Preserving the Vibrant Tapestry of Iranian Music: UCLA's Gramian-Emrani Center for Iranian Music

In a groundbreaking move, UCLA has announced the establishment of the Gramian-Emrani Center for Iranian Music, made possible by a $5 million pledge from Haleh Emrani. This new center will build upon the university's existing Iranian Music Program, which was launched in 2018 with the support of the Farhang Foundation. The center's mission is to deepen the research, study, and public appreciation of Iran's rich musical heritage, ensuring its continued vitality and relevance in the modern world.

Honoring a Legacy, Empowering the Future

Preserving the Passion of Ahmad Gramian

The Gramian-Emrani Center for Iranian Music is a testament to the enduring legacy of Ahmad Gramian, Haleh Emrani's late husband. Gramian, a lifelong supporter of the arts, was instrumental in establishing the Iranian Music Program at UCLA, championing the preservation and promotion of this ancient and vibrant musical tradition. Emrani's generous pledge ensures that Gramian's vision will continue to inspire and shape the future of Iranian music education and performance.

Expanding the Reach of Iranian Music

The new center will serve as a hub for scholarly research, teaching, and public programming, providing invaluable support for the next generation of artists and scholars. By collaborating with the school's world-renowned Ethnomusicology Archive and drawing on the expertise of faculty across the university, the center will amplify the study and appreciation of Iranian music, both within the academic community and the broader public.

Fostering Cultural Vitality and Community Engagement

Los Angeles, home to one of the largest Iranian immigrant populations in the country, will serve as the backdrop for the Gramian-Emrani Center's public programming. Emrani's commitment to maintaining a balance between scholarly research and active community engagement underscores the center's mission to bridge the past and present, allowing the cultural vitality of Iranian music to continue to thrive and evolve.

Strengthening UCLA's Commitment to Iranian Studies

The establishment of the Gramian-Emrani Center for Iranian Music further solidifies UCLA's position as a leading institution in the study of Iranian culture and heritage. Alongside the Pourdavoud Institute for the Study of the Iranian World and the Yarshater Center for the Study of Iranian Literary Traditions, this new center will contribute to a robust and multifaceted exploration of Iran's diverse artistic and intellectual traditions.

Empowering the Next Generation of Artists and Scholars

The center's programming will provide invaluable opportunities for graduate students in ethnomusicology, musicology, and music composition, allowing them to collaborate with faculty and engage with the rich tapestry of Iranian music. This investment in the next generation of artists and scholars will ensure the continued growth and evolution of this vibrant musical tradition.

Celebrating the Diversity and Universality of Iranian Music

Iranian music, with its deep roots and global influence, has always been a dynamic and multifaceted art form. The Gramian-Emrani Center for Iranian Music will celebrate this diversity, fostering a deeper understanding of how Iranian music has both preserved its unique identity and engaged in a continuous dialogue with other musical traditions. By highlighting the universal appeal and cultural significance of this art form, the center will inspire a new generation of listeners and performers.

Inaugural Celebration: A Vibrant Showcase of Iranian Music

The Gramian-Emrani Center for Iranian Music will launch with an inaugural celebration on October 20th, 2023, in Schoenberg Hall at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. This free public event will feature performances by renowned artists, including the Iranshahr Orchestra, the UCLA Iranian Ensemble, tanbouri and composer Kaykhosrous Pournazeri, and singer Sahar Borougjerdi. The celebration will also include remarks from donor Haleh Emrani, Richard Danielpour, the director of the new center and a distinguished professor at the school of music, and Shahab Paranj, the postdoctoral fellow in Iranian music.