Committee Advocating Against Racism Novelty Talks Induce Transformative Discourse
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music launched the "Still Waiting" speaker series in January 2021, an initiative created by the Anti-Racism Action Committee (ARAC) to foster dialogue about racial justice in the arts and music.
Chloe Swindler, a doctoral student studying trumpet and one of the co-chairs of the ARAC, expressed her hope that more students would join the committee and engage in the work being led by the ARTC. Swindler stated that students can make actionable changes happen by getting involved.
The inaugural season of the "Still Waiting" speaker series consisted of seven talks, featuring a diverse range of presenters. Arturo O'Farrill, associate dean for equity, diversity, and inclusion, was involved in the series. O'Farrill, who also serves as co-chair of the ARAC, plans to continue the Still Waiting Speaker Series as the School of Music prepares for a new academic year.
The series kicked off with a conversation between Arturo O'Farrill and Dr. Cornel West. Dr. West set the tone for the series by stating that great art tries to help us see things more clearly, feel things more profoundly, and act more courageously and compassionately. Each presenter provided engaging, first-hand insight into their experiences within the industry.
Among the speakers were Simon Woods from the League of American Orchestras, who explored the legacy of racism in the orchestral world, and Ayodele Casel, Noelle Scaggs, and Dr. Isrea Butler, who represented diverse fields within performance. Additionally, Dr. Phillip Ewell and Dr. Danielle Brown gave presentations examining issues of race facing academic music studies.
Arturo O'Farrill chose the name "Still Waiting" to represent the long wait for racial justice that continues. The goal of the series is to facilitate dialogue about the racial reckoning that has occurred across the nation, with a focus on the arts and music.
The Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA regularly hosts lectures and speaker series featuring musicologists and industry professionals. While a specific "Still Waiting" speaker series is not detailed in the search results, the school is known for hosting a variety of speaker and lecture series that explore historical, cultural, and contemporary music themes, emphasizing both the legacy of artists like Herb Alpert and broader American music history.
For precise, up-to-date details on the "Still Waiting" speaker series—its history, future events, and focus—checking UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music’s official events calendar or contacting the school directly would provide the most accurate information. The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion website also offers information on the 2020-21 Still Waiting series events and updates on future events.
- Arturo O'Farrill, the associate dean for equity, diversity, and inclusion at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, plans to continue the "Still Waiting" speaker series, which delves into diversity-and-inclusion issues within the arts and music, as a part of the school's education-and-self-development offerings for the upcoming academic year.
- Beyond the "Still Waiting" speaker series, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music hosts various business-oriented talks with musicologists and industry professionals, facilitating dialogue regarding historical, cultural, and contemporary music themes, reflecting the school's commitment to finance and diversity within the music industry.
