Performing Arts
At Portland Adventist Academy, music and performing arts are a place for students to explore their gifts, grow in creativity, confidence, and collaboration, and deepen their spiritual life. Students of all levels are welcome to join Concert Band, Alegria, Choir, or the Portland Adventist String Orchestra (PASO). They can also develop their skills in Hand Bell Choir, Drama class, or through PAA Worship Bands, or challenge themselves with Guitar and Music Theory classes.
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Advanced students have the opportunity to take Performance & Production classes, learning editing, mixing, and recording skills in a professional recording studio equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and technology. Every experience encourages students to express their talents, grow in character, and share their gifts with others.
Choir
Choir is a non-auditioned elective for students who want to continue developing their voice and ear-training while exploring a variety of musical styles, including classical, contemporary, Gospel, swing, popular, and sacred music.
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Students have the opportunity to perform about 10 times a year, including Featured Church services, community events, Christmas and Spring concerts, the Grotto, and the required Music Tour. Choir provides a space for students to grow in musical skill, confidence, teamwork, and spiritual expression as they share their gifts with others.
Band
Band is a non-auditioned elective for students who want to continue developing their instrumental skills in an award-winning ensemble. Students explore a wide variety of musical styles, including classical, contemporary, swing, popular, and sacred music.
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Performances include Christmas and Spring concerts, Featured Church services, and the required Music Tour each spring. Band helps students build discipline, collaboration, and confidence, while deepening their appreciation for music and its role in worship and community life.
Drama
This elective course gives students a graduated growth experience on stage, progressing from simple activities and skits to more complex plays. Students begin with imagination-stretching exercises, pantomimes, characterization, improvisation, vocal production, memorized scene work, and basic auditioning techniques.
Drama encourages students to develop confidence, creativity, and collaboration, while discovering how to express themselves thoughtfully and connect meaningfully with an audience.
Performance & Production
Music Performance & Production covers the live and studio aspects of playing guitar or the instrument of your choice. Proficiency is required. Students explore guitar/instrument sounds and styles, repertoire development, stage presentation, studio playing, and multi-track recording.
Throughout the school year, students also perform lunchtime concerts for the school, giving them real-world performance experience. This course helps students develop technical skill, artistic confidence, and attention to detail, while preparing them to approach music with creativity and purpose in both performance and production settings.
Alegria
Alegria is the select choral group at Portland Adventist Academy, focusing primarily on a cappella vocal technique. Students must be enrolled in Choir, complete an audition, and be selected by the director to join.
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Alegria performs approximately 11–15 times per year, including Featured Church services, community events, Christmas and Spring concerts, the Grotto, Alumni Weekend, and the required Music Tour. Being part of Alegria helps students refine their musical skills, embrace discipline, and grow in confidence, while experiencing the joy of contributing to a vibrant, Christ-centered musical community.
String Orchestra (PASO)
PASO is an audition-based string ensemble dedicated to performing music for both sacred and secular events on and off campus. The group provides students with opportunities to develop ensemble technique, improve individual skill, study music theory and history, and strengthen teamwork.
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Being part of PASO encourages students to grow in musical mastery, discipline, and collaboration, while experiencing the joy of contributing to meaningful performances that inspire others.
Bell Canto
Bell Canto is an auditioned handbell and handchime ensemble, performing a wide range of medium to advanced music.
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The group performs frequently at Featured Church services, community events, Christmas and Spring concerts, fundraiser concerts, Alumni Weekend, and the required Music Tour. Participation in Bell Canto helps students develop precision, teamwork, and musical sensitivity, while fostering a deeper appreciation for using their talents to serve others and enhance worship experiences.
PAA Worship Bands
Portland Adventist Academy’s worship bands program gives students the opportunity to use their musical talents to lead peers and the school community in weekly praise and worship. Multiple praise bands include students from every grade level, allowing a wide range of students to participate. Through contemporary and traditional Christian music, students learn to blend skill, creativity, and spiritual leadership, fostering both musical excellence and a heart for ministry.
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The program helps students grow in confidence, collaboration, and spiritual maturity, while learning to guide others in meaningful worship and deepen their own faith journey.