A letter from Valley Catholic Middle School Principal Dr. Jennifer Gfroerer
Dear VCMS Families,
A Living Legacy of the Arts
Our campus schools have a rich and enduring legacy in the arts, one that remains deeply woven into the fabric of the middle school program today. For many in our community, memories of the annual Christmas Concerts are indelible: choirs and orchestras joining together in a rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus,” an iconic excerpt from Handel’s Messiah, with alumni invited to the stage to participate in this finale. Alongside these traditions, the art that continues to grace our campus stands as a visible reminder of how faith, creativity, and excellence have always been intertwined here.
It is heartening to see that this foundation, so intentionally laid by the Sisters, has not only endured but flourished. Today, our program includes six performing arts ensembles: Beginning Band, Intermediate Band, Choir, Orchestra, Dance, and Drama. Our visual arts offerings have also expanded, encompassing Painting, Portrait Drawing, Sculpture, Arts and Design, Digital Arts, Stop-Motion Animation, and Fiber Arts. Together, these opportunities allow students to explore, express, and grow through multiple artistic lenses.
Each year, the Christmas Concert and Art Fair, held just before Christmas break, serve as a powerful celebration of this work. The following day, students gather again to listen to one another, share their creations with peers, and reflect alongside the entire staff. This biannual rhythm, repeated in both winter and spring, reinforces a culture of appreciation and shared purpose.
The value of music, art, and performance in education is well documented in brain research, but here, you can sense the value firsthand. You can sense it as an audience member. You can see it in the confidence of our students. And you can feel it in the spirit of community that fills the room.
We are deeply grateful to the Sisters for the strong foundation they established and for the model they left for those who followed. We are honored and blessed to carry this legacy forward as part of the ongoing mission.
View the Flickr photo album from our recent VCMS Christmas Concert and Art fair.
Dr. Jennifer Gfroerer
