The MA/PhD in Ethnomusicology investigates music in cultural and social contexts. In preparing students for careers in studying global music communities, our program assists students in understanding music as social practice from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Students are introduced to the intellectual history of the field and its paradigmatic shifts, and research methodology in preparation for ethnographic fieldwork. Our ethnomusicology program seeks to prepare students for careers in the academy, public sector, the music industry, and/or cultural heritage policy-making. We also offer seminars in select global music cultures as well as topics, which examine music as related to gender, politics, religion, economics, philosophy, aesthetics, and musical practice.
Ethnomusicology
Master of Arts / PhD
Global Music
Cultures
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is proud to share that eleven faculty and three alums were nominated (or were recognized in nominations) across six categories in this year`s GRAMMY awards. Special congratulations to alumnus Alexander Lloyd Blake for his nomination, and for the recognition of Boris Allakhverdyan, Jan Berry Baker, Regina Carter, Catherine Gregory, Chris Hanulik, Ben Hong, David Kaplan, Varty Manouelian, James Miller, David Riccobono and Ryan Svendsen in multiple categories.
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For the full list, see link in bio
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#ThisisUCLAmusic #grammyawards
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is proud to share that eleven faculty and three alums were nominated (or were recognized in nominations) across six categories in this year`s GRAMMY awards. Special congratulations to alumnus Alexander Lloyd Blake for his nomination, and for the recognition of Boris Allakhverdyan, Jan Berry Baker, Regina Carter, Catherine Gregory, Chris Hanulik, Ben Hong, David Kaplan, Varty Manouelian, James Miller, David Riccobono and Ryan Svendsen in multiple categories.
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For the full list, see link in bio
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#ThisisUCLAmusic #grammyawards
Student Soundcheck: A Glimpse Behind the Music
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Introducing Viraj Sonawala, a Music Performance-Percussion and Music Education double major: “I’ve always been familiar with the western classical style of percussion that you see in modern day orchestras. In my freshman year at UCLA, I joined the MUSIC OF INDIA ENSEMBLE directed by Abhiman Kaushal. He’s a virtuoso at Tabla [a percussive instrument used in Indian music]. He actually encouraged me to buy my own set one year after I started playing. Also, Indian classical music is in my heritage, it’s in my family. I feel like ever since I joined the Music of India Ensemble 3 years ago, I’ve made so many new friends and connections that will last me a lifetime. Now, as a fourth-year student, I feel passionate about teaching Tabla to new students. ETHNOMUSICOLOGY teaches us how important it is for each of us to really delve into how different cultures celebrate their heritage through music, and not necessarily orchestra music on a Sunday evening, but traditional settings other than the concert hall. [This is how different people show] their spirit, their identity, and how they make music. I am grateful to be in this school learning percussion in many ways.”
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Interested in hearing the MUSIC OF INDIA ENSEMBLE perform? Sign up for our newsletter to keep on top of all our great events.
link in bio.
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Welcome to STUDENT SOUNDCHECK, a new series spotlighting the journeys and inspirations of our talented music students! We will be sharing a quote or story straight from the heart of our community, giving you a front-row seat to the experiences that shape their musical lives.
Student Soundcheck: A Glimpse Behind the Music
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Introducing Viraj Sonawala, a Music Performance-Percussion and Music Education double major: “I’ve always been familiar with the western classical style of percussion that you see in modern day orchestras. In my freshman year at UCLA, I joined the MUSIC OF INDIA ENSEMBLE directed by Abhiman Kaushal. He’s a virtuoso at Tabla [a percussive instrument used in Indian music]. He actually encouraged me to buy my own set one year after I started playing. Also, Indian classical music is in my heritage, it’s in my family. I feel like ever since I joined the Music of India Ensemble 3 years ago, I’ve made so many new friends and connections that will last me a lifetime. Now, as a fourth-year student, I feel passionate about teaching Tabla to new students. ETHNOMUSICOLOGY teaches us how important it is for each of us to really delve into how different cultures celebrate their heritage through music, and not necessarily orchestra music on a Sunday evening, but traditional settings other than the concert hall. [This is how different people show] their spirit, their identity, and how they make music. I am grateful to be in this school learning percussion in many ways.”
-
Interested in hearing the MUSIC OF INDIA ENSEMBLE perform? Sign up for our newsletter to keep on top of all our great events.
link in bio.
-
Welcome to STUDENT SOUNDCHECK, a new series spotlighting the journeys and inspirations of our talented music students! We will be sharing a quote or story straight from the heart of our community, giving you a front-row seat to the experiences that shape their musical lives.
Join us for an evening of new music from our undergraduate composers.
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TUESDAY, NOV. 12, 8:00 PM
ENSEMBLE ROOM, OSTIN MUSIC CENTER
link in bio
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Featuring music by JP Hicks, Naveed Perkins, Mia Ruhman, Celina Anna Kintscher, Ariel Rbibo, Aidan Vass and Sydney Wang.
Join us for an evening of new music from our undergraduate composers.
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TUESDAY, NOV. 12, 8:00 PM
ENSEMBLE ROOM, OSTIN MUSIC CENTER
link in bio
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Featuring music by JP Hicks, Naveed Perkins, Mia Ruhman, Celina Anna Kintscher, Ariel Rbibo, Aidan Vass and Sydney Wang.
Experience an evening with Mostly Kosher: Klezmer-Rock with special guest The Klezmer Music Ensemble. November 20, 7:30PM at Lani Hall on the UCLA Campus. Free Admission, but RSVP highly recommended. Link in bio.
