Music Opportunities at PLHS
Our diverse and growing program offers students a number of music opportunities ranging from a large number of ensembles to AP Music Theory. Below you'll find a list of what we offer, and some general information about each item.
Vanguard (Marching Band)
The largest and busiest ensemble of the music program is the Vanguard. Each fall the Vanguard performs regularly at marching band competitions throughout Southern California, home football games, school functions such as pep rallies and ceremonies, community events, private functions and more. Vanguard is open to any student wishing to join and willing to commit to the practice schedule and work hard. Students in Vanguard receive one semester of P.E. credit for each year they participate. Vanguard is a fall semester class and meets after school and on Saturdays from September through November. In addition, Vanguard members meet in the summer before school begins for band camp. Dates and Information for Band Camp will be posted on the website. The Vanguard contains several components including Brass, Woodwinds, Battery (Marching Percussion), Front Ensemble (Stationary Percussion) and Color Guard.
Concert Band
This year long course is open to any student who plays or wishes to play a Wind or Percussion instrument regardless of ability level or experience. Concert Band meets during the school day and students receive Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) credit for the course. The Concert Band performs at 3-5 Concerts, 1-3 Festivals and other various events each year. During the months of September, October and November (before Thanksgiving Break) the Concert Band rehearses the Marching Band Music as well as other literature. Beginning after Thanksgiving Break the Concert Band prepares high quality Concert Band Literature for formal concerts and festivals throughout the remainder of the school year.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is open to all students who play a Wind or Percussion Instrument but admission into the Wind Ensemble is by audition only. The Wind Ensemble meets during the Spring Semester and performs the highest quality literature possible. In addition to the school day rehearsals the group also meets once a week for a 2-3 hour evening rehearsal. The Wind Ensemble performs at 3-5 Concerts, 1-3 Festivals and other various events each year consistently earning Unanimous Superior Ratings at local festivals.
String Orchestra
The newest ensemble at PLHS is the String Orchestra, which has more than tripled in size in recent years. The String Orchestra is open to all students who currently play or wish to play a string orchestra instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass and/or harp). The String Orchestra performs at 3-5 Concerts and 1-3 festivals each year often as a part of the Symphony Orchestra. Orchestra meets during the school day and students receive Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) credit for the course. In the spring, students in the String Orchestra join with select wind and percussion musicians to participate in the Symphony Orchestra.
Drumline
Drum Line/Winter Line is a group that includes marching percussion (battery) and a front ensemble, and performs at 5-8 competitions in the ADLA circuit throughout Southern California. Participation in the Winter Line is by audition, and students in the line are expected to attend all after school rehearsals twice a week, from December to April.
Color Guard
Color Guard is a dance oriented performance group which performs as part of the Vanguard in the fall and independently in the spring. The Color Guard is open to all students wishing to participate, and who are willing to attend the rehearsals and work hard. The Color Guard performs at 5-8 Winterguard Competitions each spring throughout the Southern California Area. Students in color guard receive P.E. Credit.
Jazz Band
This spring semester course meets after school but receives Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) course credit. The Jazz Band is open to all students who play a jazz band instrument; however, auditions may be required depending on the instrumentation. The Jazz Band performs Big Band style arrangements of literature ranging from jazz standards to pop music arrangements and more. Basic Improvisation is covered as well as reading chord changes and interpreting jazz notation such as swinging eighth notes, accents, etc.
Leadership
At the core of the PLHS Instrumental Music Department philosophy is the idea that students must take responsibility for their program. The Band Council is the student leadership organization of the department which oversees numerous aspects of the program including fundraising, social events, recruitment, goal setting, morale and more. Students are selected for student leadership positions at the end of each school year for the following school year. In the summer, these students attend a three day camp where they are given leadership training and begin to develop their goals and plans for the school year. The council then meets once a week throughout the school year in a meeting format following Robert's Rules of Order.
AP Music Theory
This intensive course is the equivalent of a first year Music Theory Course in college. A wide range of material is covered including key signatures, intervals, chords, chord progressions, roman numerals, figured bass, micro-analysis, voice leading, modulation, and form; additionally there are substantial ear training and sight singing components of the course. Admission into the course is by instructor consent and students must be able to read music and have experience on an instrument or with their voice before taking the class. This course is generally taken in the junior or senior year. A passing score on the AP Test usually satisfies college requirements for course credit.
