Join us, Saturday, 24 October 2026, 3:45-4:45pm in the Ostin Ensemble Room, 110A Evelyn & Mo Ostin Music Center, UCLA.
A WORKSHOP with LA’s 33 Strings (三十三絃の会), a distinguished Japanese music ensemble based in Southern California, dedicated to the preservation and evolution of Japan’s musical heritage. Featuring instruments such as the koto, bass koto, and shamisen, the group performs a wide variety of music, ranging from classical pieces and folk songs to contemporary works, including anime and film scores, bringing together members and audiences through a shared appreciation of Japanese music.
LA’s 33 Strings has appeared at a range of notable events, including a collaboration with the globally renowned video game Silent Hill f, the Newport Beach Film Festival, Anime Expo, and the Dream Asia Food Festival in Las Vegas, as well as numerous community events throughout Southern California. The ensemble has also performed at venues such as Bowers Museum, Descanso Gardens, and other Japanese gardens, libraries, art galleries, and cultural festivals.
In addition, LA’s 33 Strings has produced hands-on workshops throughout the LA community with the endorsement of the Consulate General of Japan. These educational programs help deepen appreciation and understanding of Japanese musical traditions while creating opportunities for participants to experience the instruments and music firsthand.
As its presence continues to grow, the ensemble looks ahead to future engagements, including its annual fall concert on November 21st. This special evening will reflect not only the cultural richness and musical refinement of Japanese music, but also the spirit of community at the heart of LA’s 33 Strings.
LA’s 33 Strings is generously supported by grants from the California Arts Council, LA County Arts and Culture, Japan Foundation, and the Eastside Arts Initiative.
https://www.33strings.org/
This workshop is presented in conjunction with the symposium “Music Alive in the Archive: Legacy and Promise--65 Years of the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive,” a two-day event in celebration of the 65th anniversary of the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive.
Sponsored by the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive, the UCLA Department of Ethnomusicology, and the Dean’s Office, UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.