About
Us
Milano Music
Center began in the year 1946, when Henri (Hank) and Elma (Allen)
Milano moved to Mesa, Arizona after World War II. Before the war,
they owned and operated the largest chain of accordion studios
in Southern California.
Henri and
Elma met in 1935 at Howell-Aretta Conservatory of Music in downtown
Los Angeles. Henri was a professional accordionist from Salt Lake
City who was placed on the teaching staff where Elma worked as
a receptionist. She was also a popular professional accordionist.
They had a
lot in common so love soon bloomed. After a three-year courtship,
they were married at her folks' home in Eagle Rock, California,
31 December, 1938. |
|  In
1940, Elma and Henri opened their own accordion studio in a large,
old (but newly painted) house in a residential district. Business
began dropping off at this location and it wasn't until they moved
onto busy Crenshaw Boulevard that business began to boom. This
taught them the importance of being in the right location.
With their neon sign mounted high on a pole in front, and with
the help of a small, yellow page ad, Milano Accordion Studio became
the largest accordion studio in Southern California.
In 1942, after
World War II had been raging for a year, Henri was inducted into
the army and shipped to Camp Wolters, Texas. This left Elma alone
with their music business. She taught 100 students herself, had
a waiting list, and hired an assistant. When Henri came home for
his first furlough, they realized how much they missed each other,
closed their studio, and moved to the Lone Star State.
Three and
one-half years later, after the war, they decided to move to Arizona
and open a music store. Henri and Elma loved the quiet simple
life and basked in the beautiful sunrises and sunsets of the desert.
Even though Mesa did not have the population to maintain a store,
Elma had a host of supportive relatives. Henri felt his teaching
would get them by until the store was established, and he was
not disappointed. In 1946, they opened Milano Music Center at
58 S. Macdonald. By 1952, they had outgrown this little store,
to they moved into a larger location at 45 W. Main. |
| Those were
hard days for Elma as she arose at 3:30 and went into the dark
downtown to do her desk work and prepare for the day. At 5:00,
she drove home to awaken the children so they could practice their
music. A lot of tears were shed; many prayers were said, but Elma
eventually became a fine businesswoman. As the children grew,
they too were trained to help. Eventually, instead of striving
to build the business, it became a challenge to care for the many
customers who enjoyed coming into a family-operated, friendly
music store.
 In
1974, Elma expanded Milano Music Center by purchasing a building
at 38 W. Main which had formerly housed a JC Penney store. By
1976, all of her children were raised, so Elma decided to focus
on serving her beloved city. She belonged to many civic organizations,
and was elected to a four-year term on the Mesa City Council She
sold Milano Music Center to Frank, who with his son, Mike, and
a highly experienced staff, catered to the needs of both amateur
and professional musicians. They also expanded the school music
service state-wide. Elma maintained the printed music, lessons,
and pianos, renaming her segment of the store, "Elma Milano
Music."
Four of Elma's
five daughters married men who labored in non-musical vocations.
One daughter, Mila, married John Linton, who was an asset to the
family business. John and Mila had eight children who played a
variety of musical instruments. They all worked in the family
music business either for their "Grandma Elma" selling
sheet music or their "Uncle Frank" repairing and selling
music instruments and accessories.
In 1993, at
73 years of age, Elma decided to completely retire. She sold Elma
Milano Music to Mila and John. They saw it as an opportunity to
continue the family tradition. The name was changed to Linton
-MILANO Music, and another generation was enveloped in the music
business. John, Mila, and their children were soon working side
by side. With Elma as their mentor, the lesson department grew
to over 1.000 happy, successful students. In 1997, John and Mila
relocated their piano department to 45 W. Main, where there was
a larger display area, and ten teaching studios.
Today, John
and Mila's children are grown and little grandchildren can often
be seen helping their "Papa" clean pianos and decorate
the store. Five of their adult children are currently working
in the family business: Sarah Sherwood and ElmaLee Kerk, who work
in sheet music and lessons; Jim, who manages the piano department;
Ed and Charles, who work for their "Uncle Frank," repairing
instruments. One child, Tom Linton, is a member of the internationally
popular Jimmy Eat World, which has received
several gold and platinum albums.
Many people
have gone into the music profession after being associated with
Milano's. Some have gone into performing, others into teaching,
and a few into retailing. What began as a husband-wife venture
with owners working eighteen-hour days now enjoys a large staff
of employees. Customers have multiplied boundlessly from the first
few relatives and friends. After starting with little more than
a love of music, they now enjoy serving many thousands of happy
customers. It is humbling to realize they have endured for so
many years. True, they invested money from other sources; true,
they worked many long hours; true, they love music and people,
but it is also true that:
"
Milanos Means Music"
The John & Mila
Linton Family, 2004
Top
Row: Jim, John E., Edward, John G.
Row Two: Andy, Sarah, ElmaLee, J.T. (grandson)
Sitting: Charles, Mila, Tom
|
These
were years when Elma was busy at home bearing and teaching little
"Milano Accordionists." Henri, Elma, and the 6 children
became the world's largest family of virtuoso accordionists as
they thrilled at being able to make music together. Their
idyllic life was shattered when Elma and Hank were divorced in
1961. Elma was left with the business in lieu of child support
and alimony along with six children, whose ages ranged from three
to fourteen.