Our diverse and growing program offers students a number of music opportunities ranging from a large number of ensembles to AP Music Theory. Below you'll find a list of what we offer, and some general information about each item.
Vanguard (Marching Band)
The largest and busiest ensemble of the music program is the Vanguard. Each fall the Vanguard performs regularly at marching band competitions throughout Southern California, home football games, school functions such as pep rallies and ceremonies, community events, private functions and more. Vanguard is open to any student wishing to join and willing to commit to the practice schedule and work hard. Students in Vanguard receive one semester of P.E. credit for each year they participate. Vanguard is a fall semester class and meets after school and on Saturdays from September through November. In addition, Vanguard members meet in the summer before school begins for band camp. Dates and Information for Band Camp will be posted on the website. The Vanguard contains several components including Brass, Woodwinds, Battery (Marching Percussion), Front Ensemble (Stationary Percussion) and Color Guard.
Concert Band
This year long course is open to any student who plays or wishes to play a Wind or Percussion instrument regardless of ability level or experience. Concert Band meets during the school day and students receive Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) credit for the course. The Concert Band performs at 3-5 Concerts, 1-3 Festivals and other various events each year. During the months of September, October and November (before Thanksgiving Break) the Concert Band rehearses the Marching Band Music as well as other literature. Beginning after Thanksgiving Break the Concert Band prepares high quality Concert Band Literature for formal concerts and festivals throughout the remainder of the school year.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is open to all students who play a Wind or Percussion Instrument but admission into the Wind Ensemble is by audition only. The Wind Ensemble meets during the Spring Semester and performs the highest quality literature possible. In addition to the school day rehearsals the group also meets once a week for a 2-3 hour evening rehearsal. The Wind Ensemble performs at 3-5 Concerts, 1-3 Festivals and other various events each year consistently earning Unanimous Superior Ratings at local festivals.
String Orchestra
The newest ensemble at PLHS is the String Orchestra, which has more than tripled in size in recent years. The String Orchestra is open to all students who currently play or wish to play a string orchestra instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass and/or harp). The String Orchestra performs at 3-5 Concerts and 1-3 festivals each year often as a part of the Symphony Orchestra. Orchestra meets during the school day and students receive Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) credit for the course. In the spring, students in the String Orchestra join with select wind and percussion musicians to participate in the Symphony Orchestra.
Drumline
Drum Line/Winter Line is a group that includes marching percussion (battery) and a front ensemble, and performs at 5-8 competitions in the ADLA circuit throughout Southern California. Participation in the Winter Line is by audition, and students in the line are expected to attend all after school rehearsals twice a week, from December to April.
Color Guard
Color Guard is a dance oriented performance group which performs as part of the Vanguard in the fall and independently in the spring. The Color Guard is open to all students wishing to participate, and who are willing to attend the rehearsals and work hard. The Color Guard performs at 5-8 Winterguard Competitions each spring throughout the Southern California Area. Students in color guard receive P.E. Credit.
Jazz Band
This spring semester course meets after school but receives Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) course credit. The Jazz Band is open to all students who play a jazz band instrument; however, auditions may be required depending on the instrumentation. The Jazz Band performs Big Band style arrangements of literature ranging from jazz standards to pop music arrangements and more. Basic Improvisation is covered as well as reading chord changes and interpreting jazz notation such as swinging eighth notes, accents, etc.
Leadership
At the core of the PLHS Instrumental Music Department philosophy is the idea that students must take responsibility for their program. The Band Council is the student leadership organization of the department which oversees numerous aspects of the program including fundraising, social events, recruitment, goal setting, morale and more. Students are selected for student leadership positions at the end of each school year for the following school year. In the summer, these students attend a three day camp where they are given leadership training and begin to develop their goals and plans for the school year. The council then meets once a week throughout the school year in a meeting format following Robert's Rules of Order.
AP Music Theory
This intensive course is the equivalent of a first year Music Theory Course in college. A wide range of material is covered including key signatures, intervals, chords, chord progressions, roman numerals, figured bass, micro-analysis, voice leading, modulation, and form; additionally there are substantial ear training and sight singing components of the course. Admission into the course is by instructor consent and students must be able to read music and have experience on an instrument or with their voice before taking the class. This course is generally taken in the junior or senior year. A passing score on the AP Test usually satisfies college requirements for course credit.
