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
ALBUM DROP: Stanzas in August
Available now from New Focus Recordings
Link in bio.
“I have been consistently swept off my feet by this magnificent set.”
-Dominic Hartley, Fanfare Magazine
Movses Pogossian and his colleagues in the Armenian Music Project continue their tireless advocacy for the music of Armenia with this ambitious 4 CD collection, Stanzas in August. At the heart of the release are two sub-collections devoted entirely to the music of Ashot Zohrabyan and Koharik Gazarossian, two consequential composers who shaped Armenian music far beyond their own oeuvres. The other discs include lesser known works by Aram Khachaturian, Tigran Mansurian, and Ghazaros Saryan, as well as premieres of piano miniatures by Artur Avanesov, and premieres by Vahram Sargsyan and Aram Hovhannisyan.
“One big voyage of discovery... a dream of a set, superbly produced and recorded.”
-Colin Clarke, Fanfare Magazine
ALBUM DROP: Stanzas in August
Available now from New Focus Recordings
Link in bio.
“I have been consistently swept off my feet by this magnificent set.”
-Dominic Hartley, Fanfare Magazine
Movses Pogossian and his colleagues in the Armenian Music Project continue their tireless advocacy for the music of Armenia with this ambitious 4 CD collection, Stanzas in August. At the heart of the release are two sub-collections devoted entirely to the music of Ashot Zohrabyan and Koharik Gazarossian, two consequential composers who shaped Armenian music far beyond their own oeuvres. The other discs include lesser known works by Aram Khachaturian, Tigran Mansurian, and Ghazaros Saryan, as well as premieres of piano miniatures by Artur Avanesov, and premieres by Vahram Sargsyan and Aram Hovhannisyan.
“One big voyage of discovery... a dream of a set, superbly produced and recorded.”
-Colin Clarke, Fanfare Magazine
On May 8, beginning at 2 PM, join us at UCLA for an afternoon of interactive exhibits and music created by artists impacted by the Los Angeles Fires of 2025. The gallery will feature a custom Fender Stratocaster crafted for San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity from trees that were damaged around the Eaton Fire alongside listening and viewing stations for works from local artists, including the LA Field Recording Club.
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Our roundtable guests include Chris Douridas (KCRW), Jessica Schwartz (UCLA Musicology), Liz Koslov (UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability), and Kim Yu (Altadena Town Council, Caltech).
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The closing concert will feature works made in response to the 2025 fires from UCLA students and faculty as well as community members, including the Herbie Hancock Institute Band, field recordist Ian Wellman, visual artist Kate Lain, and Caltech student Maya Yie. The evening will culminate with the Los Angeles premiere of Will Rand’s “Firebirth” with violinist Grace Alexander.
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2:00 PM
LANI HALL
Link in bio.
On May 8, beginning at 2 PM, join us at UCLA for an afternoon of interactive exhibits and music created by artists impacted by the Los Angeles Fires of 2025. The gallery will feature a custom Fender Stratocaster crafted for San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity from trees that were damaged around the Eaton Fire alongside listening and viewing stations for works from local artists, including the LA Field Recording Club.
.
Our roundtable guests include Chris Douridas (KCRW), Jessica Schwartz (UCLA Musicology), Liz Koslov (UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability), and Kim Yu (Altadena Town Council, Caltech).
.
The closing concert will feature works made in response to the 2025 fires from UCLA students and faculty as well as community members, including the Herbie Hancock Institute Band, field recordist Ian Wellman, visual artist Kate Lain, and Caltech student Maya Yie. The evening will culminate with the Los Angeles premiere of Will Rand’s “Firebirth” with violinist Grace Alexander.
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2:00 PM
LANI HALL
Link in bio.
CONGRATULATIONS, TRANSFER CLASS OF 2028!
Welcome to your new academic and music home. We are thrilled to have you, and we hope you join us! Remember to submit your statement of intent to register by June 1.
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Curious about our program or have more questions? We will be hosting an online Open House via Zoom on Friday, May 15th, from 1-2:30 pm. Registration via MyUCLA Application portal is required.
CONGRATULATIONS, TRANSFER CLASS OF 2028!
Welcome to your new academic and music home. We are thrilled to have you, and we hope you join us! Remember to submit your statement of intent to register by June 1.
-
Curious about our program or have more questions? We will be hosting an online Open House via Zoom on Friday, May 15th, from 1-2:30 pm. Registration via MyUCLA Application portal is required.
MASTER CLASS WITH MOOSE ELIAKIM:
Moose is a Los Angeles–based recording and touring drummer, as well as a cymbal designer and founder of Iris Cymbals, a boutique brand known for its uniquely crafted cymbal formulas developed through his trained ear and deep understanding of cymbal dynamics.
During his visit to UCLA this semester, he will present on the history and manufacturing of cymbals, demonstrate his design process, and offer guidance on how to select and understand cymbals at a deeper level. The masterclass is open to all students and especially geared toward percussionists.
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Date: Friday, May 1st
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Ostin Ensemble Room
MASTER CLASS WITH MOOSE ELIAKIM:
Moose is a Los Angeles–based recording and touring drummer, as well as a cymbal designer and founder of Iris Cymbals, a boutique brand known for its uniquely crafted cymbal formulas developed through his trained ear and deep understanding of cymbal dynamics.
During his visit to UCLA this semester, he will present on the history and manufacturing of cymbals, demonstrate his design process, and offer guidance on how to select and understand cymbals at a deeper level. The masterclass is open to all students and especially geared toward percussionists.
-
Date: Friday, May 1st
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Ostin Ensemble Room
BACKSTAGE PASS with Thomas Hodgson, professor of musicology at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, who takes us backstage at the Royal Albert Hall in London with @stornowayband (Professor Hodgson on trumpet). Swipe to see a video of his POV on stage!
BACKSTAGE PASS with Thomas Hodgson, professor of musicology at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, who takes us backstage at the Royal Albert Hall in London with @stornowayband (Professor Hodgson on trumpet). Swipe to see a video of his POV on stage!
What does scholarship support look like at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music?
It was great seeing so many new faces at our First Year Open House! We hope you got to connect with our awesome faculty, staff, and students.
More questions? Feel free to reach out to your professors or visit our website, link in bio.
Ready to take the next step? Remember to submit your statement of intent to register by May 1. Go Bruins!
It was great seeing so many new faces at our First Year Open House! We hope you got to connect with our awesome faculty, staff, and students.
More questions? Feel free to reach out to your professors or visit our website, link in bio.
Ready to take the next step? Remember to submit your statement of intent to register by May 1. Go Bruins!
Need a break from practicing? Engage in retail therapy!
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music hoodies now available in-store and online. Grab one at the LuValle Commons store (north campus, close to the law school) or online, link in bio!
Need a break from practicing? Engage in retail therapy!
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music hoodies now available in-store and online. Grab one at the LuValle Commons store (north campus, close to the law school) or online, link in bio!
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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