Honorary Ceremony for Graduates in 2023
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music marked a memorable occasion with its 2023 commencement ceremony, which featured an array of accomplished ensembles and esteemed speakers. The celebratory event brought together both continuing and graduating students, along with faculty and administration, in a procession that is a staple of every UCLA commencement.
This year's ceremony saw the graduating voice students deliver a resounding rendition of the alma mater, while the All-School Ensemble performed a musical interlude featuring John Coltrane's "Equinox." The procession was accompanied by the UCLA West African Drum Ensemble and the UCLA Commencement Brass, adding a rhythmic and melodic flair to the event.
The commencement speaker was MacArthur Fellow Martha Gonzalez, an alumna of UCLA's School of Music with a degree in ethnomusicology. In her speech, she outlined a bold vision of community-based music as a liberating force. Gonzalez, who is also a member of the band Quetzal, emphasised the power of music to bring people together and foster social change.
Inaugural Dean Eileen Strempel addressed the audience about the vital role of the artist in an age of artificial intelligence. She encouraged graduates to embrace their creativity and use it to navigate the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The ceremony also featured student speakers Emma Breen, a master's trumpet performance student, and Yeremiya (Yerry) Wright, an undergraduate ethnomusicology student. Both students delivered inspiring addresses that highlighted the importance of music in their lives and the impact it has had on their UCLA experience.
With over seventy commencement ceremonies at UCLA this year, the School of Music's 2023 celebration stood out as a special occasion. The recessional was accompanied by Mariachi Uclatlán, adding a unique twist to the traditional proceedings.
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's 2023 commencement was a testament to the institution's commitment to fostering a vibrant and diverse musical community. The event showcased the talents of its students, faculty, and alumni, while also emphasising the transformative power of music in our lives.
During the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's 2023 commencement ceremony, the event was not just about revered music performances but also focused on the transformative power of music as a tool for self-development and social change, as outlined by Martha Gonzalez, a UCLA School of Music alumna and MacArthur Fellow. Furthermore, recognising the importance of music in individual lives and the impact it can have on experiences, both Emma Breen, a master's trumpet performance student, and Yeremiya (Yerry) Wright, an undergraduate ethnomusicology student, delivered inspiring speeches that highlighted this significance.
