When the teacher offered his fifth grade class the chance to learn how to play a musical instrument, Silverio Rojas, 30, music major, wanted to play the trumpet.

After class was let out and Rojas went to pick up his instrument, he was disappointed to learn that the teacher had run out of trumpets due to its popular demand .

So as not to discourage him, Rojas’ teacher offered him a trombone, Rojas said.

“It’s just like the trumpet,” the teacher said. Reluctantly, Rojas accepted it.

This was Rojas’ introduction to the world of music and since then he has been actively involved in it.

“I have a passion; whenever I listen to music it is like I can literally feel it in my blood,” Rojas, said.

It was not until high school when he had to make a career choice that he decided he would dedicate his life to music, Rojas said.

“I asked myself, ‘What am I good at? what do I enjoy doing?’ The only answer I came up with was music – I did not know what I was going to do with it but I knew it was going to be music,” Rojas said.

After high school, Rojas enrolled in the Army, where he played with a church choir, Rojas said.

As part of the Armed Forces, Rojas has also played in other countries such as El Salvador.

Although he continues to be a reservist for the Army, Rojas has returned home and enrolled at EC while continuing to play with a band he formed with his friends.

“I finally decided what I am going to do with music, Once I transfer, I am going to become a composition major, composing music for movies, video games and television (known as film scoring,)” Rojas said.

“I was watching a movie, listening to the music; that is when I realized that I want to write music. Ever since then, I have been obsessed with it,” Rojas said.”

At EC, Rojas has been part of the jazz band and the brass ensemble, Rojas said.

Currently, Rojas said he is part of the orchestra and is a conductor for the wind ensemble.

Rojas said he plays in concerts at Marsee Auditorium and at other events away from the college, including Disneyland.

Although Rojas said he has been recognized for his talent by playing with the Los Angeles United School District all-city band as a high school student at the Rose Parade, recording with a Christian pop group and a salsa group, Rojas expresses concern in his career choice due to his age.

“Music is an industry where you have to start young,” Rojas said. “It is discouraging sometimes.”

Nevertheless, Rojas continues to play, becoming inspired by well-known musicians such as John Rutter and John Williams, composers for movies such as “Star Wars” and “Jurassic Park.”

“It is a hard industry to get into, but listening to them awakens the passion in me,” Rojas said.

Rojas plans to transfer to either Cal State Northridge or Fullerton next fall, where he will major in music composition, Rojas said.

If he is not successful as a composer, he plans to become a music teacher at the university level, Rojas said.

Regardless of what he decides, Rojas said he will continue to receive the support from his family despite the “racket” he makes when rehearsing, Rojas said.

“They support me in the fact that I want to be a musician — my mother is the most supportive,” Rojas said.

Almost 20 years later, Rojas continues to play the trombone, the instrument that is “just like the trumpet,” and said he hopes to continue to do so for the rest of his life.

“I enjoy it; I can’t imagine myself doing anything else,” Rojas said.