Reviving Music Education: How a Historic Repair Shop is Creating Opportunities
In downtown Los Angeles, a distinctive facility stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for young musicians. Nestled in an industrial area, this publicly funded repair shop is one of the few remaining in the nation. Here, dedicated technicians meticulously restore a variety of instruments, ensuring students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) have access to quality musical tools.
These district-owned instruments and the necessary repairs are provided free of charge, a critical service in a district where approximately 80% of students come from low-income families. “The shop is a jewel for the school district,” remarks Steve Bagmanyan, who began his journey here as a piano technician in 2003 and now oversees the shop.
For educators, the repair shop alleviates the additional stress of finding solutions for broken instruments. As Bagmanyan notes, “For teachers not to think about what to do with a broken instrument… That is all extra stress on a teacher.”
Beyond its practical benefits, the repair shop recently gained recognition after being featured in the Oscar-winning documentary The Last Repair Shop. The feature has led to a flood of thank-you letters from students, which Bagmanyan proudly displays on a wall, calling it “our Oscar.”
A Potential Game-Changer in a Child’s Life
The shop is set to receive a significant boost from famed musician and philanthropist Herb Alpert, who announced a $1 million donation. Alpert, an LAUSD alumnus who first encountered a trumpet at Melrose Elementary School, credits his initial exposure to music as pivotal. “You never know where a genius is,” Alpert states, emphasizing the importance of such facilities in nurturing hidden talents.
Technician Paty Moreno, who has spent over two decades repairing brass instruments, highlights the complexity of the craft. “People think, ‘I can play an instrument, so I can fix it too,'” she says, underscoring the specialized skills required for the job. Moreno’s dedication ensures that students have instruments that perform well, an essential factor for their musical success.
Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen, a music education professor at UCLA, concurs, explaining that access to working instruments can significantly impact a student’s perception of their musical abilities. She notes, “When students have an instrument that’s not working for them, it can be incredibly frustrating.”
“You Never Know Where a Genius Is”
Former technician Craig Anderson reflects on the decline of such repair facilities in public school districts across the country, attributing it to financial constraints and retiring technicians. This trend makes Alpert’s investment all the more vital, as he hopes to inspire other districts to reinstate similar programs.
Alpert’s personal connection to music began in elementary school, where his first encounter with a trumpet changed his life. He shares, “Lucky me, I was 8 years old in my grammar school and there was a music class and there’s a table filled with various instruments… and I happened to pick up the trumpet.”
Maximiliano Segura, an 11th grader at San Fernando High School, echoes Alpert’s sentiments. He began playing the trumpet at age eight and continues to perform with his school’s mariachi band. Segura, who has always used district instruments, only realized through the documentary the extent of the repair shop’s support. “To know that people from my background [have access to] instruments and music itself, it’s amazing,” he says.
Alpert asserts, “Music should not be a privilege, it should be a part of the public education system.” He envisions a future where music education is universally accessible, advocating for public funds to support such transformative initiatives.