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The Klezmer/Rock band Mostly Kosher performs a musical feast that explodes into a global food-fight of Jazz, Latin, Rock, and Folk. See the band live as they reconstruct Jewish and American cultural music with an original voice that resounds with themes of social justice, human dignity and mutual understanding.
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Made possible by the Lowell Milken Fund for American Jewish Music at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music with additional support from the David Vickter Foundation.
Experience an evening with Mostly Kosher: Klezmer-Rock with special guest The Klezmer Music Ensemble. November 20, 7:30PM at Lani Hall on the UCLA Campus. Free Admission, but RSVP highly recommended. Link in bio.
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The Klezmer/Rock band Mostly Kosher performs a musical feast that explodes into a global food-fight of Jazz, Latin, Rock, and Folk. See the band live as they reconstruct Jewish and American cultural music with an original voice that resounds with themes of social justice, human dignity and mutual understanding.
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Made possible by the Lowell Milken Fund for American Jewish Music at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music with additional support from the David Vickter Foundation.
Quincy Jones was a giant. His music touched hundreds of millions of people and his influence as a mentor and supporter of the arts have been a beacon of inspiration. His reputation as a legendary music producer and innovator was matched only by the warmth and honesty of his kindness and spirit. At The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, we mourn Quincy Jones`s passing and celebrate his living legacy of music as a powerful force for good and truth and beauty in this world. Thank you, Quincy. (Photo credit: Greg Gorman.)
Quincy Jones was a giant. His music touched hundreds of millions of people and his influence as a mentor and supporter of the arts have been a beacon of inspiration. His reputation as a legendary music producer and innovator was matched only by the warmth and honesty of his kindness and spirit. At The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, we mourn Quincy Jones`s passing and celebrate his living legacy of music as a powerful force for good and truth and beauty in this world. Thank you, Quincy. (Photo credit: Greg Gorman.)
"It’s an anniversary party! The UCLA Wind Ensemble celebrates the sesquicentenary of the towering 20th century composer, former UCLA faculty member, and namesake of our music building, Arnold Schoenberg, with a performance of his only original work for concert band, the Theme and Variations, Op. 43a. Join us for the celebration and a program that includes other daring voices from the twentieth and twenty-first century.
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WEDNESDAY, NOV 13, 8:00 PM
SCHOENBERG HALL
link in bio
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#ThisisUCLAmusic #Schoenberg #Schoenberg150"
"It’s an anniversary party! The UCLA Wind Ensemble celebrates the sesquicentenary of the towering 20th century composer, former UCLA faculty member, and namesake of our music building, Arnold Schoenberg, with a performance of his only original work for concert band, the Theme and Variations, Op. 43a. Join us for the celebration and a program that includes other daring voices from the twentieth and twenty-first century.
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WEDNESDAY, NOV 13, 8:00 PM
SCHOENBERG HALL
link in bio
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#ThisisUCLAmusic #Schoenberg #Schoenberg150"
Stig Edgren, lecturer in the Music Industry Program at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, took his class “Producing Special Events and Concerts” on an unforgettable field trip to SoFi Stadium. Students get real experience by exploring major performance venues. This semester, they visited the Kia Forum and the Hollywood Bowl. Stay tuned for their journey!
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#ThisisUCLAmusic #musicindustry #leveledup #LiveEvents #StudentLife #UCLA
Stig Edgren, lecturer in the Music Industry Program at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, took his class “Producing Special Events and Concerts” on an unforgettable field trip to SoFi Stadium. Students get real experience by exploring major performance venues. This semester, they visited the Kia Forum and the Hollywood Bowl. Stay tuned for their journey!
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#ThisisUCLAmusic #musicindustry #leveledup #LiveEvents #StudentLife #UCLA
HALLOWEEN VIDEO RELEASE PARTY! Alum Yoni Fogelman (Music Composition, 2024) and Eleanor Muhawi (Organ Performance, 2024) bring you “Redemption,” a haunting track perfect for the season. With the help of organ performance professor Christoph Bull, “Redemption” is now recorded and available on all major streaming platforms. The video dropped (at midnight!) and you can catch it on Youtube (link in bio).
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#thisisuclamusic #halloween2024 #organmusic #newmusic #UCLA
HALLOWEEN VIDEO RELEASE PARTY! Alum Yoni Fogelman (Music Composition, 2024) and Eleanor Muhawi (Organ Performance, 2024) bring you “Redemption,” a haunting track perfect for the season. With the help of organ performance professor Christoph Bull, “Redemption” is now recorded and available on all major streaming platforms. The video dropped (at midnight!) and you can catch it on Youtube (link in bio).
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#thisisuclamusic #halloween2024 #organmusic #newmusic #UCLA
David Castañeda
“I enjoyed the connections that I made with my colleagues who have now become family, seeing my approach as a researcher develop substantially in such a short amount of time, and most of all the opportunity to grow as an instructor and educator.” – David Castañeda Ph.D. ’21 | Ethnomusicology
A stream of high-profile artists and scholars from around the world have energized and inspired our students, helping to transform their educational experience. Among them are J.H. Kwabena Nketia, considered Africa’s premier musicologist/ethnomusicologist; Akin Euba, a Nigerian composer, musicologist, and pianist; MacArthur Fellow Steven Feld, an American ethnomusicologist, anthropologist, and linguist, who worked for many years with the Kaluli people of Papua New Guinea; Judith Becker, professor emerita of ethnomusicology, University of Michigan; Mark Slobin, the author or editor of books on Afghanistan and Central Asia, eastern European Jewish music, film music, and ethnomusicology theory; Chano Dominguez, award-winning Spanish-born pianist, composer, bandleader, and educator, and Hossein Omoumi, a scholar and teacher of Persian traditional music, among others.
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