As The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music marks its 10th anniversary, we celebrate a decade of visionary leadership, artistic excellence, and a bold commitment to music as a force for scholarship, creativity, and community. Built on the deep foundations of UCLA’s historic programs in ethnomusicology, musicology, and performance, the School has grown into a dynamic hub where musical traditions from around the world meet cutting-edge research, innovation, and artistic expression.
This milestone year honors the extraordinary generosity and vision of Herb Alpert, whose support helped establish the School of Music and whose lifelong dedication to artistic creativity and philanthropy continues to inspire our mission. The anniversary celebrations will recognize his legacy while investing in the next generation of musicians, scholars, and industry leaders.
Under the leadership of our new dean, Michael Beckerman, The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music enters its second decade with renewed ambition. Our distinctive constellation of programs reflect the full spectrum of musical life: from the study of ancient traditions to the creation of new sounds, from rigorous scholarship to entrepreneurial innovation.
We hold a unique responsibility. We are a public institution situated in the dynamic metropolis of Los Angeles, and our work is inseparable from the communities we serve. Our students and faculty engage directly with the musical cultures of our great city — collaborating with artists, archives, schools, and cultural organizations across the city while reflecting the diversity that defines Los Angeles itself.


