Friday, March 23, 2012

UCLA offer free concerts, talks and more in May and June

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, Department of Ethnomusicology offers a series of public events throughout the spring quarter. Programs include performances in various genres as well as academic lectures. Updated information and confirmation of events can be found at www.schoolofmusic.ucla.edu or by calling 310-825-8381.

For events at UCLA's Schoenberg Music Building, all-day parking ($11) and short-term parking (payable at pay stations) are available in Lot 2 (enter the campus at Hilgard and Westholme avenues).

FREE CONCERTS

Spring Festival of World Music and Jazz
The concert series, which runs from May 18 to 20 and from June 1 to 5, will feature performances by UCLA's wide array of world music ensembles, plus UCLA jazz combos, the UCLA Jazz Orchestra, the UCLA LatinJazz Big Band and the UCLA Jazz Fusion Ensemble. All performances will take place in Schoenberg Hall and are free and open to the public.

Friday, May 18
7 p.m.

Near East Ensemble
A. J. Racy, director

Music of China Ensemble
Chi Li, director

The Near East Ensemble presents music and instruments from the Arab world. Its repertoire includes old court music genres from the Ottoman era, mystical works related to the Sufi Islamic sect, modal and drum improvisations, nightclub pieces, and songs from rural folk celebrations.

The Music of China Ensemble performs arias from Kun opera of the 16th century, "silk-and-bamboo" music (played on string and wind instruments) from the Shanghai area, folk dances for festive celebration, zheng zither music in the Keijia style from Canton Province, music for large percussion ensemble, and modern compositions for traditional Chinese wind and string ensembles.

Saturday, May 19
7 p.m.

Music of the Balkans Ensemble
Ivan and Tzvetanka Varimezova, co-directors

Charles Mingus Ensemble
James Newton, director

The Music of the Balkans Ensemble focuses on Bulgarian traditional songs and music. The ensemble also includes a women's choir that performs a capella arrangements of folk songs in two- and three-part harmony.

The goal of the Charles Mingus Ensemble is to provide a workshop environment where students from the jazz, world and classical disciplines can learn to successfully integrate compositional and improvisational musical traditions. Mingus' indelible footprint as a bandleader/composer/bassist was further enhanced when he developed a platform to advance many of his ideas through his ensemble, the Jazz Workshop. The ensemble utilizes many of Mingus' musical approaches to develop interpretations of his compositions and those of other great jazz composers, along with compositions outside of the jazz canon. The ensemble employs improvisational styles within and outside of common jazz performance practice. Student compositions and arrangements may also be featured in the concert.

Sunday, May 20
7 p.m.

African American Ensemble
James Roberson, director

Music of México Ensemble
Jesús Guzmán, director

The African American Music Ensemble performs a diverse mix of gospel music, including Negro spirituals and traditional and contemporary gospel. Beginning in the 1600s with enslaved Africans, African American choral music has evolved into a refined urban form accompanied by piano, drum, bass and tambourine.

The Music of México Ensemble, under the direction of 2009 Grammy winner Jesús Guzmán, features mariachi music in a variety of styles from various regions of Mexico, including son jalisiense, son huasteco, bolero, ranchera and huapango.

Friday, June 1
7 p.m.

Music of India Ensemble
Rahul Neuman and Abhiman Kaushal, co-directors

Music of Bali Ensemble
I Nyoman Wenten, director

The Music of India Ensemble performs short compositions of North Indian classical and semi-classical ragas (harmonic modes) and talas (rhythmic patterns on tabla or drums). The ensemble is made up of the students of Rahul Neuman on sitar (a long-necked lute with seven principal strings, plus 12 to 20 sympathetic strings) and the students of Abhiman Kaushal on tabla.

The Music of Bali Ensemble features gamelan music (the generic Indonesian word for orchestra) and dance. The Balinese gamelan gong kebyar is famous for its fast tempos, abrupt changes of texture and brilliantly costumed dancers who act out stories from the Hindu Ramayana.

Saturday, June 2
7 p.m.
Music of Korea Ensemble
DongSuk Kim, director

The Music of Korea Ensemble presents a variety of styles of court and folk music and dance traditions.

Sunday, June 3
7 p.m.

Bluegrass and Old-Time String Ensemble
Timothy Taylor, director; Scott Linford, assistant director

Music and Dance of West Africa Ensemble
Kobla Ladzekpo, director

The Bluegrass and Old-Time String Ensemble performs traditional music of America, with a focus on instrumental music of the American South.

The Music and Dance of West Africa Ensemble performs the music and dances of the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo, the Fon people of Benin, and the Ashanti people of Ghana. The ensemble produces complex polyphonic textures on a variety of drums, bells and rattles to accompany dramatic and entertaining social dances.

Monday, June 4
7 p.m.
UCLA Jazz Combos
Schoenberg Hall, Schoenberg Music Building

This show features UCLA jazz combos directed by George Bohanon, Kenny Burrell, Clayton Cameron, Charley Harrison, Charles Owens and Michele Weir.

Tuesday, June 5
7 p.m.
UCLA Big Bands
Schoenberg Hall, Schoenberg Music Building

This concert will feature the UCLA Jazz Orchestra, directed by Charley Harrison; the UCLA LatinJazz Big Band, directed by Dr. Bobby Rodriguez; and the Jazz Fusion Ensemble, directed by Kenny Burrell.

NAZIR ALI JAIRAZBHOY COLLOQUIUM SERIES
The Nazir Ali Jairazbhoy Colloquium Series presents a variety of lectures focusing on research and other issues important in the field of ethnomusicology. Lectures are free and open to the public.

Wednesday, April 4
1–3 p.m.
Kathleen Hood
'Continuity and Change: Bedouin Music and Dance in the North Badia, Jordan'
Schoenberg Music Building (B544)

Hood is the publications director and events coordinator for the UCLA Department of Ethnomusicology.

Wednesday, April 18
1–3 p.m.
Jacqueline Cogdell DjeDje
'The Fiddle in West African and African-American Culture … The Devil's Instrument?'
Schoenberg Music Building (B544)

DjeDje is a professor of ethnomusicology at UCLA.

Wednesday, May 2
1–3 p.m.
Cheryl L. Keyes
'They Say I'm Different: (Re)discovering the Musical Career of Betty Mabry Davis'
Schoenberg Music Building (B544)

Keyes is a professor of ethnomusicology at UCLA.

Wednesday, May 16
1–3 p.m.
Steve Loza
'The Latino Museum: My Role as Board President, Producer and Composer'
Schoenberg Music Building (B544)

Loza is a professor of ethnomusicology at UCLA.

Wednesday, May 30
1–3 p.m.
Jerome Camal
'The Art of Imbalance: Music, Dance and Nationalism in Guadeloupe'
Schoenberg Music Building (B544)

Camal is a visiting assistant professor of musicology at UCLA.

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