“I felt the unique pull of UCLA the moment I stepped into the music building and started meeting people. The lively spirit of the place immediately spoke to me, just like the San Francisco Conservatory and Interlochen before had so said clearly: 'You belong here, this place and these people will be your stepping stone and your tribe as you are honed into a more complete artist-citizen.' The faculty, who are by far the most congenial and collaborative that I have encountered in any music school, are the most refreshing and curious mixture of kind, professional, approachable, empathetic, skilled in their crafts, and dedicated to their students. The masterfully presented coursework is both challenging and rigorous while still managing to be immediately practical towards a career. My fellow students, who span a spectrum of fascinating disciplines, form an inspiring treasure-trove of collaborative possibilities. Westwood itself is a unique gem: a beautiful neighborhood that is as safe and economical as it is convenient and strategically located to all the major LA arts venues. If this were any other school, I would lament that two years is barely enough time to get acquainted, let alone complete a degree. However, the warm and welcoming community of UCLA leaves me feeling assured that this brief time of growth is actually the beginning of a new life complete with friends,

ideas, inspirations, and practices that will stick with me

for many years to come.

- Morgan O'Shaughnessey, viola, MM

 

 

 

“The Top 10 Reasons for Studying Music at the

Herb Alpert School of Music

#10 – Geographically, the Herb Alpert

School of Music’s Schoenberg Hall

is only 12.1 miles to Will Rogers State Beach

– excellent surfing –

and 119.2 miles to Big Bear – awesome skiing.

#9 – Los Angeles, according to ranker.com,

is the second best city in the United States

in which to start and nurture a music career.

#8 – The extraordinary diversity and open mindedness among the faculty and students – culturally, stylistically,

and pedagogically – reigns supreme. 

#7 – With a relatively small and intimate music department offering unique and customized curricula,

in the words of The Cribs, you’re not

'just another number on another road.'

#6 – UCLA Philharmonia, UCLA Symphony, the Wind Ensemble, the Bruin Marching Band, the Symphonic Band,  Varsity Band, Chamber Singers, UCLA Chorale, University Chorus, UCLA’s Student Chapter of the ACDA, UCLA’s Choral Composers Lab, Opera UCLA, UCLA Brass Ensemble,

Contempo Flux Contemporary Music Ensemble, UCLA Guitar Ensemble, UCLA Percussion Ensemble, the Camarades String Chamber Music Ensembles, Woodwind Chamber Ensembles, Early Music Ensemble, Beethoven String Quartets,

and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance

--- über cool --- it’s all yours for the asking.

#5 – An incredible collection of world musical instruments.

#4 – Studying with and among teachers of the highest caliber,

integrity, and breadth of experience.

#3 – An astounding array of performance spaces

and opportunities, both on and off campus.

#2 – Great potential for better living

through scholarships and financial aid. 

… And the #1 reason for studying music at the

Herb Alpert School of Music ---

Camaraderie, compassion, encouragement, laughter, enormous support for intrepid explorations beyond the fringe, freedom of artistic expression, and a program that drives one

toward an insatiable appetite for more.”

- Stephanie Nagler, violin, MM