UCLA archive specializing in ethnomusicology resumes operations post-renovation
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has announced the grand re-opening of its Ethnomusicology Archive, following a significant renovation that has transformed the space into a potential heart of the academic community and a welcoming center for serious research.
The expanded archive, located on campus, will offer a new inviting public space, a high-density shelving area, and a viewing room for group access to collections. The new archival storage space will house much of the collection, doubling its storage area and ensuring maximum capacity.
Archivist/librarian Maureen Russell emphasised that the renovations allow for the acquisition of more one-of-a-kind collections that support the teaching and research needs of the school. Dean Judith Smith added that the improvements will make it easier for students, faculty, and the general public to access and enjoy the collections.
The celebration honours Jacqueline Cogdell DjeDje, an acclaimed ethnomusicologist, author, and Professor Emerita. DjeDje was a faculty member from 1979-2013 and the director of the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive from 2000 to 2007. The event is free and open to the public, and includes an open house to showcase the archive's renovation.
The day-long symposium and evening concert titled "Documenting the Sounds of Africa" will take place on Friday, Jan. 11. The concert includes performances by members of the UCLA West African and Afro-Cuban Ensembles, performing traditional repertoires from Ghana. The Wondem Band will perform an East African-influenced mix of Ethiopian jazz, Sudanese soul, and traditional secular music from Somalia and Eritrea.
The UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive's historical strength lies in its vast and diverse collections of unique and unpublished field recordings and associated materials. Its holdings include rare commercial recordings, recordings of the department's famed concerts and lectures by legendary scholars and performers, and collaborations with other ethnomusicology collections and databases.
The celebration is presented by the World Music Center at UCLA and the Department of Ethnomusicology, aiming to build a sense of community for ethnomusicology students and faculty at UCLA by providing a common space. The concert takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Jan Popper Theater in Schoenberg Hall.
The renovations and expansion of the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive reflect UCLA's commitment to maintaining its critical role as a leading resource in ethnomusicological research. The improvements aim to modernize its infrastructure for preservation, access, and scholarly collaboration, ensuring the archive's continued significance in the academic community.
- The renovated UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive, reflecting UCLA's commitment to education-and-self-development, offers an opportunity for the academic community and the general public to engage with unique and diverse music collections.
- As part of the grand re-opening celebration, attendees can look forward to the evening concert titled "Documenting the Sounds of Africa", a fusion of entertainment and music, showcasing traditional repertoires from different African regions.
