The Phoenix
In the summer of 2003, the students of the Point Loma High School Music Program were eagerly awaiting the start of band camp when they found themselves without a director. Having seen eighteen directors come and go over the past sixteen years, the program was incredibly fragile and shrunk to a single band with less than 30 students. Despite this latest blow to morale, the students refused to give up, and without a teacher to instruct them, they showed up to band camp anyway. Over the course of the week, the students taught themselves how to play and march and remained determined to continue their marching band season. The determination and passion of these students caught the attention of parents and community members who began to coalesce around an effort to not only save the music program from extinction, but to ensure that it thrived. While a substitute teacher was enlisted to keep things going, the community reached out to Professor Dan Nelson, who was then the Director of Bands at Point Loma Nazarene University, for help. He recommended one of his most promising students for the job, and over the course of the next several years, he mentored, watched over and worked tirelessly for the music program at PLHS. The then college student he recommended for the job was John Dally, who began teaching classes and running rehearsals along with the administrative help of PLHS Alumnus Shawn Loescher, who was also brought in to stabilize the program.
In the six years under the direction of Mr. Dally, the program grew to include nearly 80 band students, and expanded to include a colorguard, orchestra, jazz band, choir and AP Music Theory Class. The program grew from a small 1A sized program (as classified by the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association) to a large 3A program, and in 2007, the Vanguard qualified for SCSBOA Field Championships where the group finished in 7th place. In local Concert Band Festivals, PLHS began receiving consistent Unanimous Superior Ratings and emerged as one of the elite programs in the San Diego Unified School District, as well as in the county.
In 2008, Mr. Dally accepted a position at Point Loma Nazarene University, the program continued to flourish under the tenure of the new Instrumental Music Director James Sepulvado. Under Mr. Sepulvado's direction, the band continued to grow and was able to work with the world famous composers David Maslanka and Samuel Hazo, the prestigious conductor Larry Curtis, and performed with many professional musicians. In addition, the Orchestra program and AP Music Theory Course both saw 300% increases in enrollment. In 2009, a Symphony Orchestra ensemble was born and in 2012, the program began to offer two Bands in the Spring: Concert Band and Wind Ensemble. In 2012, Vanguard was also invited to perform in the Arcadia Festival of Bands for the first time, an invitation-only parade competition. Since then, the band has placed first in Class C twice--in 2015, and 2016.
In the summer of 2016, Mr. Sepulvado accepted a teaching position at Cuyamaca Community College, and Carissa Mattison has been selected to lead the program. She has already experienced success with the Vanguard, having placed at every marching competition that the band participated in during the 2016 season--including a first place finish in Class C at the prestigious Arcadia Band Review. Ms. Mattison is excited to bring the concert ensembles back to local SCSBOA festivals, and hopes to continue with the tradition of excellence that was set by her two predecessors, Mr. Dally and Mr. Sepulvado.
The Dr. Dan Nelson Music Center
As the number of students in the program began to expand, it became evident that the existing facilities were insufficient. The Band Room, being located at the end of a hallway on the second floor, was small and lacked not only room for students (maximum capacity 81), but was also inadequate for storage. In response, the community again went to work advocating for the program and plans were put in place to renovate an existing building on campus that used to be the woodshop, but was no longer in use. Parents donated their time to clean out the building and clean it up. John Bauer, an active booster, began raising money to fund the project. Initial plans called for approximately $60,000 in renovations to be raised entirely from private donations. As the project developed, additional costs were identified and an effort was made to fund the project through the pending Proposition S bond measure to be voted on in 2008. Thanks to the hard work of the parents and community, as well as help from district personnel, the project was made a part of the Proposition S measure, which was approved by voters. The new funding allowed for a much more thorough renovation including acoustical modifications, extensive remodeling, furniture and equipment for the room as well as new instruments. After a lengthy planning phase, new construction plans were approved in 2009 with the final plans calling for a $1.4 Million total renovation. After several delays, construction broke ground in 2011. At this time, the Instrumental Music Boosters decided to pursue the dedication of the building to Professor Dan Nelson who had played a central role in supporting music at Point Loma. Professor Nelson passed away tragically in 2011 after battling Multiple Sclerosis and Lou Gherig's Disease.
In August 2012, the Dr. Dan Nelson Music Center opened for use by the students of Point Loma High School. It continues to be the center of musical life on campus, and it contains multiple rehearsal facilities, including two large rehearsal rooms, individual practice rooms, and lockable instrument storage.
Rhapsody on the Point
As the program has grown, so has the need for funding. The very active and successful Point Loma High School Instrumental Music Boosters have become increasingly active, and in 2008, they created a gala event known as "Rhapsody on the Point". The 1st Annual "Rhapsody on the Point" featured Pianist Bryan Verhoye performing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the Band, and honored Point Loma Philanthropist Alice Crill. Every year, Rhapsody on the Point honors an individual who has contributed to music education in Point Loma, as well as features the talents of a guest artist performing with the students. Rhapsody on the Point functions simultaneously as the largest fundraiser and most important concert of the year for the program, raising as much as $20,000.
