Music is said to be one of the best forms of self expression and freedom. It allows people to collaborate with one another and spread a message. With a wide variety of genres music is almost practiced and listened to by everyone.
At Huntington Park High School, the Visual and Performing Arts department has taken a step forward into expansion by adding the Modern Band club. Modern band focuses on broadening students’ knowledge of music, and allows them to practice their choice of instrument and genre.
Modern band was introduced to HP by Mr. Gabriel Herrera, a music teacher and club advisor. The club was inspired by Mr. Herrera’s prior experiences at Cal State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) where he participated in commercial music ensembles. These ensembles incorporated modern instruments such as guitar and were commercialized for financial gain. The process of creating music prepared students for the music industry giving them the opportunity to expand or sell.
Mr. Herrera wanted to share Modern Band with younger students to give them a head start in understanding how the music industry is operated.
“I wanted to bring that to a highschool setting, so students can have an idea of what’s expected when they get out of high school and they go perform at different venues so they can understand the type of musicianship, technique and the type of etiquette that people look forward to,” said Mr. Herrera.
Modern band has now been an operating club as of last year and meets from 3:30 to 5:30 pm in room 25 every Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesdays are for beginners who are looking to learn an instrument and Thursdays are for advanced players and bands who tend to work independently. One band that has been active in this club is Sonar Waves, an Indie-Rock band whose members have found it fun and a good opportunity to become better acquainted with one another.
Modern Band wants to spread the message that “music is life” it can be therapeutic and bring people together.
“I want to be able to incorporate all kinds of styles of music and display that to the community and show how music is everywhere all we have to do is find the style that we like to be able to relate and get inspired from it,” said Mr. Herrera.
Emphasizing how diverse Modern band hopes to become by incorporating Hip Hop, Corridos, Cumbias, and Rap so students can understand how each is uniquely put together and what may resonate with them.
Written by Jamie Amezcua, Staff writer