Student musicians from Pacific Beach Middle School took to the stage on Dec. 6 and 8 to perform a range of classical and contemporary pieces for the school’s winter orchestra and band concerts. PBMS music director John O’Donnell cultivated a repertoire of musical hits, including “Dreidel,” “Burgundian Carol,” “Calypso Bells,” and “Santa Baby,” that not only showcased the breadth of the musicians’ skills and talents but also spoke to the diversity of holiday traditions celebrated in the greater Pacific Beach community.

The PBMS music program engages more than 180 students in six instrumental ensembles every year: Sixth Grade Strings, Sixth Grade Band, Intermediate Strings, Intermediate Band, Orchestra, and Concert Band. The ensembles build on the music introductions taught at Crown Point Junior Music Academy (CPJMA), Pacific Beach Elementary School, Kate Sessions Elementary, and Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary School, and provide all PBMS students with the opportunity to explore and expand their musical skills prior to high school. The K-12 music program culminates at Mission Bay High School with world-renowned jazz, mambo, and classical music groups.

Eighth-grade student and principal violinist Siobhan A. began violin lessons in the Suzuki program at CPJMA and plans to continue her studies through high school at MBHS. When asked why she enjoys playing the violin within the PBMS Advanced Orchestra ensemble, she said: “Music makes people happy. Knowing that when you are making your music you’re making other people happy, it makes you feel good, too.”

Now that the trumpeters have belted their final notes and the harpist has plucked her last string of the night, the students can return to their classes at PBMS to continue developing their appreciation and talents in the musical arts.

What’s next on the hit list for the PBMS musicians? A spring concert to show the community how far they can come in just a few short months. Stay tuned for more.

For information on Pacific Beach Middle School or to find out about the District’s School Choice program, visit sandiegounified.org/schools/pacific-beach-middle. For information about the PBMS Music Association or to make a donation, visit www.pbmsmusic.com.