Frequently Asked Questions
DO STUDENTS NEED TO BE MEMBERS OF VHS?
Students do not need to be members of Valley Homeschoolers (VHS) in order to participate in The Valley Troubadours.
The Valley Troubadours is an independent organization that supports VHS, its mission, and its many activities and events for homeschoolers in the Fox Valley area.
Rehearsals will be held each Thursday or Friday at Belfry Hall (900 N. Mason St.) in Appleton, WI, conveniently located between Wisconsin and College Avenues near downtown Appleton.
Our rehearsals are open so parents are always welcome to stay or drop off/pick up their students. We love visitors! Feel free to stop in and watch us in action anytime.
WHERE ARE REHEARSALS HELD?
WHEN DO SEMESTERS START/END?
Our semesters run for approximately 13-15 weeks, September-December and January-May (rehearsals will not be held the Friday after Thanksgiving, or on Good Friday).
Each semester culminates in a concert (Christmas Concert and Spring Concert), typically the second Fridays of December and May. Students must attend a minimum of 10 rehearsals in order to participate in the concert.
Tuition includes the cost of instruction for the semester, plus additional costs for facilities, equipment, and music materials except for the following:
Band/Strings/Tin Whistle/Ukulele/Guitar students must rent or purchase their own instrument, reeds and/or instrument supplies, and a method book for each student, as applicable.
WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH TUITION?
IS PRIOR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY?
No previous music experience is necessary​ for participation in our main choral ensembles or Beginning Band.
Cadet Band (age 11+) requires at least 1 year of experience.
Concert Band (age 13+) is for experienced students, or by Director invitation.
Jazz Band (age 12+) is with Cadet or Concert Band registration.
The Valley Troubadours, LLC is a Christian organization.
Due to the diversity of faith and practice in our Troubadours community, we ask that all students are modest, respectful, and conservative in both dress and behavior commensurate with a Christian academic environment when participating in Troubadours activities.
Although it is not required for students to be Christian in order to participate in the Valley Troubadours, all curriculum, repertoire, class management, and policy decisions will reflect, or at a minimum not directly contradict, a Christian worldview. As we seek to glorify God and show Christian love and respect in all that we do, these decisions are under the sole discretion of the Valley Troubadours.
IS VALLEY TROUBADOURS, LLC A CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION?
DO CLASSES FOLLOW A CURRICULUM?
Band classes use the Standard of Excellence method book series as its foundational material, Strings students use Essential Elements, while Choir classes utilize the Voice for Life curriculum.
Music literature is selected, in part, to convey musical concepts & theory in an approachable & enjoyable manner.
NOTE: All repertoire is selected to, at a minimum, not directly contradict a Christian worldview.
The vast majority of our students are homeschooled, and the Valley Troubadours was created for that purpose. As an educational organization, we fully support home-centered education in its many forms.
We welcome Virtual School students (BVA approved provider), with the understanding that all curriculum, repertoire, & policy decisions are under the sole discretion of Valley Troubadours.