Exploring the Programs and Faculty of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, a distinguished institution within the University of California, Los Angeles, is dedicated to providing a comprehensive music education within a liberal arts research university environment. Established in 2007 as a unit of the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, its roots trace back to the creation of an art gallery and music department in 1919. This commitment to the arts solidified further with the establishment of the College of Applied Arts in 1939. Over the years, the school has undergone significant evolution, including departmental separations in 1988 and the disestablishment of the College of Fine Arts in 1991, ultimately leading to the formation of the School of Music.

A Hub for Musical Excellence

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is a vibrant hub of musical activity, hosting over 200 events annually, many of which are free and open to the public. These events showcase the diverse talents of the school's faculty and students, encompassing a wide range of musical genres and styles.

Upcoming Events

The school consistently offers a diverse array of performances, lectures, and workshops. Recent and upcoming events include:

Liederabend-Faculty Artist Series: This series presents two centuries of storytelling through voice and piano. Faculty of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music join forces with students from the global jazz and voice programs for a spirited celebration of song, from the broadway standards of Richard Rodgers to the romantic songs of Franz Schubert. Narrated by Professor Joy H. Calico, Liederabend invites audiences to hear classic works reinterpreted and reimagined.
Finding Home through Songs: Hayrik Mouradian’s 120th Anniversary: A celebration of historian, singer, and folk revivalist Hayrik Mouradian, a key figure in preserving Western Armenian music. The event features performances by the Armenian Music Ensemble, the VEM Ensemble, and the Hasmik Harutyunyan Ensemble, alongside special guests Narine Dellalian and Levon Mouradian. Hosted in collaboration with the UCLA Promise Armenian Institute.
Theorizing Trauma and Disability in the Arts and Music Conference: This four-day conference explores the intersection between the arts, trauma, and disability studies. It consists of lectures, panel discussions, and workshops, aiming to create an open dialogue and build new pathways through which trauma and disability can be understood. The conference opens with an evening concert and immersive art installation walk-through.
David L. Abell Piano Master Series featuring David Fung: This series opens the academic year with internationally acclaimed pianist David Fung. Hailed as "stylish and articulate" by the New York Times and praised as having "undoubted talent" by the Los Angeles Times, Fung brings artistry and brilliance to the concert.

The Faculty Artist Series also brings world-class artists to the stage, providing invaluable learning and performance opportunities for students.

Faculty and Leadership

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music boasts a distinguished faculty of renowned scholars, performers, and educators.

Michael Beckerman: Leading the School Forward

Michael Beckerman, a leading music scholar, is the dean of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. His groundbreaking studies of Central European composers have been widely praised. The Fall Welcome event began with a powerful Janáček fanfare performed by members of the school's brass and percussion studios to welcome Dean Beckerman.

Programs and Departments

The Herb Alpert School of Music offers a wide array of programs designed to cater to diverse musical interests and career aspirations. These include:

Composition
Ethnomusicology
Global Jazz Studies
Music Education
Music Industry
Musicology
Performance

These programs encourage students to break away from conventional norms and experiment with new sounds, genres, and technologies, fostering a stylistically open approach to creativity.

Facilities

The school's facilities provide students with state-of-the-art resources for learning, practice, and performance.

Schoenberg Hall

Named in honor of former UCLA faculty member and composer Arnold Schoenberg, Schoenberg Hall houses the Dean's office, administrative offices, most faculty offices, and two large theaters. The main auditorium, which seats about 520, hosts a variety of performances. Schoenberg Hall also contains the Henry Mancini Media Lab and the World Music Center. The World Music Center functions as a composing studio, recording studio, and classroom, and includes the Ethnomusicology Archive and the World Musical Instrument Collection.

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Evelyn and Mo Ostin Music Center

Completed in 2014, the Evelyn and Mo Ostin Music Center features a high-tech recording studio, spaces for rehearsal and teaching, a café and social space for students, and an Internet-based music production center. The center was funded in part by a generous donation from Music Industry Executive and Philanthropist Morris “Mo” Ostin and his late wife, Evelyn Ostin.

Ensembles

The Herb Alpert School of Music has 35 active ensembles that perform classical, contemporary, jazz, popular and world music.

Special Initiatives

The school is committed to exploring the intersection of music and social justice. In 2023, the Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience organized a series of concerts and dialogues focused on race and social justice in the modern world. The series centered around a historic performance of The Gates of Justice, jazz legend Dave Brubeck's rarely presented large-scale sacred composition. Additionally, the program featured socially conscious works by contemporary composers.

A Vibrant Community

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music fosters a vibrant and supportive community for its students. The Fall Welcome event exemplified this sense of community, with students gathering in departmental sessions and coming together for refreshments, conversation, and connection.

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