Recap of the Past Year: 2022-2023 Period
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music marked a momentous year in its post-pandemic return, with a flurry of activities that showcased the institution's commitment to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and engaging with the community.
The year began on a high note, with renowned musicians such as Shujaat Khan, Angel Blue, and the Brubecks gracing the stage for a series of captivating concerts. These performances, a testament to the school's dedication to presenting world-class music, set the tone for the year ahead.
In the realm of academic achievements, doctoral student Lily Shababi was awarded the prestigious Ingolf Dahl award, while composer and musicologist Jenny Olivia Johnson announced her upcoming full-time faculty position, starting Fall 2024. Johnson's hybrid scholarly-artistic work has been a leading force in trauma studies, promising an exciting addition to the school's faculty.
The introduction of the Music and Justice series was another significant milestone. This series, featuring new world premieres by Dr. Diane White-Clayton and Arturo O'Farrill, aimed to explore the intersection of music and social justice, a theme that resonated deeply with the school's mission.
George Lewis, MacArthur Fellow and musical director of the International Contemporary Ensemble, outlined a program for decolonizing classical music, further emphasizing the school's commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
The school also hosted multiple world premieres of new music and creative reinterpretations of classic music, providing a platform for budding composers to showcase their work. Notable events included Nadine Hubbs' exploration of country music's Mexican roots and its many Mexican American fans, and Joy H. Calico's groundbreaking work on twentieth-century European music.
Community engagement was another focus area, with events such as Lea de la Orienté's performance at the Asian American and Pacific Island Performance and Pedagogy Symposium, and Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen's research about student success in music education.
The school's faculty additions were not limited to academia. Thomas Hodgson, a musicologist with research and experience about music streaming and ideas about algorithmic justice, joined the School of Music from Oxford, bringing a fresh perspective to the institution.
Student accomplishments were another highlight of the year. Aspiring musicians such as Breana McCullough, Damon Zavala, Emma Breen, and Ashley Dao earned prestigious fellowships and scholarships, while undergraduates swept the Pasadena Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota Scholarship Competition.
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music inaugurated three new series: the Statement Series, the Signature Series, and Amplify, further expanding its reach and impact. The year concluded with Doctoral student Blair Black being named a Dance/USA 2023 Archiving and Preservation Fellow, underscoring the school's dedication to preserving and promoting its rich cultural heritage.
In the words of Eileen Strempel, the school's dean, "Really, we are just getting started." The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's post-pandemic journey has only just begun, promising a future filled with music, innovation, and collaboration.
- Recognizing the importance of lifelong learning, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music announced the launch of Amplify, an online-education series designed to create opportunities for students and the wider community to engage in education and self-development through music.
- In an initiative to promote entertainment and foster creativity, the school introduced the Music and Entertainment series, featuring a diverse lineup of musicians, composers, and music scholars discussing the intersection of music and entertainment, as well as the role of music in contemporary society.
- Acknowledging the transformative power of music, the school planned to establish a Lifelong Learning in Music program, geared towards providing resources, workshops, and seminars for people of all ages to continue learning and growing through the art of music.
