Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many different music programs are there at PLHS?
There are a number of different musical offerings at Point Loma High School:
Q. How many of the classes are for credit courses?
Concert Band, Orchestra, Guitar, Choir, Music Theater, and AP Music Theory are year-long courses in which students receive VAPA credit. Color Guard is a year-long course that receives PE credit. Marching band meets only first semester, and students receive one semester of PE credit; Jazz Band only meets second semester, and students receive VAPA credit.
Q. Can my student receive PE credit for participating in band/orchestra?
The only way for students to receive PE credit for music is to participate in marching band or color guard. Marching band meets outside of the school day during the first semester only. Color guard attends all of the same rehearsals as marching band in the fall, and also meets outside of the school day during second semester. All marching band and color guard rehearsal and performance dates are updated on the calendar. In order for students to receive credit, they must attend all rehearsals and performances. Almost every band student participates in Vanguard, and many students in orchestra learn a secondary instrument to participate in Vanguard and receive PE credit.
Q. My student plays guitar/electric bass/drumset, which ensemble would work best?
This depends on a number of factors. For students who play guitar/bass and who are looking for a more traditional guitar/bass experience should elect to take one of our guitar classes. These classes meet all year, and would be the most appropriate venue for these musicians. Contact Mr. Anderson for more information. If the student is willing to learn how to play in the jazz style, they should inquire about jazz band, which meets after school during the second semester. There is also an opportunity to have these students participate in the front ensemble section of the marching band. Students interested in this should sign up for Marching Band (7th period) and prepare to rehearse three times per week with the band during first semester.
Q. Why does Jazz Band meet only during second semester?
Because most students in the Instrumental Music Program at Point Loma High School participate in the marching band, it is very difficult to find a time after school for students to meet during first semester. The Jazz Band begins to form when the marching season culminates in November. Students looking to participate in Jazz Band should check this website and our calendar for information regarding rehearsals and concerts.
Q. My student's schedule is already full, can he/she/they still participate without being enrolled in the class?
Students must be enrolled in a class to participate. The majority of rehearsing is done during the school day, and the quality of our program relies on students being in rehearsal. We understand that students' schedules can become easily filled with rigorous classes, but it would be unfair for students and teachers to open the ensembles to students who do not participate in the majority of rehearsals. Counselors and teachers are more than willing to meet with students regarding scheduling conflicts and concerns.
Q. Is it possible to participate in more than one music class?
Yes. Your student can easily arrange their schedule to fit more than one music class. Be sure to meet with a counselor to ensure that graduation requirements are still being met.
Q. Is there a prerequisite for AP Music Theory?
There is no prerequisite for AP Music Theory; however, to be successful in this rigorous college-level class, it is strongly encouraged that students enter the class being able to read traditional music notation-not tablature. Also, you will be required to sing in AP Music Theory, as well as learn the conventions of 18th century tonal harmony. While you will learn how to write your own compositions, this is not a course that focuses on writing popular or contemporary music. In order to prepare students to take the AP Theory exam, the class will be devoted to writing and analyzing four-part harmony, sight-singing, and musical dictation.
There are a number of different musical offerings at Point Loma High School:
- Vanguard (a.k.a. marching band) - meets during fall semester only and receives one semester of PE Credit. Consists of brass and woodwind instruments, color guard, front ensemble percussion, and drumline. Marching band has after school rehearsals three days per week in the fall, performs at home football games, Saturday marching competitions, school and community events, and holiday parades.
- Color guard - is the auxiliary unit to the marching band in the fall and competes in its own "Winterguard" competition circuit in the spring. Students in color guard register for the 6th period color guard class, have after school rehearsals all year, and receive a full year of PE credit. Color guard performs at home football games and Saturday marching competitions during the fall with Vanguard, and Saturday color guard competitions in the Spring.
- Concert Band - a musical ensemble that meets during the school day and performs at 4-6 concerts and festivals from December through the end of the school year. Receives VAPA credit
- Orchestra - a musical ensemble that meets during the school day and performs at 4-6 concerts and festivals throughout the school year. Receives VAPA credit.
- Jazz Band - an audition-based Big Band that meets after school during second semester and performs at various venues and concerts during the Spring. Jazz Band receives one semester of VAPA credit
- Beginning and Advanced Guitar - a music class that meets during the school day and performs at concerts and festivals throughout the year. Receives VAPA credit.
- Choir - a musical ensemble that meets during the school day and performs at concerts throughout the year. Receives VAPA credit.
- Music Theater - A new class at PLHS that learns and performs music theater productions throughout the year.
- AP Music Theory - an AP weighted advanced music class that studies 18th century tonal harmony and prepares students to take the AP Music Theory test in May.
Q. How many of the classes are for credit courses?
Concert Band, Orchestra, Guitar, Choir, Music Theater, and AP Music Theory are year-long courses in which students receive VAPA credit. Color Guard is a year-long course that receives PE credit. Marching band meets only first semester, and students receive one semester of PE credit; Jazz Band only meets second semester, and students receive VAPA credit.
Q. Can my student receive PE credit for participating in band/orchestra?
The only way for students to receive PE credit for music is to participate in marching band or color guard. Marching band meets outside of the school day during the first semester only. Color guard attends all of the same rehearsals as marching band in the fall, and also meets outside of the school day during second semester. All marching band and color guard rehearsal and performance dates are updated on the calendar. In order for students to receive credit, they must attend all rehearsals and performances. Almost every band student participates in Vanguard, and many students in orchestra learn a secondary instrument to participate in Vanguard and receive PE credit.
