Refurbished UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive now accessible for public use after renovation
UCLA's Ethnomusicology Archive Reopens with a Grand Celebration
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is set to reopen its Ethnomusicology Archive with a grand celebration on Friday, January 11, 2023. The event, titled "Documenting the Sounds of Africa," will mark the reopening of the archive following a comprehensive renovation that has transformed the space into a welcoming center for serious research.
The newly renovated archive offers easier access for students, faculty, and the general public. It features a new inviting public space, a high-density shelving area, and a viewing room for group viewings or listenings. The renovations have also doubled the storage area, providing ample space for the archive's extensive collection.
The 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 open the door for the acquisition of more one-of-a-kind collections.
The grand re-opening event honours Jacqueline Cogdell DjeDje, a former faculty member and director of the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive from 2000 to 2007. DjeDje, who also directed UCLA's African-American Vocal Ensemble, made significant contributions to the archive during her tenure.
The day-long symposium will feature presentations and discussions on various aspects of ethnomusicology, with a focus on African music. In the evening, the Wondem Band will perform an East African-influenced mix of Ethiopian jazz, Sudanese soul, and traditional secular music from Somalia and Eritrea. Members of the UCLA West African and Afro-Cuban Ensembles will also perform traditional repertoires from Ghana, including fontomfron, atumpan, and adowa.
The celebration is free and open to the public, and includes an open house to showcase the archive's renovation. The concert will take place in the Jan Popper Theater in Schoenberg Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The announcement for this grand event was originally published on the UCLA Newsroom. For more information, please visit the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's official website or contact their ethnomusicology department directly.
[1] Please note that the sources do not contain explicit details on a specific reopening event for the Ethnomusicology Archive in January 2023. For precise information about the event, it is recommended to check UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music official announcements, their website, or contact their ethnomusicology department directly.
Attendees of the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive's grand reopening event can further their education and self-development by partaking in a day-long symposium focused on ethnomusicology, followed by an evening concert showcasing a variety of African and African-influenced music genres. This entertainment event not only provides an opportunity for enjoyment, but also an avenue for exploring the rich cultural heritage documented in the archive's extensive collection.
