Arts & Humanities

Exploring the ‘musical audacity’ of funk

Megan Maneval — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:03:46 +0000

Exploring the ‘musical audacity’ of funk Megan Maneval Fri, 12/13/2024 - 08:03

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

In a newly published book, CU Boulder Professor Reiland Rabaka delves into the culture and sound of music’s “best-kept secret”

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New leadership, bold vision: Michael Uy and the future of the AMRC

Ally Dever — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 21:53:07 +0000

New leadership, bold vision: Michael Uy and the future of the AMRC Ally Dever Wed, 12/11/2024 - 14:53

Ally Dever

The American Music Research Center (AMRC) at CU Boulder is a unique hub for exploring and celebrating the diverse traditions of American music. Jointly housed in the College of Music and the University Libraries, the AMRC boasts the largest repository of archival collections on American music in the region, including scores, recordings, personal papers and artifacts documenting the nation’s musical heritage.

This year marks a new chapter for the AMRC with the appointment of Michael Uy as its director. An accomplished scholar, Uy is the author of a book on public and private arts funding and has published extensively in leading musicology journals. His distinguished career includes serving as the assistant dean at Harvard College from 2017 to 2023, along with earning numerous prestigious teaching awards.

American Music Research Center Director Michael Uy.

In a conversation with CU Boulder Today, Uy shared his vision for the AMRC, discussed upcoming initiatives and highlighted the opportunities and events in store for students under his leadership.

How does the AMRC decide which research projects and initiatives to pursue?

The AMRC selects its research projects and initiatives primarily through the guidance of the director, which is to say I have a lot of discretion which initiatives we pursue. However, these decisions are not made in isolation.

Each academic year, the director collaborates with a team of three to four graduate students specializing in historical musicology, ethnomusicology or related fields. This year, my approach has been to actively involve these graduate students in brainstorming and developing new initiatives for the center, fostering a collaborative environment where their insights and ideas help shape our programs moving forward.

We also have an advisory board made up of community members, donors and other faculty members at the College of Music and libraries, and they are another layer of decision-making and source of new ideas.

What new research areas or initiatives are on the horizon?

Looking ahead, the AMRC is exploring a variety of exciting research areas, including scholarship on Indigenous music practices and Colorado's rich musical heritage.

Indigenous music is a particularly vibrant focus, with projects ideas ranging from analyzing protest music to heavy metal within Indigenous communities. The center is also preparing for a visit by Raven Chacon, a MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, in support of the College of Music's McVey Lectureship. His visit will include interviews, student engagements and discussions surrounding Indigenous music.

Simultaneously, the AMRC is considering projects on Colorado’s musical traditions, from bluegrass and folk to the legacy of the iconic Caribou Ranch recording studio—where artists such as Chicago, Elton John and The Beach Boys recorded some of their most famous music.

These projects aim to generate accessible resources, such as study guides and bibliographies, to benefit both scholars and the general public. These efforts may also culminate in special issues of Americas: A Hemispheric Music Journal, the AMRC’s scholarly publication.

What initiatives do you hope to launch?

One of my key interests is exploring American systems of funding that musicians, scholars and artists operate within, particularly regarding public and private funding. This could potentially lead to a national conference or convening on the topic. Similarly, the AMRC could serve as a hub for discussions on Indigenous music-making as well as the Chicano/Latinx, African American and Asian American histories of music in Colorado.

At the same time, there’s important housekeeping work to be done within our archives. Currently, about 30% of our collections remain unprocessed and inaccessible. Addressing this is a medium-term goal that requires attention and resources. It’s not the most glamorous project, but it’s essential for ensuring these materials can support research and scholarship.

What are some standout collections housed in the AMRC archives?

The AMRC houses an array of eclectic collections. One special and unique collection is the Raging Grannies of Denver archive, which documents a group of older women who sang protest songs with a humorous twist. Active during the early 2000s, they reworked familiar tunes with satirical lyrics addressing political and environmental issues. Their archive includes photos, handwritten lyrics and recordings that showcase their spirited activism.

Another highlight is the Otis Taylor collection, recently donated by the legendary blues banjo artist himself. Plans are underway for a spring concert where Taylor will perform and lead a master class with students and faculty.

Additionally, the Dan Fong collection features an impressive array of photographs from iconic Colorado music events, including images of the Grateful Dead, John Denver and Chuck Berry. A spring exhibition of Fong’s work is also in the works.

Finally, the AMRC boasts the extensive Glenn Miller collection, comprising over 1,300 boxes of material. It includes personal treasures from the World War II bandleader, including his trombone from his days at CU Boulder, handwritten scores, letters and much more.

