Music School Honors Prominent Ethnomusicology Professor A.J. Racy in Celebration
A.J. Racy Bids Farewell to UCLA After a Distinguished 40+ Year Career
After a remarkable 43-year tenure at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), A.J. Racy, a renowned ethnomusicologist, performer, composer, and author, is set to retire from the School of Music.
Racy, who has been a source of inspiration for many, is respected for his mastery of multiple traditional instruments, including the nay and buzuq. His passion for world music and its related cultural theory has led him to delve into various musical traditions and practices as a musician-composer and multi-instrumentalist.
Throughout his career, Racy has been influenced by great teachers and thinkers, such as the late Professor Bruno Nettl. His commitment to the promotion of human values, as quoted by the Dalai Lama, is evident in his work. Values like compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment, and self-discipline are values that Racy holds dear.
Racy's contributions to ethnomusicology extend beyond the classroom. He has covered the history and changing orientations of ethnomusicology theory in his teaching, inspiring countless students to pursue careers in the field.
In retirement, Racy intends to continue his research, writing, and publishing endeavors. He also plans to work on his life history or autobiography, providing a personal account of his journey in the world of music.
Despite his retirement, Racy may continue to give nay lessons at the week-long summer Arabic Music Retreat. The School of Music has also established the A.J. Racy Scholarship in Ethnomusicology to support students, ensuring that Racy's legacy continues to thrive.
Racy's accomplishments are not limited to academia. He has performed live with renowned artists such as Kenny Burrell and Shujaat Khan at the Strings and Soul concert at UCLA. His piece "Ecstasy" was recorded by the Kronos Quartet on their CD "Kronos Caravan."
One of Racy's most notable works is his award-winning book, "Making Music in the Arab World: The Culture and Artistry of Tarab," which won the prestigious British Kuwait Friendship Society Book Prize for the best book on the Middle East for 2004.
In his leisure time, Racy looks forward to spending vacations with his family in their summer home on the coast of Maine. He has also expressed his eagerness for joint projects with his wife, Dr. Barbara Racy.
As Racy prepares to embark on a new chapter of his life, his impact on the world of ethnomusicology and beyond is undeniable. His dedication, passion, and commitment to his craft will continue to inspire generations to come.
Racy's retirement from UCLA marks a new phase in his lifestyle, one that would incorporate more education-and-self-development activities, such as writing his life history and collaboration with his wife on joint projects. The A.J. Racy Scholarship in Ethnomusicology, established by the School of Music, is a testament to his enduring legacy and impact on the field of ethnomusicology, a field emphasizing education-and-self-development, where Racy has spent four decades nurturing a new generation of scholars.
