Music
- December 12, 2024
Gift of Bösendorfer grand pianos elevates music excellence at UC Santa Cruz
Two extraordinary Bösendorfer grand pianos have found their new home at UC Santa Cruz, thanks to the generosity of alumnus Ken Corday (Porter ’75, aesthetic studies/music). Corday, an accomplished pianist, composer, and Emmy Award-winning executive producer of Days of Our Lives, continues his longstanding support of the Arts Division at UC Santa Cruz through this remarkable gift.
- November 15, 2024
Bringing Broadway to Santa Cruz with ‘Into the Woods’
Sheila Willey, a lecturer in voice and opera in the Music department, is bringing Broadway to Santa Cruz. Into the Woods is a three-time, Tony Award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical, and it’s coming to campus. This 75-minute production will feature lead staff accompanist Luke Shepherd along with a cast of students.
- November 15, 2024
UC Santa Cruz Music Department is gearing up for a holidays filled with music
One of the most important aspects of a music education is the ability to perform. At the University of California, Santa Cruz the Music Department arranges numerous events every quarter to make sure students have opportunities to show their skills and gain valuable experience on stage.
- October 09, 2024
Welcome the new faculty in the Arts Division
As a new quarter starts, the Arts Division is welcoming eight new faculty members who represent the creativity, diversity, and thoughtfulness that are key pieces of the division’s identity.
- September 23, 2024
2024 Arts Division Convocation honors Eduardo and Alison Carrillo
The annual Arts Division Convocation brings together the community to celebrate the new school year. The Distinguished Banana Slug Awards in the Arts is given every year to an honoree who exemplifies excellence and a dedication to the Arts Division. This year’s recipients are (posthumously) former professor Eduardo Carrillo, and his wife Alison Keeler Carrillo.
- September 18, 2024
Santa Cruz Symphony opens new concert with music from professor
Despite his background in astrophysics former professor Martin Gaskell has always had a passion for music. This weekend the Santa Cruz Symphony will be opening their first concert of the season with one of Gaskell’s pieces.
- July 02, 2024
Iconic concert film ‘Stop Making Sense’ playing at the Quarry Amphitheater
Of the many iconic figures who’ve come to Kresge Hall, none seem to be remembered as widely or as fondly as Talking Heads. Their 1977 performance and its history is what, in-part, led Jose Reyes-Olivas, the events and facilities general manager of the Quarry Amphitheater, to host a showing of the bands 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense.
- June 26, 2024
EmpowHer Sound: A seminar to help pave the way for women in music
UC Santa Cruz will be hosting EmpowHer Sound, a three hour exploration of a music production for women. The July 11 event is free for everyone. As an introductory course audience members will learn basic skills and tools to help that on their career journey in music.
- May 23, 2024
In Memoriam: Larry Polansky
Composer, theorist, and professor emeritus Larry Polansky passed away on May 9, 2024 at age 69. Following a successful career in the music industry, Polansky (‘77, math and music) returned to the UC Santa Cruz campus in 2013 to join the Music Department faculty. He retired in 2019, but his years here left a lasting impact on his colleagues, students, and campus as a whole.
- May 15, 2024
UC Santa Cruz Arts Division presents "Iolanthe"
Iolanthe may not be Gilbert & Sullivan’s best known work but according to music lecturer Sheila Willey “I actually think the music is more interesting and a little bit more sophisticated, but not less accessible,” than their other productions. The upcoming performance of the operetta at UC Santa Cruz marks the first time in five years the music department has put on a Gilbert & Sullivan show since they did Pirates of Penzance in 2019.
- May 15, 2024
UC Santa Cruz Arts Division Presents 'Find Your Path!'
Find Your Path! is a two-day experience that guides students through potential career pathways through both in person and online events.
- April 23, 2024
UC Santa Cruz Arts Division presents Prahlad Singh Tipanya
University of California, Santa Cruz is happy to welcome Prahlad Singh Tipanya and his ensemble for a rare performance of Indian folk music featuring the poetry of singer-saint Kabir. The Sunday performance will include music that is rarely heard in the United States.
- March 18, 2024
April in Santa Cruz Creative Music and Arts Festival 2024: "A Time For Change"
The annual month-long celebration of the arts is back at UC Santa Cruz. There will be a dozen performances by talented professionals in art forms including dance, animation and much more.
- March 18, 2024
The Hindustani music concert featuring Uday Bhawalker accompanied by Sukhad Manik Munde
As a part of the (unofficially titled) Indian Music Series, University of California, Santa Cruz is welcoming Uday Bhawalkar to campus for a concert on Friday, April 12. The renowned vocalist will be performing Dhrupad music, one of the oldest musical genres in the Hindustani tradition.
- March 13, 2024
Deep Read 2024 gears up
With book giveaways, email explorations, salons, community conversations, and more, The Humanities Institute is preparing an immersive experience with its latest Deep Read selection, the bestselling and Pulitzer Prize–winning novel Trust.
- February 26, 2024
The UCSC Music Department presents "The World Making Aura of Sonic Blackness" with Moor Mother & James Gordon Williams
On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, the University of California, Santa Cruz Music Department presents a very special performance by guest artist Moor Mother (Camae Ayewa) and James Gordon Williams, assistant professor of music composition at UC Santa Cruz in the Recital Hall of the Music Center.
- February 15, 2024
Legal Studies major Lauren Elscott found her passion with music and events on campus
Lauren Elscott is senior in the legal studies program whose true passion lies in music and events. At UC Santa Cruz she discovered the electronic music minor and how to be involved on campus.
- February 09, 2024
UCSC Central Asian Ensemble honors traditional Uzbek music with special guest master dutarist Rozibi Khodjaeva
UC Santa Cruz is home to the only Western dutar ensemble. They will be playing along with Rozibi Khodjaeva, a master dutar player who is visiting from her home in Uzbekistan. Under the instruction of associate music professor Tanya Merchant, the show will be a culmination of what her students have learned so far.
- February 06, 2024
The Department of Performance, Play, and Design depends on crucial funds from Measure 11
Many are hoping for an adjustment to Measure 11, which dictates the quarterly ticket price for all shows. If the measure makes it onto the ballot and passes it will bring in hundreds or thousands of dollars in revenue.
- January 30, 2024
Renowned Sitarist Nishat Khan playing at UC Santa Cruz
The classical Indian musician will play at Music Center Recital Hall along with tabla player Nitin Mitta. The two are internationally recognized musicians. We will be welcoming Khan back after he last played in 2015.
- January 30, 2024
Music Professor Russell Rodriguez wins the Américo Paredes Prize
The American Folklore Society awarded UC Santa Cruz professor Russell Rodriguez the annual Paredes prize in recognition of his work in the arts with the local community and his contributions to folklore and tradition.
