UCLA creates Center for Musical Studies, focusing on humanistic research and education in music.
UCLA's Herb Alpert School of Music is set to debut its Center for Musical Humanities with an inaugural event titled "Anthem: Remixing Race and Nation". This program, scheduled for May 8th at Schoenberg Hall, aims to explore themes of race, nationhood, and identity through music.
The event will consist of a symposium during the afternoon (3:30 p.m to 5:30 p.m) and a live performance in the evening (7:30 p.m to 9:15 p.m). Grammy-nominated songwriter and jazz vocalist René Marie will perform during the evening concert, singing the black national anthem, "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing", sung to the tune of "The Star-Spangled Banner".
The symposium will be moderated by Shana Redmond, an associate professor of musicology and African-American studies at UCLA. The program will address the political climate by focusing on performances and re-imaginings of "The Star-Spangled Banner".
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who protested the national anthem during his career in the NBA, will participate in a discussion following Rene Marie's performance. The evening concert will also include transgressive performances of the national anthem by UCLA students and faculty.
The Center for Musical Humanities, administered by the school of music, aims to foster interdisciplinary interest in music and the humanities across the university. Its advisory board includes faculty from various disciplines, including music, humanities, social sciences, theater, film and television, and arts and architecture.
Further details about the event can be found on the Anthem: Remixing Race and Nation website. For more specific details on the program lineup or participating artists, it might be helpful to check UCLA’s official Center for Musical Humanities website or event announcements directly.
The program is free and open to the public, offering an opportunity for the UCLA community and the general public to engage in thought-provoking discussions and performances that challenge traditional national anthems and narratives around race and belonging. The evening will conclude with a brief video montage of historical performances of the national anthem.
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