Annual Performance Series at Chancellor's Residence Marks Another Triumph
The Chancellor's Residence Recital Program, established in 2007 by the Associate of the Chancellor, Mrs. Carol Block, has become a cherished tradition at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Over the years, hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students have graced the stage, performing a diverse range of music styles, from classical to jazz, bluegrass, mariachi, Balkan folk, and more.
In 2019, the series ran from March to May, with a total of 19 recitals presented by students from all three departments in the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and the Global Jazz Studies Program. Notable performances included Sophia Inaba and the Kyodo Taiko drummers, who delivered a standout performance on the Taiko drums in April, and Hana Kim, who offered a recital of solo piano repertoire, including Joseph Haydn's Andante with Variations and Johann Sebastian Bach’s Chaconne (Arr. Ferruccio Busoni).
Glynnis McNamara and her jazz ensemble, consisting of 2nd year students, performed five selections by various composers in April. Da Yoon (Grace) Kang offered a recital of piano and cello music, all César Franck-his Sonata for Piano and Violin in A Major (Version for Violoncello) in May. Jacelyn Yeo and Michael Valentekovic presented a program of songs with clarinet and piano, primarily opera arias, also in May. Austin Ho and Kelsey Ma offered a double piano offering in May, with Kelsey playing Bach and Chopin, and Austin playing two Kreisler pieces transcribed by Sergei Rachmaninoff.
Priyanka Venkatesh appeared in the series for a second time, this time in a violin recital with accompaniment by Dr. James Lent, performing Granados Sonata para violin y piano, H. 127, and Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77. The UCLA Guitar Ensemble, directed by Dr. Peter Yates, offered a varied program of works in May, and Veola Sun, Ji Eun Hwang, and Jamie Kang performed the Smetana Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15 in April.
Collin McCrary and Grant Grech played a set of jazz standards and originals in duo fashion (tenor saxophone and guitar) in March, and Sophia Su presented a solo piano concert consisting of a Beethoven piano sonata, a Liszt étude, and a ballad by Saariaho in April. Killian Kelly, Priyanka Venkatesh, and Valerie Stern performed a program of pieces composed by Astor Piazzolla on cello, violin, and piano respectively in March. Joyce Kwak brought an ensemble from the Music Department to perform works by Mozart and Brahms in April.
Cole Davis offered an ambitious program in collaboration with staff pianist Valeriya Morgovskaya in May, including Telemann’s Flute Fantasy, No. 5; Mahler: Songs of a Wayfarer; Guilmant: Morceau Symphonique; Fauré: Après un Rève. Katharina Haberl, Mario Arias, Jared Jones, and Grace Martino, a vocal quartet from the Music Department, performed a program of arias from music theater, art song, and opera in April. Kenneth Glendon Brown and Brandon Zhou played Gabriel Fauré, Soulima Stravinsky, and Kenneth Glendon in a piano duo in May.
Students who wish to perform in the series must complete a detailed application, which includes their proposed program, recital date choices, and official approval from their instructor or area head. All students are carefully vetted before being approved to perform in this series.
Mrs. Carol Block, Erica Eskes, and Carlin McArthur managed the series, with Mrs. Block taking photos at every recital. Special thanks and appreciation were expressed to Mrs. Carol Block for her dedication to the series, as her goal for the program included opening the Chancellor's Residence to more visitors, fostering social interactions between staff and students, and providing a unique performance platform for UCLA music students.
For those seeking in-depth historical details or specific 2019 recital program information, we recommend consulting UCLA's official music department archives, the Chancellor's office event records, or specialized performance programs published by UCLA's cultural events division.
- The Chancellor's Residence Recital Program, managed by Mrs. Carol Block, Erica Eskes, and Carlin McArthur, not only provides a unique performance platform for UCLA music students but also serves as a means of education-and-self-development, fostering social interactions between staff and students.
- In addition to entertainment, the Chancellor's Residence Recital Program, with its diverse range of music styles, encourages learning by allowing students to perform and experiment with music varying from classical to jazz, bluegrass, mariachi, Balkan folk, and more.
