Old-time music is a genre native to North America, however, like many American traditions, it boasts influences from a great diversity of native cultures, including those from Africa, Europe, and the Americas. While much of the music played by the UCLA Gluck Old-time Ensemble stems from the Appalachian string band tradition, old-time music is popular nationwide and therefore musical style can vary greatly by region. The genre is usually played on acoustic instruments, the most traditional being the fiddle and the banjo, but can also include mandolin, upright or wash-tub bass, harmonica, dobro, accordion, jug, and even kazoo. This wide array of unique instruments, textures, and styles results in a distinctive musical timbre and tunes that will surely entertain and excite audiences.

The 2024-25 Old-Time ensemble will be a duo.