Scholars Bridge the Mind-Body Gap in Academic Studies and Investigations via Musicology
UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music Explores the Body's Role in Music
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is delving into the intriguing world of how the body plays a significant role in music performance, creation, and experience. This interdisciplinary approach to music education and research is evident in their diverse course offerings and programs.
One such program is the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, which provides intensive college-level jazz training, naturally incorporating the physical aspects of performance as part of musicianship development.
In addition to these performance-focused programs, the school also offers courses that bridge the gap between musicology and dance. A seminar titled "Dance Pedagogy and Musicology," led by musicologists Ben Court and Elisabeth Le Guin, is a prime example of this interdisciplinary approach.
Musicologist Jessica Holmes, a postdoctoral scholar and a recipient of a UCLA Chancellor's Award for Research, is at the forefront of this research. Holmes' work, which focuses on the connection between Beethoven's deafness and his magnum opus, the Ninth Symphony, has been presented at the National Arts Centre's Beethoven Festival in Canada. Her research on the role of the body in the performance of western art music has also been highlighted in "Artsfile."
Holmes is not alone in her pursuit of understanding the body's role in music. The Department of Musicology at UCLA is conducting research in this area, with a particular focus on challenging the traditional undervaluation of the body's role.
In the Fall quarter, a series of courses about the body as an instrument of interpretation and inspiration are available. These courses, offered by the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, are designed to explore the relationship between the body and music, considering the body as an instrument in music.
For instance, a hands-on movement course titled "Body as Instrument" is being offered, led by choreographer Sukha Gildart. This course invites students to explore their bodies as instruments, fostering a deeper understanding of the connection between movement and music.
In conclusion, while the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music does not explicitly detail specific research or courses solely focused on the role of the body in music performance, creation, and experience, their broad interdisciplinary approach and programs suggest a comprehensive environment where embodied musical practice could be explored. For precise and detailed offerings or research themes, direct consultation of UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music’s official course catalog, faculty profiles, and research centers would be recommended.
- The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, a program within UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, integrates the physical aspects of performance into intensive jazz training, contributing to education-and-self-development.
- In the Fall quarter, UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music offers a course titled "Body as Instrument," where students learn to view their bodies as musical instruments for entertainment and enrich their learning experience.
