High School

High School Music

Valley Catholic has always been known for fine music: its recent successes are part of a long tradition.  In the last four years Valiants have won five individual State Championships in music. There are no size classifications in OSAA music competitions — students from schools of every size compete against each other.

Valley’s Concert, Jazz, and Pep Bands are directed by Dan Schauffler, an Oregon musical legend.  Dan was the saxophonist for The Crazy 8’s, one of the all-time great college bands.  Before The Crazy 8’s were formed, Dan played with Nu Shooz, whose “I Can’t Wait” rose to #3 on the Billboard Pop Chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award.  Dan leads Valley’s bands with all the energy and sense of fun that made The Crazy 8’s famous. 

In 2008, only five schools in Oregon met the qualifying standards for the State Championships in both String and Full Orchestras, four of the largest schools in the state, and Valley Catholic.  Valley’s orchestras and string ensemble are directed by Travis Hatton, who is also the conductor of the Concert Orchestra of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra. This year, he will guest conduct the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Mt. Hood Pops Orchestra, the Washington Idaho Symphony Orchestra, and the Beaverton Chamber Symphony. 

The Valley Catholic High School choir travels every other year — alternating with a band/orchestra — to Hawaii, Canada, or California and sing also at the State Capitol every winter, in OSAA competitions, and at three major on-campus concerts.  Sister Juliana Monti, Chair of Valley’s Fine Arts Department and head of the Valley Catholic Music School, has for almost 40 years devoted her career to Valley Catholic music.  She has directed Valley’s choirs since 1970 and with Sr. John Therese Miller, founded Valley Catholic’s band program. 

Our ensembles include:

  • Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band
  • Choir, Varsity Singers, Kingsmen, Women’s Chorale
  • Orchestra, String Ensemble, Quartets
  • Handbell Team
  • Harp Program:  Home of the 2007 & 2008 State Champion