It was a pleasure to see the article (“Students get taste of real-life jam sessions,” Jan. 31 edition, page 5) about the work Glen Fisher is doing with student musicians.
Performing arts teachers in Point Loma applaud his efforts to augment the music education that children are receiving in the public school system. When we can inspire children of this age to learn to play and to perform in public, we turn out more well-rounded and confident citizens. If our efforts occasionally produce someone who becomes a professional in the field, that is a bonus.
I do feel compelled, however, to clarify a misconception. At Dana [Middle School], Correia [Junior High], and Point Loma High, there is no dearth of performing arts. We have 10 performing arts classes at Dana, and there are four extracurricular performing groups. Dana alone has two sections of theater, two sections of chorus, five band or orchestra classes and, as noted in The Beacon on Jan. 3, two guitar classes with nearly 50 students. In all, more than one-third of Dana’s students are in a performing arts class.
Correia Jr. High offers band, orchestra, theater, and chorus.
Point Loma High does, indeed, offer more than “band and that’s it.” Jenny Gardham has been teaching theater and directing two extracurricular productions annually for nearly a decade. There is a chorus teacher and, of course, band and orchestra. The Point Loma High Vanguard Marching Band has nearly tripled in size in the past six years.
Providing a comprehensive education is what public education should be about. We are fortunate that the three secondary-level schools in Point Loma are striving to do just that. We are also fortunate that, for those students who want to excel on their instrument, with their voice or on the stage, there are those like Glen who provide the extra push and the extra help.
W. William Cobb
Chair, Visual and Performing Arts
Dana Middle School