UCLA's Ethnomusicology Archive restarts operations post-renovation
UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music Renews Its Ethnomusicology Archive
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is set to re-open its renovated Ethnomusicology Archive on Friday, Jan. 11. This academic jewel, now expanded, has the potential to become the heart of the academic community and a welcoming center for serious research.
The celebration honors acclaimed ethnomusicologist, author, and Professor Emerita Jacqueline Cogdell DjeDje, a former faculty member and director of the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive. The day-long symposium and evening concert titled "Documenting the Sounds of Africa" will take place in the Jan Popper Theater in Schoenberg Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public, and includes an open house to showcase the archive's renovation. The celebration also presents an East African-influenced mix of Ethiopian jazz, Sudanese soul, and traditional secular music from Somalia and Eritrea by the Wondem Band.
The UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive houses over 150,000 audio, video, print, and photographic items, documenting all world musical expressions. The collection includes unique field recordings, rare commercial recordings, and recordings of the department's famed concerts and lectures by legendary scholars and performers.
The renovations and expansion include a new inviting public space, a new high-density shelving area, and a new viewing room for up to 14 people. The new archival storage space will house much of the collection, allowing for maximum capacity by doubling its storage area.
Dean Judith Smith stated that the renovated archive will make it easier for students, faculty, and the public to access and enjoy the collections. The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is known for its interdisciplinary approach and global engagement in music education and research. The school offers a vibrant educational environment that values music performance and scholarship across diverse musical traditions.
The UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive has been led by notable figures such as Anthony Seeger, Distinguished Professor of Ethnomusicology and Director of the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive. Professor Seeger has contributed significantly to discussions on copyright and the dissemination of musical knowledge.
For information on specific events or expansions, it would be best to check directly with the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive or the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music for any recent updates or announcements. The announcement of this event was originally published on the UCLA Newsroom.
Attendees of the celebration at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music can engage in discussions about copyright and the dissemination of musical knowledge, which aligns with the school's interdisciplinary approach to education-and-self-development. In addition, the evening concert featuring the Wondem Band presents an opportunity for entertainment that showcases diverse musical expressions from Africa.
