This post was updated Oct. 5 at 8:44 p.m.
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music new chapter has one prevalent theme – unity.
Acclaimed educator and musicologist Michael Beckerman was appointed as the new dean of the School of Music and began his role Oct. 1. Although Beckerman is experienced in multiple academic areas, he said he does not intend to take on the new role as someone with nothing left to learn. He explained that when entering a new environment, being open to learning how the place works is crucial to understanding its needs and how to address them. Stepping into the position, Beckerman said he plans to create many opportunities for connection and unity, hoping to create an atmosphere similar to smaller institutions where people feel close to their peers and mentors.
“That also means a lot when you’re coming into somewhat complex new environment – to know that there are people who have your back – and that’s what I want to do for people in my school,” he said. “I’ve got their back and I’m interested in what they’re doing, encouraging them. Because tough love is great, but a lot of times people just need encouragement.”
As part of the group of faculty that identified and selected candidates for the dean position, associate professor of musicology Jenny Olivia Johnson said one of the main criteria looked for in candidates was someone who would unify the school. With the School of Music being home to a variety of sound art and music, Johnson said it was important for the person selected to be someone who did not see hierarchies within these areas, but rather someone who would reflect the entirety of the school’s spectrum.
Mark Kligman, a Mickey Katz Endowed Chair in Jewish Music, also participated in the selection of the dean. He said UCLA’s School of Music often competes with both conservatories and schools focused on music as a study. When working on the appointment of a dean, Kligman said Beckerman was a strong candidate because of his experience in both music as a performance and a field of study. Johnson added that most candidates had an element of hybridity to them, but it was Beckerman’s commitment to understanding and connecting individuals involved in different aspects of music scholarship that distinguished him.
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Explaining the importance of all elements of music studies, Beckerman said the combination of action and reflection is essential in any field. He said that when there is too much action, people can lose focus, but when there’s only reflection, things lose power. He added that this balance is something he sees reflected not only in the School of Music, but the university as a whole – people can take immediate action with projects, but also have the opportunity to sit back, analyze and challenge themselves.
Having just finished a teaching position, Beckerman said he wants to find a way to continue his career as a pedagogue during his time at UCLA. Kligman said this is a great opportunity for Beckerman to learn more about the students, creating a shared vision for the School of Music between students and the faculty.
With that goal in mind, Beckerman said he created drop-in hours, where any student can show up and have an informal conversation with him. He said he understands it is impossible to get to know every student, but he still wants to prioritize having an open conversation because, at the end of the day, the school’s responsibilities are toward the students.
“My one article of faith is that it all starts with interactions between individuals and the way you treat individuals and your relationship to them,” he said. “You can build communities, but they become more abstract as they get larger and larger. With individuals, you have that one-on-one connection, which is absolutely critical.”
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By being experienced in other institutions and academic systems, Kligman said Beckerman has always embodied what it means to push the limits of the field and blur boundaries within it. This, Johnson said, is beneficial to the School of Music since Beckerman is known by many in the industry and can easily translate the school’s work and garner support.
“It’s very hard to get the full package,” she said. “Somebody who’s great in the classroom, great with students, great with administrators and then also great in the outside world, trying to garner support and excitement around what we’re doing in the school. Mike has extensive experience.”
Leading up to the start of the position, Beckerman shared that he looks to prepare students for the music careers of today by familiarizing them with music beyond the practice room. Johnson said that although she is not sure what this goal will exactly look like, she believes it will serve as a form of reflection and encouragement, with faculty and students exploring what a 21st century career is and taking some agency over it.
Kligman said creating this sense of unity among all branches of the School of Music will bring more opportunities for growth. Coming from a time where the school has been working in autopilot, focusing on navigating the next obstacle – from a global pandemic to wildfires – he said he hopes Dean Beckerman’s appointment will bring greater significance to future steps toward innovation.
“We have not yet tapped the potential of The Herb Alpert School of Music,” he said. “We’re doing something very innovative there, but we really haven’t had the opportunities for members of different faculty to really work together and to really collaborate. And I think the more that we as faculty can collaborate together – if we can model that for our students – the students will only benefit more.”
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