Los Angeles Philharmonic Music Director Gustavo Dudamel will receive the UCLA Medal, the highest honor of excellence for extraordinary accomplishment given to an individual by the university.
The Tiffany & Co. designed medal will be presented by UCLA Chancellor Gene Block during the ceremony. The medal is awarded to those who have achieved exceptional feats in their academic and professional lives, and whose body of work or social achievements typify UCLA’s principles.
“It’s a great thing for him, especially for everything he’s done for not only the orchestra here in LA but as a community. I know he’s a big advocate for Youth Orchestra programs and he himself was a part of one growing up’” said John Gonzalez, a junior bassoon performance major at Thornton.
The ceremony will take place next month, on Tuesday, May 7th from 5:00-6:00 p.m at Schoenberg Hall, located at 445 Charles E Young Dr E (between Dickson Ct and Westholme Ave), Los Angeles. The event is closed to the public and press check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. The event will be livestreamed on The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music website.
“It’s great he’s being recognized for such amazing work he’s done here in LA and for the community,” Gonzalez added.
Some previous recipients of the UCLA Medal are Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Gehry, Carol Burnett, Toni Morrison, Quincy Jones, and President Jimmy Carter.
Officially known in short as LA Phil, the organization showcases performances, media initiatives and learning programs that’s influence brings communities together in Los Angeles and beyond. The Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra is the foundation of the LA Phil’s offerings, which display multi-genre, multidisciplinary presenting program and youth development programs as Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA).
Led by Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, the internationally renowned orchestra harnesses the transformative power of live music to build community, foster intellectual and artistic growth, and nurture the creative spirit.
During the ceremony, Dudamel will conduct a rehearsal of Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 8, one of the most well-known orchestral compositions in Mexican history composed in the 20th century and influenced by the Cuban dance style danzón. The rehearsal will include musicians from UCLA Philharmonia, the flagship orchestra of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, and YOLA, which presently provides instruction to about 1,700 young musicians from over 200 Los Angeles County schools.
“Kids of different backgrounds to see someone Hispanic hold such a prestigious award and conduct such a big orchestra. I think that’s very influential on not only musicians here, but just kids in general,” said Gonzalez speaking about the importance of the YOLA Program. “You know, you can see, ‘Oh if he can do it why can’t I?’”
Dudamel’s advocacy for the power of music to unite, heal, and inspire is global in scope. He was inspired by his transformative experience as a youth in Venezuela’s immersive musical training program, El Sistema, Dudamel, the LA Phil, and its community partners in 2007 founded Youth Orchestra Los Angeles.
Dudamel has also been a recipient of 3 Grammy awards as the leading music director for his musical performances.
Dudamel’s ability to expand music has led to him becoming an influential figure within the music industry, and the UCLA Medal is a significant addition to his long list of accolades.