University
Trying to Master Two Tough Jobs
- Brian Edwards balances his time between MAT@USC and the USC Trojan Marching Band.
- Photo/Dan Avila
By Kathy Hernandez on October 27, 2011 10:22 AM
Brian Edwards was eager to join the USC Trojan Marching Band after he enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching at USC (MAT@USC).
Edwards, 31, was nervous when he attended his first practice. He is much older than most of the band members, and he had never played in a marching band before. A love of jazz prompted him to start playing trumpet during his senior year at California State University, Northridge.
Fortunately, the jitters faded.
“It’s like a large family,” he said. “I love that. They’re there for you, for anything you need.”
Edwards balances nearly 10 hours of practice each week with a full class load as part of MAT@USC. He often attends class by logging in after the band’s evening practice. In addition to his course work and band participation, he also teaches history and coaches basketball at Le Lycée Francais de Los Angeles. He is fluent in French and has taken classes at the Sorbonne in Paris.
It is a busy schedule, Edwards said, but he enjoys it. He has found MAT@USC to be rigorous and demanding, but he’s gaining new teaching skills and insights. He plans to graduate in December.
Edwards said his experience differs from younger members of the band. “The undergrads can stay out late and sleep in,” he said. “They have a sense of respect for me since I’m older and have a full-time job. Some ask me questions about life and school.”
His family attends USC football games to watch him play.
“I come from a family of Trojans,” he said. “I’ve been coming to USC games since I was 2. It’s always been something I wanted to do.”
Edwards’ favorite part of each game is when the band marches out of the tunnel at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
“It’s a huge rush,” he said. “When you’re representing such a great school, it’s an awesome feeling.”
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