Musical Institution Honors Notable Ethnomusicology Specialist, A.J. Racy
After a 40-year career at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Music, internationally acclaimed performer, composer, and author A.J. Racy is stepping into retirement. However, this is not the end of his musical journey, but rather a new chapter in his life.
A.J. Racy, a master of multiple traditional instruments such as the nay and buzuq, has made significant contributions to the world of music. His composition "Ecstasy" was recorded by the renowned Kronos Quartet, and his book, "Making Music in the Arab World: The Culture and Artistry of Tarab" (Cambridge University Press, 2003), won the prestigious British Kuwait Friendship Society Book Prize for the best book on the Middle East for 2004.
Throughout his career, Racy has taken pride in seeing his students establish their own careers, particularly in the field of ethnomusicology. He was inspired to become an ethnomusicologist by great teachers and thinkers, such as the late Professor Bruno Nettl. The A.J. Racy Scholarship in Ethnomusicology has been established at the School of Music to support students in his honour.
Racy's retirement does not signal a departure from music entirely. He plans to continue giving lessons on the nay at the week-long summer Arabic Music Retreat. Moreover, he looks forward to joint projects with his wife, Dr. Barbara Racy, a fellow scholar, in retirement.
Racy quotes the Dalai Lama's words about promoting human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment, and self-discipline. In line with these values, he takes great satisfaction in seeing his students succeed. He is particularly pleased to see them apply the principles of ethnomusicology, which combines the study of world music with related cultural theory, in their own careers.
As he embarks on this new phase of his life, Racy also plans to work on his life history or autobiography. This project will undoubtedly provide insights into the life and career of one of the most influential figures in the field of ethnomusicology.
Racy's retirement concert at UCLA, where he has enjoyed working for 43 years, was a fitting send-off. He performed alongside legendary musicians Kenny Burrell and Shujaat Khan at the Strings and Soul concert, leaving the audience in awe of his talent and passion for music.
As Racy steps into retirement, he does so with a sense of accomplishment and excitement for what the future holds. His legacy in the world of music will continue to inspire future generations of musicians and scholars.
In his new chapter of life, A.J. Racy, a renowned music scholar, will continue to share his knowledge by offering lessons on traditional instruments and continuing work on his life history or autobiography. Aside from music, Racy remains passionate about promoting human values and is particularly pleased to see his students apply ethnomusicology principles in their careers, combining education-and-self-development with entertainment. His retirement concert, where he showcased his talent alongside legendary musicians, marked a fitting end to his 43-year career at UCLA, while his influence in the field of music and ethnomusicology will continue to shape lifestyle and education-and-self-development for future generations.
