UCLA Armenian Music Program: Recap of the Past Year's Highlights
UCLA's Armenian Music Program is experiencing a period of growth and development, with several notable achievements and initiatives.
In the upcoming academic year, the program will offer four different classes, including the Armenian Music Ensemble taught by Armen Adamian and a graduate seminar exploring Armenian folk music and traditions, taught by Melissa Bilal. The Armenian Music Ensemble, launched in the Winter Quarter, provides students with the opportunity to learn traditional songs, dances, and instruments.
One of the program's key highlights is the involvement of the VEM Ensemble, a musical group focused on Armenian musical traditions and contemporary works. The VEM Ensemble has been an integral part of the program’s offerings, contributing to performance opportunities and cultural representation within the curriculum.
The VEM Quartet, a member of the VEM Ensemble, began exploring Armenian classical music during the 2019-2020 academic year. They created a virtual performance of Komitas' Kaqavik for the "Gems of Armenian Music" Fiat Lux class. The quartet also performed outreach shows for UCLA and local Armenian High School students.
The program's dedication to education and the promotion of Armenian music is evident in the release of the Modulation Necklace CD. This CD showcases the program’s commitment to producing and disseminating Armenian music in modern formats. Plans are underway for a second CD, a "sequel" to Modulation Necklace, which will highlight the works of contemporary Armenian composers.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Armenian Music Program continued to thrive during the 2019-2020 academic year. Students in the Armenian Music Ensemble learned to transcribe and conceptualize melodic structures and lyrics of traditional Armenian songs during virtual classes. A tutorial for the folk dance Gyovnd was also created by Armen Adamian, Natalie Kamajian, and Haik Adamian to continue teaching dance while social distancing.
The program looks forward to the return of Tigran Hamasyan for a series of workshops on improvisation during the winter and spring quarters. Hamasyan's new album, "The Call Within", is set to be released in August.
The Armenian Music Program is also planning to resume live performances and continue the VEM Ensemble's outreach program, culminating with a return to Armenia in June 2021. The program anticipates the continued collaboration and expansion of educational programming and research relating to Armenian music.
The annual Day of Armenian Music UCLA continues to spotlight the program’s depth and breadth, with the fifth annual festival taking place in 2025 and showcasing Armenian music and culture prominently. New courses and educational programs relating to Armenian music are under active development and expansion, as evidenced by scholarly meetings and discussions about program growth and research activities.
The Armenian Music Program's activities have been made possible through the assistance and encouragement of its community partners and supporters. As the program continues to grow and evolve, it remains committed to the performance, scholarship, and celebration of Armenian Music heritage at UCLA.
[1] Source: UCLA Newsroom [2] Source: Herb Alpert School of Music [3] Source: Armenian Weekly [4] Source: UCLA Newsroom [5] Source: UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
In the pursuit of expanding the heritage of Armenian Music at UCLA, the upcoming academic year will feature various courses such as the Armenian Music Ensemble and a graduate seminar on folk music. Additionally, the program intends to resume live performances, continue outreach programs, and collaborate with artists like Tigran Hamasyan, contributing to the home-and-garden scene by promoting the rich and diverse àsthletes and traditions within the entertainment industry. The program also plans to release a second CD showcasing contemporary Armenian composers, reflecting the accessible and modern approach of the lifestyle movement within music.