What ongoing initiatives are still happening?

One of the larger ongoing projects at the AMRC is the Pueblo Soundscapes initiative, which was originally spearheaded by my predecessor Susan Thomas. This project, nearing its conclusion, documents the music and culture of the city of Pueblo, Colorado, and the surrounding county.

Researchers interviewed community members and created a digital archive of oral histories and performances that will be accessible to the general public through the University of Colorado Libraries. The project, which also involved significant work by graduate students, is partnering with the Latino History Project and K-12 educators to develop educational curricula for primary and secondary school teachers. While this year will mark the end of the project, it lays the groundwork for new initiatives currently in development at the center.

How does the AMRC support the College of Music’s ‘universal musician’ approach to its mission?

The AMRC plays a pivotal role in supporting the College of Music’s universal musician approach by equipping students with the knowledge and tools to deeply understand the histories of the music they perform and to explore new musical horizons. Through its extensive archival collections, the AMRC provides a treasure trove of materials for students to explore. They have opportunities to study, interpret and play new music, fostering skills that will serve them throughout their careers.

The AMRC enhances students’ educational experience with opportunities to program, perform and engage with diverse works. This integration of research, performance and programming is a distinctive feature of the AMRC, offering CU Boulder students a unique and invaluable resource that prepares them to excel as versatile and informed musicians—an approach rarely matched by other music schools or colleges nationwide.

American Music Research Center Director Michael Uy discusses his vision for the center, upcoming initiatives and the opportunities and events in store for students under his leadership.

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That red nose still guides us to Christmas

Megan Maneval — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 19:09:42 +0000

That red nose still guides us to Christmas Megan Maneval Mon, 12/09/2024 - 12:09

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

Sixty years after the debut of the “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” stop-motion animated classic film, the annual deluge of holiday films can thank that small reindeer for their success.

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Defying gravity...and the box office

Elizabeth Lock — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 19:26:48 +0000

Defying gravity...and the box office Elizabeth Lock Wed, 11/27/2024 - 12:26

CU Boulder Lecturer Marla Schulz examines the Broadway musical-turned-film Wicked and how the movie musical endures.

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These princesses aren’t just waiting around for their prince

Megan Maneval — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 20:26:36 +0000

These princesses aren’t just waiting around for their prince Megan Maneval Mon, 11/25/2024 - 13:26

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

CU Boulder lecturer Shannon Leone helps us look at two of Disney’s most famous female characters, Anna and Elsa, with a critical eye.

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Gladiators make a comeback on the silver screen

Megan Maneval — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 14:57:45 +0000

Gladiators make a comeback on the silver screen Megan Maneval Mon, 11/25/2024 - 07:57

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

Even if historical films like “Gladiator II” are inaccurate on key points, CU Boulder's Travis Rupp sees value in them as a gateway to getting students interested in real history.

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Sophie Weston Chien uses textiles to educate, share stories

Megan Maneval — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:05:10 +0000

Sophie Weston Chien uses textiles to educate, share stories Megan Maneval Thu, 11/21/2024 - 07:05

For Sophie Weston Chien, textiles are more than fabric—they’re maps, site models and stories woven together. As ENVD’s first Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellow, she is pioneering an innovative approach to design communication, one that connects community, ecology and history through the tactile art of tufted textiles.

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Loving the art but not the artist

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:40:40 +0000

Loving the art but not the artist Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/22/2024 - 09:40

CU Boulder philosopher Iskra Fileva explores the complexities in separating the magic of a story from the controversies of its teller.

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Balancing yoga traditions with modern wellness requires flexibility

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 19:08:40 +0000

Balancing yoga traditions with modern wellness requires flexibility Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/26/2024 - 13:08

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

CU Boulder scholar Loriliai Biernacki reflects on the differences between ancient yoga and yoga as it’s practiced today during Yoga Awareness Month.

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Stephen Graham Jones slashes his way into Texas literary history

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 12:14:49 +0000

Stephen Graham Jones slashes his way into Texas literary history Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/12/2024 - 06:14

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

Stephen Graham Jones, author of multiple bestselling horror novels among other award-winning works, has been inducted into the Texas Literary Hall of Fame.

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Arts & Humanities

Exploring the ‘musical audacity’ of funk

Related Articles

New leadership, bold vision: Michael Uy and the future of the AMRC

How does the AMRC decide which research projects and initiatives to pursue?

What new research areas or initiatives are on the horizon?

What initiatives do you hope to launch?

What are some standout collections housed in the AMRC archives?

What ongoing initiatives are still happening?

How does the AMRC support the College of Music’s ‘universal musician’ approach to its mission?

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That red nose still guides us to Christmas

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