Q. My student plays guitar/electric bass/drumset, which ensemble would work best?
This depends on a number of factors. For students who play guitar/bass and who are looking for a more traditional guitar/bass experience should elect to take one of our guitar classes. These classes meet all year, and would be the most appropriate venue for these musicians. Contact Mr. Anderson for more information. If the student is willing to learn how to play in the jazz style, they should inquire about jazz band, which meets after school during the second semester. There is also an opportunity to have these students participate in the front ensemble section of the marching band. Students interested in this should sign up for Marching Band (7th period) and prepare to rehearse three times per week with the band during first semester.
Q. Why does Jazz Band meet only during second semester?
Because most students in the Instrumental Music Program at Point Loma High School participate in the marching band, it is very difficult to find a time after school for students to meet during first semester. The Jazz Band begins to form when the marching season culminates in November. Students looking to participate in Jazz Band should check this website and our calendar for information regarding rehearsals and concerts.
Q. My student's schedule is already full, can he/she/they still participate without being enrolled in the class?
Students must be enrolled in a class to participate. The majority of rehearsing is done during the school day, and the quality of our program relies on students being in rehearsal. We understand that students' schedules can become easily filled with rigorous classes, but it would be unfair for students and teachers to open the ensembles to students who do not participate in the majority of rehearsals. Counselors and teachers are more than willing to meet with students regarding scheduling conflicts and concerns.
Q. Is it possible to participate in more than one music class?
Yes. Your student can easily arrange their schedule to fit more than one music class. Be sure to meet with a counselor to ensure that graduation requirements are still being met.
Q. Is there a prerequisite for AP Music Theory?
There is no prerequisite for AP Music Theory; however, to be successful in this rigorous college-level class, it is strongly encouraged that students enter the class being able to read traditional music notation-not tablature. Also, you will be required to sing in AP Music Theory, as well as learn the conventions of 18th century tonal harmony. While you will learn how to write your own compositions, this is not a course that focuses on writing popular or contemporary music. In order to prepare students to take the AP Theory exam, the class will be devoted to writing and analyzing four-part harmony, sight-singing, and musical dictation.
Questions about Marching Band
Q. What is Band Camp, and when is it?
Band Camp consists of one week of 9am-5pm rehearsals the week before the start of the school year. During this time, students learn and review the fundamentals of marching/spinning, learn music for the upcoming school year, and start to prepare their drill for the upcoming field season.
Q. Must my student attend Band Camp in order to participate in Marching Band?
Yes, Band Camp is mandatory for students who wish to have a spot in the field show. Because our marching drill is based off of attendance in band camp, students who do not attend camp, or do not notify Mr. Abada of their absence, may be assigned as an alternate marcher and may not have a permanent spot in the show.
Q. What exactly does the Marching Band do?
Vanguard performs at all home football games, providing music from the stands throughout the game and entertaining the crowd with a halftime show on the field. Vanguard also competes in local SCSBOA field tournaments throughout October and November, performs at all school-spirit events, and performs at local holiday parades, including the Ocean Beach Holiday Parade and Festa Do Espirito Santo.
Q. Marching Band sounds like a lot of work. What are the benefits of participating in Vanguard?
Membership in Vanguard is more than just performance--members form a bond during the school year that comes from working closely together in an activity that they enjoy. Incoming students will be pleased to discover that starting high school will not be as daunting when they've already made 60+ friends before school even starts. Vanguard members get in free of charge to all football games, and learn the thrill of performing before different audiences on a regular basis. The travel is a lot of fun (and educational too!), and lifelong friendships can be made through these shared experiences. Further, colleges and universities tend to look favorably on applicants who participated in four years of Marching Band. For all students, participation in Vanguard opens up an extra spot in their schedules, since they do not have to enroll in a traditional PE class-this could mean an extra elective all four years.
Q. Can my student participate in Fall Sports/Activities and Marching Band?
In some cases, it can be done; however, it is very difficult. In order to receive PE credit for band, students must attend all Vanguard rehearsals. Students who miss one or more rehearsals a week will not be able to satisfy the minimum requirement of 400 minutes of PE every ten days (per Education Code). Mr. Abada is available to talk to your coach about your academic commitment to band (yes, it is academic) if necessary. Additionally, students who frequently miss rehearsal become a safety hazard to themselves and other students if they do not know their drill during rehearsals. Like any academic class, students who miss rehearsal are responsible for making up the work that they missed before the next rehearsal. Students who miss frequently and do not make up the work will be replaced by an alternate marcher, and their grades will suffer. If you participate in a fall sport and would still like to commit to marching band, please discuss your situation with Mr. Abada
Q. My student is interested in joining the colorguard; what should we do?
Your child should sign up for 6th period color guard class and indicate to Mr. Abada or your middle school director of your intention to participate in color guard. There will be an audition date for students interested in participating in color guard in May.
Q. Does my student have to be in the Marching Band to participate in the concert ensembles?
No, but it is highly recommended. The vast majority of students in band also participate in Vanguard. During first semester, much of our focus in class is on the music that is performed by the marching band, and the very small minority of band students who do not participate in Vanguard will also be responsible for learning and performing that music. Many times, the students who elect not to participate in Vanguard during their freshman year end up participating in their following years-and they love it.
Q. Is it possible for my student to participate in Marching Band without being in a class?
It is the policy of the district, school, and program that students participating in Marching Band as a PE class are also enrolled concurrently in an ensemble class. Students with extreme scheduling conflicts must bring these to the attention of Mr. Abada
