If you’ve ever stepped into a Valley Park concert, you know our music programs don’t just fill a room with sound. They fill it with connection. Thanks to the talents and leadership of Mrs. Stephanie Shrum (Elementary Music), Ms. Allison Hungate Wood (Secondary Choirs) and Ms. Laura Porter (Secondary Band), music has become one of the strongest threads tying our students and community together.
Walk into Mrs. Shrum’s music room and you’ll see curiosity popping up everywhere as kids dive into songs, rhythms and playful learning. Her youngest learners sing, move, create and play in ways that strengthen language skills, pattern recognition and emotional expression. Mrs. Shrum stated, "I love that I get to teach music while they are still little - less self-aware and full of creativity and joy. This leads to so much fun, love, and beauty that I get the pleasure of experiencing and molding. And, there's nothing like concert night and watching the results of our hard work. That is one of the best feelings!"
As students grow, Ms. Hungate Wood’s choirs take that spark and shape it into something bigger. Her students learn how to blend their voices, listen closely to one another and breathe together to create one clear harmony. It's teamwork at its best. They discover how discipline and creativity go hand in hand and they see the impact they can have when they work together.
And that work shows. We’ve had students qualify for All District Choir, participate in District Solo and Ensemble at both the Middle and High School levels, and move on to State Solo and Ensemble where they’ve earned Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. Nine Middle School choir students earned spots in the St. Louis County Honor Choir this January. We also celebrate the accomplishments of our Tri-M International Music Honor Society members, who lead the way in service and musicianship.
Then comes the excitement of Mrs. Porter’s band program, where students turn practice into music that really comes alive. Playing an instrument isn’t easy. Students listen, adjust and work together as a group, and in the process they build confidence, resilience and pride that carries into everything they do at school.
Our music programs aren’t just an academic asset. They’re one of our strongest tools for community building. This year alone, our student performers shared their talents at the Heroes Day Breakfast, districtwide concerts and will be performing on March 6, 2026 at our Golden Club Breakfast. Most recently, they brought the holiday spirit to the Valley Park Community Tree Lighting, where families and neighbors gathered to share a little winter cheer. Music connects people in a quiet, powerful way, and these performances make that clear. It’s one of the reasons Valley Park feels so close and community-minded.
These programs strengthen the skills and experiences we want for every student. Music builds teamwork, confidence and a real sense of belonging. It gives students chances to practice, grow and take pride in their progress, and it creates moments where they feel supported and seen. It also brings families and neighbors into our schools in meaningful ways, helping everyone feel connected to the learning happening here. In other words, music supports everything we value in teaching and learning.
Mrs. Shrum, Ms. Hungate Wood and Ms. Porter bring passion, patience and a whole lot of heart to Valley Park. They set high expectations, encourage students to take creative risks and create spaces where every learner feels welcome.
Their work reminds us that music isn’t just an elective. It’s a foundation. A connector. A way for students to grow academically and emotionally while helping our small-but-mighty district shine.
And every time a room fills with their students’ voices, instruments or joyful smiles, it becomes clear: music isn’t just part of our school day. It’s part of who we are.
Click the image below to see the pics from our Winter Choral Concert and the VP Tree Lighting