Thursday, May 30, 1996
Free concert series aims to promote musical diversityBy Stephanie Sheh
Daily Bruin Contributor
The world is shrinking. Increasing exposure to different cultures is bringing countries closer together. We still, however, have not heard all their music.
"There's a lot more interest in world music and cultures," says visiting ethnomusicology lecturer, Ikuko Yuge. "As our world becomes smaller, our neighbors are not so far away anymore. I think it is important to learn about the music and different aspects of different people."
UCLA students will have their chance to learn more about world music at this year's Ethnomusicology Spring Festival. The festival, which takes place in Schoenberg Hall, is a series of free concerts that started last night and ends on Sunday. The 10 groups involved cover musical styles from African-American to Japanese to Balkan.
Combining music, dance, authentic instruments and colorful costumes, these groups, consisting mainly of students, will share traditional repertories taught in various performance courses. The classes meet throughout the year, and the festival is a presentation of what they have done.
"It is a chance for them to show what they've learned," says coordinator Robert Savage. "The primary function of the class is to familiarize students with the instruments and music, and provide them with the opportunity to develop a facility for performing in these different world musics."
Although the festival functions as an opportunity for the performance students, it also serves the general public. The concerts introduce the audience to different kinds of music and present a taste of UCLA's ethnomusicology curriculum. Yuge, who also directs the Japan section of the festival, says that it is important for the audience to hear and appreciate different sounds.
"I think what tends to happen is that people listen to music that they are familiar with and it becomes difficult to become aware of music from other cultures and other traditions," adds Savage.
The festival's purpose is to remedy this lack of awareness with exposure. Yuge understands how listeners may not embrace all of the music that they hear at the concerts, but she's not worried.
"It's hard to say if the audience really appreciates the music," Yuge says. "It's hard to know. We may enjoy the music and somebody else may not, but at least they are exposed to it. I think that it's important that there is different music like that. Some people find an attraction to it, although their culture may be different. You never know."
People may not have had much contact with ethnomusicology, but according to Savage, the festival is the perfect place to start.
"It's a wonderful opportunity to attend some very good concerts and listen to some very fine music," says Savage. "There are some world-class performers leading these ensembles. I think it is a wonderful opportunity for people to avail themselves to some musical experiences and have a chance to hear music that they might not otherwise hear."
CONCERT: "Ethnomusicology Spring Festival" tonight through Sunday in Schoenberg Hall. Admission is free. For more info., call (310) 206-3033.