University of California, Los Angeles establishes a new center dedicated to the study of music and its impact on society, named the Center for Musical Humanities.
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is set to host an intriguing event titled "Anthem: Remixing Race and Nation" at its Herb Alpert School of Music on May 8. This inaugural event for the new Center for Musical Humanities will delve into the intersections of race, nation, and identity through the lens of anthems and musical expression.
The Center for Musical Humanities, administered by the school of music, aims to foster interdisciplinary interest in music and the humanities across the university. The center, under the leadership of musicology professor Raymond Knapp, builds upon UCLA's commitment to interdisciplinary study, as stated by the founding dean of the Herb Alpert School of Music, Judith Smith.
The symposium, curated and moderated by Shana Redmond, an associate professor of musicology and African-American studies at UCLA, will run from 3:30 p.m to 5:30 p.m. Topics to be discussed include Marvin Gaye's reimagining of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the 1983 NBA All-Star game, Jimi Hendrix's performance of the same anthem at Woodstock in 1969, and the role of nationalism and nationalist symbols in the 19th century, among others.
Renowned figures such as Wade Dean, a graduate student in musicology at UCLA, Robert Fink, a professor of musicology and chair of the Herb Alpert School of Music's minor in music industry, and Cecilia O'Leary, a professor of history at CSU Monterey Bay, will contribute to the discussion.
The evening concert, scheduled from 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., will feature transgressive performances of the national anthem. These performances, some by UCLA students and faculty, and others compiled in a brief video montage, aim to challenge, redefine, and reflect diverse racial and ethnic perspectives.
The event will conclude with Grammy-nominated songwriter and jazz vocalist Reneé Marie performing "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," a powerful rendition that blends the black national anthem with the melody of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Following Reneé Marie's performance, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, whose protests over the national anthem led to a foreshortened career in the NBA, will participate in a discussion.
For more detailed information about the program's speakers, sessions, or featured artists, it is recommended to check UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's official announcements or the Center for Musical Humanities website directly. The inaugural event will mark the debut of the Center for Musical Humanities at Schoenberg Hall.
[1] Nezza's Spanish rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" emphasizing Latino contributions to America (Contextually related discussion)
- The Center for Musical Humanities, with its focus on education-and-self-development, aims to explore the intersection of music, race, nation, and identity through their inaugural event, offering entertainment that delves into various historical and contemporary perspectives.
- In addition to academic discussions, the evening concert promises an entertaining display of music, featuring transgressive performances of national anthems by UCLA students, faculty, and others, aiming to shine a light on the diverse racial and ethnic perspectives, a crucial aspect of both education-and-self-development and entertainment.
