Give In-School Music Classes to Los Angeles Youth

This past summer, a group of 25 dedicated students spent hours of their vacation time rehearsing and recording the theme song from Star Trek Into Darkness, composed by ETM-LA Advisory Board Member Michael Giacchino. Their hard work certainly paid off, since a few weeks after recording they were asked to perform the theme song once more… but this time, at a much larger venue – the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles!

The students were thrilled to participate in a special halftime show for the Los Angeles Sparks' first-round WNBA playoff game vs. the Minnesota Lynx. It was a special, memorable event for the students and their parents alike, and a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about Education Through Music-LA and its mission to provide equal access to high-quality music education as part of the school day to students in disadvantaged communities across LA County.

Besides learning new music, the students also did some research into Star Trek and its characters. 5^th Grader Eloise remarked, “My favorite character is Uhura because she’s a very powerful and smart woman. I’ve been with ETM-LA since kindergarten and I think the cello is a really cool instrument.” Luca (6^th Grade) has been playing percussion for two years, and shared his love for performing and Star Trek. “It’s really fun to perform and I just love playing overall. I love how Star Trek is involved in space because I want to go to space someday. I love how they’re determined to accomplish a mission to go where no man has gone before. My favorite character is Captain Picard because he’s a good captain and he’s a really loveable character.” Samuel (6^th Grade), “I like seeing how we can be like in the future, exploring new planets. My favorite character is Mr. Spock because he always keeps a level head and always uses reason to solve his problems. I like playing the violin because it mostly has the main parts and it’s more challenging.”

Fifteen-year-old José, an ETM-LA alumnus who played trumpet in the ensemble added, “I found another person in me. Ever since I started music I became a different man. It was like a light switch… my life has changed, everything has been good for me, and I just feel ever so lucky.”

Our students must have been a good luck charm, since the Sparks won the game 75-68! Check out our Photo Gallery and YouTube channel for video of the full performance.

Thank you for your continued partnership to create lasting change and impact for our students, so they may have equal opportunities for a successful future!

“Music makes me feel like I can show my expressions to other people and they know what I feel…” -Clara

Education Through Music-Los Angeles is thrilled to keep musical learning a part of a child's summer fun through the expansion of our Summer Music Programs at three locations across Los Angeles in Chinatown, Compton, and North Hollywood. The programs provide students with the chance to further explore a musical instrument and improve their skills as they continue their music education. In addition to receiving scholarships for ETM-LA's summer program, four ETM-LA students were also chosen to attend Choir Camp at the prestigious Colburn School!

ETM-LA student, Audrey, has been playing the cello for two years and enjoys the Summer Music Program. "This is my first time being in the summer program, and I really like it here. I love music and learning because it helps me express my feelings." Students are meeting new friends from across Los Angeles as they dive deeper into their learning of music theory, singing, composition, instrumental technique, ensemble playing, and songwriting.

Clara, a student at Norwood Elementary, shared with us her excitement about playing viola in Education Through Music-Los Angeles’s Music Unites the World Festival this March. “Being involved in this festival makes me overjoyed because people can express themselves through music. I feel great about that.”

Her father has observed the noticeable difference in Clara’s personality and demeanor. He explains, “Both at school and at home, we have noticed that Clara is more focused and more responsible, and she also has a more positive attitude. She goes around the house humming and singing, and is very happy.” He attributes Clara’s positive changes to music and states, “It is a must for not only children, but for everyone to get into rhythm with music.”

Clara is one of over 13,000 students across low-income Los Angeles County communities who receive quality music instruction as part of the school day.Join us as we expand to serve five additional disadvantaged schools and partner with more underserved LA County school districts this upcoming 2018-19 academic year. Your support will allow us to continue our mission to ensure that every child receives a well-rounded education that includes music.