Praise the Lord! Phase One Construction remains on schedule with occupancy planned for August 2011. Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements regarding the building dedication scheduled for Homecoming weekend, September 29 – October 1, 2011.
An exciting recent highlight is the installation of the glass panels to the exterior of the building. This beautiful glass entrance has been designed to portray the radiant light of God's creative works emanating from within the building.
While we have the finances to complete Phase One, we still need funding to complete Phase Two. Please prayerfully consider the positive impact you can make by donating to the Capital Campaign for the Conservatory of the Arts and Student Life Center.
Phase I will include:
Prayer Chapel/Recital Hall
Bi-Level Student Life/Remote Learning Center
Two Large Rehearsal Halls
Chamber Music Room
Music Technology Lab
Keyboard Lab
One General Classroom
Instrument Storage Areas
Staff/Administration Offices
Phase II will include:
Sculpture-Ceramic/3D Art Room
Multiple Media 2D Art Room
Two Photo/Graphic Art Rooms
Black Box/Dance Theater
Jazz Studio
Recording Studio
Suite of 17 Practice Rooms
Five Teaching Studios
Added Instrument Storage Areas
Music Library
For more information, read the Capital Campaign Brochure
Project History
On Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 9:35 pm after years of dreaming, praying, and planning, the San Jose City Council approved the construction of Valley Christian Schools’ proposed 55,000 square foot Conservatory of the Arts and Student Life Center. The building will fill the space between the Education/Theater Building and the edge of the Football Stadium.
The City of San Jose issued grading permits to launch construction of the Conservatory of the Arts on Monday, July 12, 2010.
On Wednesday, July 14, 2010 members of the Valley Christian Schools' Board, Prayer Intercessor Team and Senior Management Team met to pray and thank God for the successful launch of the project.
During this long and often difficult journey, VCS’ Board of Directors has often paused during meetings to pray for God’s direction. The change in economic climate has challenged the Board and the Executive Team in its careful deliberation as to God’s will and timing regarding this project. As with all of Valley Christian Schools’ construction projects, Chancellor Claude Fletcher successfully championed the entire City Planning and City Council approval process. Don Shipley, VCS’ CFO, repeatedly offered detailed financial projections that gave the Board a prudent balance of faith and reason during their analysis and discussion. We thank God for His leading and for our amazing VCS Board, Executive Team and the prayerful support of VCS’ intercessory prayer team, lead by Sheri Vavken.
A brief history of the Conservatory of the Arts
- 2004 - Mr. Troy Gunter began sharing with Dr. Daugherty that he believed God wanted to develop a VCS Conservatory of Music with specialized instructors for every course.
- 2005 - Dr. Daugherty challenged Mr. Gunter and Mr. Bob Rubino to perform a feasibility study to launch the Conservatory of Music.
- March 2006 - VCS Board approved the Launch of the Conservatory and Dr. Daugherty challenged Mr. Gunter to meet a first year goal of 25 students by the launch, 50 students for 2007 to justify construction of the hanging classroom (robotics room) by the fall of 2006.
- April 9, 2006 - The Conservatory of Music vision came to life as the Music Department’s performance of Handel’s Messiah at the Saratoga Federated Church.
- Fall 2006 - The Conservatory of Music launched with 22 students and ended the year with 27 students. Mr. Gunter converted a band storage room into a classroom.
- 2006 - The VCS Board directed that a third classroom floor be built on the new weight room building to accommodate up to 50 added students.
- January 2007 - In a strategic planning meeting, the Conservatory of the Arts and Student Life Center plan was embraced by the Conservatory leadership and the VCS Executive Team.
- November 2007 - Planning began for construction (Adele Willson and Lyn Eller of Slater Paull Architects and John Milburn of Milburn Architecture)
- March 2008 - VCS Board approved $20 million funding for the Weight/Classroom and the Conservatory of the Arts/Student Life Center.
- 2008 - The Hanging Classroom (robotics room) opened to accommodate 25 more students while the Conservatory enrollment grew to about 100 students.
- 2008 - The Weight/Classroom Building delayed – Two temporary classrooms were housed in the Wrestling Room until the Weight/Classroom Building would open.
- 2009 - The Weight/Classroom Building opened and the wrestling room was reopened.
- 2009 - Conservatory of the Arts enrolled 210 major and minor students.
- Golden Anniversary Conservatory Ground Breaking Ceremony, Friday, October 2, 2009, 6:30 pm.