Advocacy Group, Anti-Racism Action Committee, Leads Transformation via Speaker Event Series
UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's "Still Waiting" Speaker Series Addresses Racial Justice in Music
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's "Still Waiting" Speaker Series, launched in January 2021, is a thought-provoking platform that invites experts from diverse music disciplines to share their insights and foster engagement with music history, creativity, and scholarship.
Created through the work of the School of Music's Anti-Racism Action Committee (ARAC), formed in June 2020, the series aims to facilitate dialogue about the racial reckoning in the nation, with a focus on the arts and music. The ARAC is a coalition of faculty, staff, administration, and students working together to examine and address issues of systemic racism.
The inaugural season of the series featured seven talks, with the first conversation being between Arturo O'Farrill, the associate dean for equity, diversity, and inclusion, and renowned professor, author, and orator, Dr. Cornel West. Dr. West set the tone for the series by stating that great art should help people see things more clearly, feel things more profoundly, and act more courageously and compassionately.
Notable presenters included Ayodele Casel, a tap dancer and choreographer; Noelle Scaggs, a singer and songwriter; and Dr. Isrea Butler, a conductor and musicologist. Each presenter provided engaging, first-hand insight into their experiences within the industry.
The series also addressed issues of race facing academic music studies. Dr. Phillip Ewell and Dr. Danielle Brown gave presentations, while Simon Woods from the League of American Orchestras explored the legacy of racism in the orchestral world. Chloe Swindler, a doctoral student studying trumpet and one of the co-chairs of the ARAC, hopes that more students will join the committee and engage in the work being led by the ARAC.
Swindler stated that students can make actionable changes happen by getting involved. O'Farrill, who came up with the name "Still Waiting" to represent the long wait for racial justice that continues today, plans to continue the series as the School of Music prepares for a new academic year.
The series contributes to community engagement when welcoming students and hosting discussions relevant to music scholarship and practice. It also enhances understanding of music's cultural and historical context, reflecting the school's mission to foster a deep appreciation of music and its evolving role.
For updates on future events, visit the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion website. Swindler encourages students to join the ARAC and engage in the important discussions being led by the committee. By doing so, they can help bring about change and continue the conversation about racial justice in music.
- The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's "Still Waiting" Speaker Series, as part of their mission to foster a deep appreciation of music, also addresses diversity and inclusion in the business of music, inviting experts from various disciplines to discuss their experiences and contribute to the ongoing dialogue about racial justice in education and self-development.
- By joining the Anti-Racism Action Committee (ARAC) at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, students not only keep up with the updates on the engrossing "Still Waiting" Speaker Series but also actively participate in shaping the financial landscape of the music industry by contributing to the discussions and initiatives aimed at addressing systemic racism, ultimately fostering a more equitable and inclusive future for music.
