Music School Programs and Policies

Mission Statement

Through excellence in professional teaching and service, Valley Catholic Music School, sharing the charisma and mission of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, strives to give interested students the opportunity to recognize and develop their God-given musical talents. Valley Catholic Music School is open to students of all ages, affording them opportunities to develop as performers, musicians, and ongoing learners while enhancing their use of leisure time.

Terms and Conditions

Attendance

Consistency and commitment are the keys to developing and mastering any pursuit, including music. If your student must miss a lesson, we ask that you contact your instructor by phone and email at least 24 hours in advance if possible. There will be no refunds for student absences. However, arrangements may be made with the instructor for one make-up lesson per term at a mutually agreed upon time for an in-person or online make-up lesson. Lessons will take place during in-service and conference days. The music school will be closed on major holidays. 

The instructor is expected to give 24-hours notice of a cancellation unless it is an emergency. The instructor will work directly with those families who have missed lessons due to an instructor’s absence to schedule a makeup lesson.

Inclement Weather Cancellation

Official snow cancellation days or cancellations due to inclement weather or other extremely hazardous weather conditions will be determined by Valley Catholic Schools. The instructor will notify you if the school is closed with no lessons taking place. Weather conditions often change between early morning when announcements are made and afternoon/evening classes. If conditions change and the instructor and family agree, then lessons can be held.

Instruments Offered for Private Lessons
Valley Catholic Music School is open to the public, offering private lessons in the following instruments:

Cello

Double bass

Drums

Flute

Guitar

Harp

Piano

Violin

Viola

Voice

Registration

Lessons run from Sept. 14, 2026, through June 11, 2027. Tuition is based on a 35-week term and will be prorated according to the student’s registration date.

Lessons are not held during Thanksgiving week, winter break, spring break, Easter Monday, Memorial Day or Labor Day. Lessons may be offered on Veterans Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day when agreed upon by the instructor and family. Regularly scheduled lessons will take place on all in-service and conference days.

Registration is a two-step process.

Step 1: Pay the nonrefundable $75 registration fee.

Step 2: Complete registration for the desired private lesson class or classes.

A 10% tuition deposit is required at registration. Families may pay the remaining tuition in full or select a monthly installment plan.

Registering for Multiple Instruments

When registering for private lessons in a second or third instrument, select “Add another class.” Choose the lesson length of 30, 45 or 60 minutes and the instructor, if applicable.

Tuition is based on weekly lessons.

• $40 for 30 minutes
• $60 for 45 minutes
• $80 for 60 minutes

Tuition is based on weekly in-person or online lessons or a hybrid of both. The duration of the lessons will be chosen at registration. Changes in lesson length will take place at the beginning of a new month and must be agreed upon by both the parent/student and the instructor. On occasion the instructor and/or parent/student may wish for the lesson length to change based on the student’s needs. Additional lessons can also be made available if agreed upon with your instructor. Additional lessons occur when a student may be preparing for Syllabus advancement, solo and ensemble preparations and auditions for youth orchestras and scholarship opportunities. Additional lessons will be charged as a special assessment at the end of the month the additional lessons take place at the 30/45/60/ minute rate.

All monthly installment payments are due on the first of each month and will be processed by automatic charge from the credit card provided at the time of registration. You may also choose to pay the full term amount at the time of registration or any balance owed anytime during the term. There are no additional credit/debit card fees. 

Authorization To Charge My Card I authorize Valley Catholic Music School to charge my card(s) on file for any services rendered, or late fees incurred. The primary card on file will be charged first; any other cards on the account may be charged if it fails.

When a credit or debit card transaction fails, the account holder is notified of the declined payment. Ensuring that payment is made by the 5th of each month will avoid late fees and keep the student’s enrollment status active. If a payment is outstanding on the 6th day, the account will incur a $15 late fee. The monthly balance on the account must be paid in full within seven days to keep the student’s enrollment active.

If a balance remains on the account, the account will incur a late fee equal to 10% of the total balance due, and the student’s enrollment status will be paused. The student may only attend class once the account is paid in full.

The student’s account will be reactivated if the payment is made in full within 30 days. If a balance remains on the account after 30 days, the student’s enrollment will be withdrawn, and the account payment plan will be suspended. A new student may claim the withdrawn student’s spot in the class. If the balance is paid in full and the student’s spot remains open, the student’s enrollment status will be reinstated immediately upon receipt, and the payment plan will resume from the date of payment.

Withdrawals
Students withdrawing from the program must provide 30 days’ notice beginning on the first day of the month. Tuition will be charged through the end of the month in which the student withdraws.

Instructor Changes

Please contact the Music School directly with instructor concerns or requests to change instructors. The Music School will try to accommodate the requested change and will coordinate directly with the instructors.

Please do not contact the instructor to whom you would like to transfer. Once the change has been approved by the Music School office, the new instructor will contact you to arrange a lesson schedule.

About Our Instructors

All Valley Catholic Music School instructors are accomplished artists and dedicated professionals who share the school’s mission of helping students recognize and develop their musical talents.

For the protection of students, instructors must complete background checks and fingerprint verification. They also receive annual training sponsored by the Archdiocese of Portland on keeping children safe.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to prepare and practice diligently for their lessons each week and arrive on time. Students are expected to come to their lesson prepared with their music books and instrument, (if applicable). Students are to be considerate of others, entering the lesson area quietly. No food or drink is allowed in any of the lesson rooms. 

Ensemble Instruction

There may be opportunities during the school year where students are asked and recommended to be a part of an ensemble such as a duet, trio, quartet, etc. for a special performance(s) or competitions. Additional rehearsals may be required to instruct the students who accept these opportunities. The parent/guardian of the student will be contacted to obtain permission of the student’s participation. The rate for the ensemble instruction will be the same as one 30/45/60 minute private lesson.

Recitals
The Music School offers two recitals each year, in November and March. We encourage all students to participate in both recitals to gain experience practicing and preparing new music for performance.

Recitals provide children the opportunity to perform in a supportive environment with many benefits, including overcoming stage fright, building confidence, and developing essential musical skills.

In addition, the Music School hosts a Young Artist Recital each May. Students are selected by their instructor based on ability, commitment, dedication, and growth with their instrument during the year. This recital is successful when a variety of students of different ages and levels participate to showcase their progress.

Summer Music Camp
Our camp is designed for students in Grades K–5, with no prior musical experience required. Camp includes rotational segments in piano, recorder, violin, voice, and ukulele. Students learn music fundamentals such as rhythm, note reading, terminology, movement, and ear training—all while having fun with friends who enjoy music.

Our teachers are positive, encouraging, and supportive, helping each student learn individually and in a group setting. Summer Music Camp is open to all elementary children and is held during the last week of June.

Summer Lessons
Summer lessons run from June 15 through August 31, 2026. A minimum of six lessons is required at the time of registration. Registration for Summer Lessons opens June 1, 2026.

The Flutissimos 

This program is open to flute players from grades 4 to 12 with at least one year of experience in band, orchestra, private lessons or by recommendation. It is designed to expand small ensemble skills and individual player skills while performing as a group. We explore a variety of fun music while learning the basics of reading parts, intonation, rhythm and more. Students learn how to conduct themselves in duet, trio, quartet and small ensemble opportunities. The Piccolo (half-size flute), Alto and Bass flutes are available to learn when the student feels ready. Students will have various performance opportunities in the community. 

The program is intended to be a full year program with the understanding that 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.

Rehearsals are held on Fridays from 4 to 5:45 p.m. Students should arrive between 4 to 4:15 with individual warm up between 4:15 to 4:30. Group rehearsal begins promptly at 4:30.