People in most fields of employment infrequently get the recognition they deserve, but when it comes to musicians — and music teachers in particular — this is especially true. This week, the Point Loma Association (PLA) is taking steps to correct this with a new banner program highlighting local performers and educators. Following nominations from the public, a series of 48 banners — featuring the images of 32 musicians and music educators from the Peninsula area — will go up along Rosecrans Boulevard in the Point Loma Village. Sponsored by the PLA, the banners tie in to the annual San Diego County Fair that opens June 12. This year’s fair features a theme of “Music Mania.” The idea to honor musicians was generated by the county fair board, but it was the PLA which decided to include music educators. “We were so pleased that there were so many nominations in that arena,” said Pat Baker, former chair of the PLA’s Summer Concert Series and part of the nominating committee. “There are lots of wonderful people who teach in our schools and it’s great to be able to give them some recognition.” Among the musicians being recognized are jazz bassist Bob Magnusson, boogie-woogie pianist Sue Palmer, Go Man Go leader Glen Fisher and The Grams’ frontman Chuck Schiele, as well as educators like Melissa Simmons, who is director of music at Point Loma High School, Alicia McMillan, music teacher at Loma Portal Elementary and Dell Schroeder, founder of the Band at the Beach music camp. The banners will be up through mid-July. Because of the amount of banners needed for the area, a few people will have multiple postings. Honorees will be allowed to keep their banners. At six feet in height, a large indoor space will be required for proper display afterward. Schiele is considering gifting his to his mother, while Schroeder hopes to collectively use a few at her beach camp in early August. “Several of the ‘banner folks’ will work with me at the event,” Schroeder said. “If I can talk them into sharing their banners, and I can hang them at the school, they will add a nice touch to the week.” Meanwhile, Fisher said he might be willing to alter his lifestyle to accommodate the oversize displays. “I’m kinda hoping they’ll fit on my Chevy, at least until I get a castle to display them in,” Fisher joked. Schroeder said the nomination came as a total surprise to her. “I feel privileged to be ‘rubbing elbows’ with the likes of the rest of those nominees,” Schroeder said. “Music is the only language that cuts across all boundaries and that is why I do what I do, and why I teach advocacy for the fine arts.” For Schiele, the accolade is “humbling and flattering. I am beside myself with honor,” Schiele said. “But mainly, I’m very happy that someone noticed the collective talent and hard-working ethic of musicians around here.” Palmer concurs. “It’s an honor to be presented on Rosecrans Boulevard with other Point Loma musicians,” Palmer said. “I grew up in Ocean Beach, in the Sunset Cliffs area, and it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world.” Fisher considers the nod from the PLA and area residents to be inspiring. “When you believe in something, and you work hard at it for a long time, trying to change things and bring awareness to people, you encounter many obstacles and little glory,” Fisher said. “To get this type of recognition and to realize that my community believes in what I’m doing, well, it’s just what the doctor ordered. You know, kinda like a really good golf shot? It just makes you wanna play some more,” he said. For more information about the banner program and nominees, visit www.plaweb.org.
