HUNTINGTON PARK : School’s New Major Music to Their Ears

Huntington Park High sophomore Pearl Alvarez loves music more than just about anything. So when it was time to apply to high schools, the 16-year-old saxophone player’s first choice was to attend a music magnet school. Huntington Park High School, on the other hand, was “a last resort.”

Alvarez’s tune has changed.

“Now I’m glad I did come to HP,” she said, “because of the music.”

Alvarez and 27 other young musicians are the first to take part in an innovative program that allows them to major in music while attending their local high school.

The music major, the only program of its kind at any of the regular high schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District, was launched in January by music teacher Edward Trimis.

Trimis came to Huntington Park in 1991 and is credited with pulling the music program back from the brink of extinction, increasing student participation from about 30 to 470 singers and musicians.

Trimis designed the music major when he realized that some of his students wanted to pursue music in college. “One of my students said he wanted to be a music teacher, and I thought, What have I taught him? What does he need to know to be a music major?” he said.

To answer those questions for future students, Trimis designed a comprehensive regimen that he believes will prepare students for advanced training and attract more music students to Huntington Park High.

Huntington Park youngsters interested in music often had to travel about an hour from home to attend Hamilton High School in West Los Angeles, the closest of three music magnets in the district.

The Huntington Park music major will be at least as comprehensive as programs offered at magnets, Trimis said, and will require students to complete at least 60 credits of instrumental and vocal instruction, music theory and history, and teacher training. Music majors will also act as ambassadors for the program by spending at least 10 hours tutoring students at the high school or at local middle and elementary schools.

Students who complete the program will be awarded special certificates upon graduation, Trimis said.

“The philosophy is that kids that think highly of themselves and have high self-esteem will do well in life,” Trimis said. “This is really special and something that’s not found elsewhere. Now they think, ‘Wow. We’re special. We’re music majors.’ ”

The philosophy appears to be taking root. Music students brag about how crowds will come to a losing football game just to watch the marching band, and the band members look forward to their first tour to San Francisco next month.

“I was real serious about applying to a music magnet,” said 15-year-old Christian Puerta, a bass player. “But I think I’ll stick it out here.”

The program could be a model for other schools, said Don Dustin, the district director of performing arts. “If they can pull it off at a year-round school which is in a blue-collar area, a lot of schools can do it,” he said.

Despite the excitement, school officials warn that music students will most likely need to take some of their music courses while they are off track, to ensure a balanced curriculum.

“They can take all these music classes, but if they can’t take the other electives like math and language and science that some colleges look at, that becomes a problem,” said Pete Glos, head counselor.

Though the program looks impressive on paper, Dustin is concerned that it could prove too big for the school to handle. Trimis could face staffing and funding problems and other obstacles.

Still, Dustin has faith in Trimis, who has been called the “pied piper” of Huntington Park music.

“I have a feeling (Trimis) is going to pull it off because he has that kind of drive,” Dustin said. “He doesn’t take no for an answer.”