Hello everyone!
I am excited to get the school year started and I can’t wait to get to know everyone in my new role on campus as the band director. I know many of you know who I am, but for some who are not familiar with me, I look forward to working with you and your students within the band program. The campus has taken on many changes this summer and the band room had quite the face-lift; the space looks great and I encourage you to check it out next time you’re on campus.
To give everyone a little insight to my move over to the band room, I want you to know that band has been my passion for a very long time. My family was very musical and I started taking piano lessons at a young age. When I could join band in 5th grade, I started off on trumpet and played for a little over a year on that instrument. Through my time in beginning band, the percussionist’s in the back of the room always looked to have a little bit more fun than the brass section, so in 7th grade I made the switch to percussion and loved it so much I made it a point to continue with music and percussion all the way through college. I attended Murray State University where I received my bachelors of music education, being certified to teach K-12 band and/or choir. I was very fortunate to find Valley Park as I was moving back to the St. Louis area right after college and I’m extremely happy to be able to continue with such amazing students in this district and to be able to see many of them continue to grow as young men and women. Since being back in St. Louis, I have worked with Oakville High Schools marching band every summer/fall for their marching season and I also joined a women’s chorus to be able to continue to perform in the community.
Just like the district, I’m sure the band program will continue to change and evolve over the next year and I’m truly looking forward to growing our program. The students and families are what make Valley Park such an incredible place to work and I love being able to spend so much time with you all. If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to bring them to my attention.
Laura Porter
Valley Park Band Director
636-923-3516
[email protected]
I am excited to get the school year started and I can’t wait to get to know everyone in my new role on campus as the band director. I know many of you know who I am, but for some who are not familiar with me, I look forward to working with you and your students within the band program. The campus has taken on many changes this summer and the band room had quite the face-lift; the space looks great and I encourage you to check it out next time you’re on campus.
To give everyone a little insight to my move over to the band room, I want you to know that band has been my passion for a very long time. My family was very musical and I started taking piano lessons at a young age. When I could join band in 5th grade, I started off on trumpet and played for a little over a year on that instrument. Through my time in beginning band, the percussionist’s in the back of the room always looked to have a little bit more fun than the brass section, so in 7th grade I made the switch to percussion and loved it so much I made it a point to continue with music and percussion all the way through college. I attended Murray State University where I received my bachelors of music education, being certified to teach K-12 band and/or choir. I was very fortunate to find Valley Park as I was moving back to the St. Louis area right after college and I’m extremely happy to be able to continue with such amazing students in this district and to be able to see many of them continue to grow as young men and women. Since being back in St. Louis, I have worked with Oakville High Schools marching band every summer/fall for their marching season and I also joined a women’s chorus to be able to continue to perform in the community.
Just like the district, I’m sure the band program will continue to change and evolve over the next year and I’m truly looking forward to growing our program. The students and families are what make Valley Park such an incredible place to work and I love being able to spend so much time with you all. If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to bring them to my attention.
Laura Porter
Valley Park Band Director
636-923-3516
[email protected]