UCLA Armenian Music Program: A Recap of the Last Year
UCLA's Armenian Music Program Thrives Amidst Challenges
The Armenian Music Program at UCLA continues to flourish, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Movses Pogossian, Director of the program, will be teaching "Masters and Masterpieces of Armenian Classical Music" in the upcoming academic year.
In the 2019-2020 academic year, the program experienced new achievements and milestones. Two new courses were introduced: a graduate seminar on Armenian folk music and an Armenian Music Ensemble. Students in the Armenian Music Ensemble transcribed and conceptualized melodic structures and lyrics of traditional Armenian songs during virtual classes.
Tigran Hamasyan, a world-renowned jazz pianist, is expected to conduct workshops on improvisation during the winter and spring quarters. Hamasyan's new album, "The Call Within," is set to be released in August.
The VEM Quartet, associated with UCLA, has been focusing on traditional and modern Armenian compositions. They began exploring Armenian classical music and performed outreach for UCLA and local Armenian High school students. The quartet plans to record a second CD highlighting the works of contemporary Armenian composers, a "sequel" to the "Modulation Necklace" CD.
Danielle Segen, Mezzo-soprano, and Victoria Simonyan of the Lark Musical Society collaborated on video recordings of "Oror", "Manushakin", and "Horzham". A tutorial for the folk dance Gyovnd was created by Armen Adamian, Natalie Kamajian, and Haik Adamian for teaching dance while social distancing.
Armen Adamian, UCLA Ethnomusicology Ph.D. student, taught the Armenian Music Ensemble. Melissa Bilal, Distinguished Research Fellow at UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies, taught the graduate seminar on Armenian folk music. Melissa Bilal (guest lecturer from the American University of Armenia) will teach "Music and Intersectionality in the Mediterranean" in the upcoming academic year.
Karenn Presti will teach "Introduction to Armenian Music". The Armenian Music Program will offer four different classes in the 2020-2021 academic year.
The Armenian Music Program's activities have been made possible by the assistance and encouragement of its community partners and supporters. The Program is hopeful that live performances will return and the VEM Ensemble will continue its outreach program, culminating with a return to Armenia in June 2021.
The UCLA Armenian Music Program has been notable for its integration of Armenian traditional and contemporary music in academic coursework and performance ensembles. For precise information about the expansion of the program, including new courses, ensemble developments, or releases like the "Modulation Necklace" CD in 2019-2020, we recommend consulting UCLA's official music department announcements or Armenian Studies Program archives directly.
Engaging in lifelong learning is crucial, as the Armenian Music Program at UCLA offers four different classes in the 2020-2021 academic year, including "Introduction to Armenian Music" and "Masters and Masterpieces of Armenian Classical Music." To hone their skills further, students can take an online course on Armenian folk music or attend workshops on improvisation by Tigran Hamasyan.
For those interested in Armenian culture, the UCLA Armenian Music Program provides entertainment through performances and collaborations, such as video recordings of traditional songs and tutorials for Armenian folk dances. During these unprecedented times, the Program has adapted to online education, allowing students to learn and develop their musical knowledge and skills from home.
As part of a comprehensive education-and-self-development experience, the Armenian Music Program's activities are made possible through community partnerships and support, with hopes of organizing live performances and outreach programs in the future, including a return to Armenia in June 2021.
