Music School Honors Notable Ethnomusicology Expert A.J. Racy in Celebration
After a distinguished 40-year career at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), A.J. Racy, the preeminent professor of Ethnomusicology, is retiring from the School of Music. This renowned scholar, performer, and author has left an indelible mark on the field of ethnomusicology, combining the study of world music with related cultural theory.
Throughout his tenure at UCLA, Racy has inspired countless students, guiding them as they pursued their ideas and creative paths. His guiding words of wisdom, drawn from the Dalai Lama, remind us that "First of all, as a human being I believe that we are all the same in that we all want happiness and do not want suffering. So my first commitment is to the promotion of human values, such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline, because in my limited experience it is by fostering such values that we make ourselves happier."
As Racy embarks on this new chapter of his life, he looks forward to continuing his passion for music. He plans to compose, record, and perform, as well as engage in research, writing, and publishing. His retirement will also include spending time with his family, including his stepson, Robert Moser, Associate Professor of Portuguese at the University of Georgia (UGA), and his wife, as well as two granddaughters.
Racy's contributions to the field of ethnomusicology are far-reaching. He is a master of multiple traditional instruments, including the nay and buzuq. His award-winning book, "Making Music in the Arab World: The Culture and Artistry of Tarab," won the prestigious British Kuwait Friendship Society Book Prize for the best book on the Middle East for 2004.
To honour Racy's legacy, the School of Music at UCLA has established the A.J. Racy Scholarship in Ethnomusicology. This scholarship supports graduate and undergraduate scholars in their studies at the School of Music, ensuring that Racy's passion for ethnomusicology continues to inspire future generations.
While Racy's post-UCLA plans are not yet known, his brothers and friends have encouraged him to write his life history or autobiography. It is possible that he may continue to give lessons on the nay at the week-long summer Arabic Music Retreat.
As Racy steps away from UCLA, he leaves behind a rich legacy of music, scholarship, and inspiration. His impact on the field of ethnomusicology, as well as on the lives of his students, will be felt for years to come.
Racy's retirement from UCLA signifies a shift in his lifestyle, as he now looks forward to indulging in his passion for music, entertainment, and education-and-self-development. Beyond composing, recording, and performing, he might pen down his life history or autobiography, furthering his journey in literature.
