A letter from Valley Catholic Music School Director Beckie Hocker
Dear Music School Families,
Summer Music Camp, June 22 – 26 – Registration is open!
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. VC Summer Music Camp is open to all elementary children and is held during the last week of June.
Performance season is here! Please mark your calendar for the important dates below.
March Recitals:
Friday, March 13
Albert Palmeter, Piano 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Seung Min Oh Piano 6 – 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 14
Henriet Thompson, Voice and Piano 11 a.m. – Noon
Anson Wright, Guitar/Eugene Howe, Violin Noon – 1 p.m.
Misty Williams, Harp 1 – 2 p.m.
Mila Bada, Piano 2 – 3 p.m.
Rebecca Schappert, Piano 3 – 4 p.m.
Junko Gilliland, Piano 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 15
Chris Swanson, Violin 4 – 5 p.m.
Beckie Hocker, Flute 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
NEW THIS YEAR! Flute Jazz Night
Saturday, April 11 at 6 p.m.
Attendance is free – registration is required https://ssmo.org/flute-jazz-night/
Young Artist Recital
Mark your calendar for the always special and inspiring Young Artist Recital on Sunday, May 17 at 2 p.m.
It is an afternoon of wonderful music with a select group of students performing pieces from a variety of styles and composers. These talented and dedicated students represent Valley Catholic School and other local schools in our community as many students across the region take private lessons from our Music School Staff. A reception will immediately follow in the cafeteria of the high school.
This performance is FREE and open to everyone.
Instructor of the Month
Henriët Fourie-Thompson
Fearless soprano Henriët Fourie sings with “luminous tone and security.” (Chicago Classical Review) Emitting an uncommon “vibrancy and urgency” (Chicago Classical Review) in oratorio performance, Fourie has featured as a soloist at The Ravinia Festival, June in Buffalo, The Piccolo Spoleto Festival USA, The Handel Week Festival, Chicago’s annual Schubertiade, and with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Slee Sinfonietta and the Bella Voce Sinfonia. Conductors she has worked with include such luminaries as Marin Alsop, Ricardo Muti, Carlos Kalmar, Andrés Arozco-Estrada, and Gil Rose on stages including Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park. A sensitive and sophisticated collaborator, Fourie sings with In Mulieribus, Cappella Romana, and Cantores in Ecclesia. She is also a certified Suzuki voice teacher and has enjoyed years of being a committed teacher to singers of all ages. A native of South Africa, Fourie resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband, trombonist Andrew Thompson, and their two sons Jurgen and Cornelius. Fourie holds degrees in Vocal and Piano Performance from the College of Charleston and a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from DePaul University where she studied with Julia Bentley.
The Music School is requesting testimonials from our registered families currently taking lessons. We appreciate any feedback you can provide and willingness to share on our website. Visit our Music School homepage to complete your testimonial. We appreciate your thoughtful consideration.
If you are interested in registering for lessons during the school year, contact the music department first to assure there is space and an agreed upon schedule before registering.
Beckie Hocker, VC Music School Director
To learn more about VC Music School, visit ssmo.org/vcs/schools/music or follow us on Facebook and Instagram or email me directly.
