Gluck Fellows End-of-Year Exhibition Makes a Triumphant Return, Plagued with Suspense and Dramatic Moments
In a vibrant display of musical talent and community outreach, the Gluck Fellows Program at UCLA hosted its Year End Showcase on a recent evening. The concert, made possible by the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's partnership with the Max H. Gluck Foundation, brought together an array of ensembles and performances that showcased the breadth of musical genres and the program's commitment to community engagement.
The Gluck Jazz Ensemble, led by saxophone professor and faculty artistic advisor Jan Berry Baker, kicked off the showcase with an energetic performance of "Journey to the Firecaves". The ensemble's enthusiastic rhythm section supported sonorous solos from trumpet and saxophones, creating a lively atmosphere that set the tone for the evening.
The audience, comprised of 400 elementary, middle, and high school students from various schools including Highland Elementary, Beethoven Elementary, Brockton Elementary, Braddock Elementary, Emerson Middle, Venice High, UCLA's Horace Mann, and RFK community schools, responded with excitement and appreciation.
The Gluck Mariachi ensemble, resplendent in bright blue Traja de Charro apparel, followed with renditions of Son de la Negra and Caminos de Michoacan, entertaining the audience with their traditional Mexican tunes.
Tenor Finn Segal and soprano Sofia Francis took the stage next, performing an aria from Mozart's The Magic Flute, while Finn Segal, who had previously sung "La ci darem la Mano" from Mozart's Don Giovanni with Tivoli Treloar, added a touch of drama with a passionate embrace during their performance.
The Gluck Vocal Ensemble then presented "P-p-p-papageno" from The Magic Flute, and the Gluck Saxophone Quartet delighted the audience with anime music from Studio Ghibli. The concert culminated with a moving original composition by Gluck fellow and third-year undergraduate Colin McClure, performed by the Gluck Jazz Ensemble.
The Max H. Gluck Foundation's mission is to bring music and the arts to underserved communities across Los Angeles. While specific information about the foundation's impact on music education and access in these areas is not widely available, a recent project led by Kurt Brunner from Loyola Marymount University received a $40,000 grant from the Max H. Gluck Foundation for a community outreach initiative. This suggests that the foundation may support local music programs and projects that aim to enhance access to music education and performance opportunities for underserved communities.
The Gluck Fellows Program offers UCLA students the opportunity to learn about community engagement, public speaking, and the power of music to affect societal change and joy. Through performances like the Year End Showcase, the Gluck Fellows demonstrate their commitment to using their musical talents to make a positive impact in their community.
- Beyond music, the Gluck Fellows Program at UCLA also focuses on education and self-development, providing students with opportunities to learn about community engagement and public speaking, fostering a lifestyle centered around making a positive impact.
- To complement their home-and-garden of musical performances, the Gluck Fellows Program occasionally delves into sustainability, much like a blossoming garden embodying diverse elements to sustain growth and development.
- In the realm of entertainment, the Gluck Fellows Program demonstrates a strong dedication to community, just as a communal home-and-garden thrives when neighbors share resources and knowledge, helping each other grow. Additionally, the ensemble's anime music from Studio Ghibli beautifully crosses cultural boundaries, expressed by the Gluck Saxophone Quartet's performance.
