.
Mrs. Lily Homer is the new
Director of String Development
and teaches strings at the
elementary school. Mr. Scott
Homer is the Director of
Orchestral Studies and is the
conductor of the new Symphonic
Orchestra. Both have impressive
musical backgrounds, and Valley
is fortunate to gain their
expertise. Many new music
classes are now offered at
Valley for those in the
Conservatory. One of these new
classes is the Symphonic
Orchestra. With a class
specifically devoted to the
orchestra for the first time,
great things can be expected to
come in the next few years from
this group.
Incoming freshmen and sophomores
were accepted this year to be a
part of the first group to
graduate from the Valley
Christian Conservatory
of Music.