In the summer of 2003, the students of the Point Loma High School Music Program were eagerly awaiting the start of band camp when they found themselves without a director. Having seen eighteen directors come and go over the past sixteen years, the program was incredibly fragile and shrunk to a single band with less than 30 students. Despite this latest blow to morale, the students refused to give up, and without a teacher to instruct them, they showed up to band camp anyway. Over the course of the week, the students taught themselves how to play and march and remained determined to continue their marching band season. The determination and passion of these students caught the attention of parents and community members who began to coalesce around an effort to not only save the music program from extinction, but to ensure that it thrived. While a substitute teacher was enlisted to keep things going, the community reached out to Professor Dan Nelson, who was then the Director of Bands at Point Loma Nazarene University, for help. He recommended one of his most promising students for the job, and over the course of the next several years, he mentored, watched over and worked tirelessly for the music program at PLHS. The then college student he recommended for the job was John Dally, who began teaching classes and running rehearsals along with the administrative help of PLHS Alumnus Shawn Loescher, who was also brought in to stabilize the program.
In the six years under the direction of Mr. Dally, the program grew to include nearly 80 band students, and expanded to include a colorguard, orchestra, jazz band, choir and AP Music Theory Class. The program grew from a small 1A sized program (as classified by the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association) to a large 3A program, and in 2007, the Vanguard qualified for SCSBOA Field Championships where the group finished in 7th place. In local Concert Band Festivals, PLHS began receiving consistent Unanimous Superior Ratings and emerged as one of the elite programs in the San Diego Unified School District, as well as in the county.
In 2008, Mr. Dally accepted a position at Point Loma Nazarene University, the program continued to flourish under the tenure of the new Instrumental Music Director James Sepulvado. Under Mr. Sepulvado's direction, the band continued to grow and was able to work with the world famous composers David Maslanka and Samuel Hazo, the prestigious conductor Larry Curtis, and performed with many professional musicians. In addition, the Orchestra program and AP Music Theory Course both saw 300% increases in enrollment. In 2009, a Symphony Orchestra ensemble was born and in 2012, the program began to offer two Bands in the Spring: Concert Band and Wind Ensemble. In 2012, Vanguard was also invited to perform in the Arcadia Festival of Bands for the first time, an invitation-only parade competition. Since then, the band has placed first in Class C twice--in 2015, and 2016.
In the summer of 2016, Mr. Sepulvado accepted a teaching position at Cuyamaca Community College, and Carissa Mattison has been selected to lead the program. She has already experienced success with the Vanguard, having placed at every marching competition that the band participated in during the 2016 season--including a first place finish in Class C at the prestigious Arcadia Band Review. Ms. Mattison is excited to bring the concert ensembles back to local SCSBOA festivals, and hopes to continue with the tradition of excellence that was set by her two predecessors, Mr. Dally and Mr. Sepulvado.
The Dr. Dan Nelson Music Center
As the number of students in the program began to expand, it became evident that the existing facilities were insufficient. The Band Room, being located at the end of a hallway on the second floor, was small and lacked not only room for students (maximum capacity 81), but was also inadequate for storage. In response, the community again went to work advocating for the program and plans were put in place to renovate an existing building on campus that used to be the woodshop, but was no longer in use. Parents donated their time to clean out the building and clean it up. John Bauer, an active booster, began raising money to fund the project. Initial plans called for approximately $60,000 in renovations to be raised entirely from private donations. As the project developed, additional costs were identified and an effort was made to fund the project through the pending Proposition S bond measure to be voted on in 2008. Thanks to the hard work of the parents and community, as well as help from district personnel, the project was made a part of the Proposition S measure, which was approved by voters. The new funding allowed for a much more thorough renovation including acoustical modifications, extensive remodeling, furniture and equipment for the room as well as new instruments. After a lengthy planning phase, new construction plans were approved in 2009 with the final plans calling for a $1.4 Million total renovation. After several delays, construction broke ground in 2011. At this time, the Instrumental Music Boosters decided to pursue the dedication of the building to Professor Dan Nelson who had played a central role in supporting music at Point Loma. Professor Nelson passed away tragically in 2011 after battling Multiple Sclerosis and Lou Gherig's Disease.
In August 2012, the Dr. Dan Nelson Music Center opened for use by the students of Point Loma High School. It continues to be the center of musical life on campus, and it contains multiple rehearsal facilities, including two large rehearsal rooms, individual practice rooms, and lockable instrument storage.
Rhapsody on the Point
As the program has grown, so has the need for funding. The very active and successful Point Loma High School Instrumental Music Boosters have become increasingly active, and in 2008, they created a gala event known as "Rhapsody on the Point". The 1st Annual "Rhapsody on the Point" featured Pianist Bryan Verhoye performing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the Band, and honored Point Loma Philanthropist Alice Crill. Every year, Rhapsody on the Point honors an individual who has contributed to music education in Point Loma, as well as features the talents of a guest artist performing with the students. Rhapsody on the Point functions simultaneously as the largest fundraiser and most important concert of the year for the program, raising as much as $20,000.
