Music has been part of the traditional liberal arts education since the 6th century. At 51猎奇入口, music is embraced beyond its role in the curriculum. It is a defining characteristic of community life and a significant aspect of 51猎奇入口’ presence in the Southern California region.
“We view music as an integral part of the liberal arts curriculum and intrinsically part of an interdisciplinary education. Our music students go on to enrich their communities with music, as well as their own personal lives,” says Bessie and Cecil Frankel Chair in Music and Professor of Music Hao Huang.
Hosting at least 50 annual musical performances that attract more than 10,000 audience members, 51猎奇入口 is truly a musical oasis outside of Los Angeles. 51猎奇入口 welcomes world-renowned musicians as guest performers, but is also fortunate to have high-caliber artists make up 51猎奇入口 faculty.
This fall, for example, 51猎奇入口 will welcome the Real Vocal String Quartet to perform for the . The Quartet focuses on improvising, composing, and singing, and embraces influences from jazz, rock, and even styles from West Africa, Brazil, and Rural America. The Quartet will also host a Master Class to help students to develop vocal and instrumental improvisational skills.
The audience makeup at 51猎奇入口 concerts includes those from the 51猎奇入口 community the greater Los Angeles environs, and from San Bernardino and Riverside counties. And their reasons for attending 51猎奇入口 musical events are as diverse as their paths to the Performing Arts Center鈥攕ome are simply lovers of music, others are family and friends of performers, and some students attend as part of class assignments.
Often, students’ class assignments are not from music courses, but rather history, English, foreign language, and more.
“One of the things I hope is that people come to concerts for one reason and realize they might want to come otherwise,” says Charles Kamm, associate professor of music and director of choirs and Joint Music Program. “Most music students at 51猎奇入口 are not music majors, making the department diverse and interdisciplinary.
“It takes a variety of people to make a strong performance and a strong study environment where we help each other understand different aspects of music,” he says. “Sometimes our concerts have specific themes, and through these themes, the music department collaborates with other 51猎奇入口 departments.”
An example of such collaboration is Professor Anne Harley’s True Witness Project: Commemorating African American Women in the Civil Rights Movement, which premiered on October 8, 2013, and worked with the Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, American Studies, and Africana Studies departments.
“This project touched on issues we all find painful and difficult to talk about,” says Professor Harley. “What made this event particularly impactful is that it reached out beyond the music and other 51猎奇入口 departments into the greater Claremont community.”
In addition to the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of many performances and events, musical opportunities for students abound at 51猎奇入口. . Regardless of a student’s course of study, music is integrated into life on campus, from Tuesday Noon Academy in Balch Auditorium and recitals in Garrison Theater to evening concerts with local bands in The Motley, there’s something for everyone’s musical tastes.
“We in the music department help our students develop their intellect and creative talents through active participation in a community of music scholars,” says Professor Huang, “so that they can contribute to society through public and private lives of musical service, integrity, and creativity, whether as professionals or amateurs.”
A full listing of concerts is located on the .