Concert Ensembles (Winds and Percussion)

In addition to a thriving marching program, Point Loma High School offers a first-class concert band experience.  In these ensembles, every student has the opportunity to perform challenging concert literature.  There are two different levels of concert band ensembles at PLHS, both of which participate in local festivals.  The bands meet separately during the day.  Both ensembles perform a diverse range of literature and occasionally rehearse with professional clinicians during the concert season to gain a deeper understanding of the skills necessary to perform at a higher level of musicianship. The bands will be preparing music for  large ensemble festivals.  These festivals typically take place in the Spring.  Members of these ensembles also have the opportunity to participate in Solo and Ensemble festivals as well as All-State, All-Southern and All-District Honor Bands.

• Concert Band is a year-long performance based course open to any student who plays or wishes to play a wind instrument, regardless of ability or experience.  While beginners are welcome into the class, this is not a beginning level class.  Students in this class work on the fundamentals of musicianship and perform challenging literature. Concert band meets during the school day, and students receive Visual and Performing Art (VAPA) credit for the course. Homework requirement: minimum of 60 minutes a week.
• Wind Ensemble is a year-long performance based course comprised of advanced musicians. Individual musicianship and ensemble techniques are emphasized in this course. The ensemble performs advanced high-school and college level literature in this course. Students in this course should be comfortable reading in all twelve major keys, should be able to count rhythms in a variety of simple and compound meters, and should understand standard music terminology.  Wind Ensemble meets during the school day, as well as one evening rehearsal a week during the second semester.  Students receive Visual and Performing Art (VAPA) credit for the course.  Homework requirement: minimum of 120 minutes a week.
• All percussionists will be placed into a Percussion Class. The goal of this class is to provide a solid foundation for all percussion techniques (rudimentary, mallets, timpani, and small auxiliary) while preparing percussion ensemble music throughout the year. Students will acquire the skills needed for placement in the percussion sections of Symphonic Band/ Wind Ensemble, and for participation in the Winter Percussion ensemble. Students receive Visual and Performing Art (VAPA) credit for the course.  Homework requirement: 60-120 minutes a week.