June 5th, 2007
Bourland appointed Chair of UCLA Music Department
UCLA School of the Arts Dean Christopher Waterman will be recommending to Executive Vice Chancellor Scott Waugh that Professor Roger Bourland be appointed as Chair of the UCLA Department of Music effective July 1, 2007.
That would be me.
So assuming there are no skeletons I’ve left dangling in some closet around campus, my life is about to change a lot starting July 1. The job is renewable annually and is normally a 3-year appointment. This is something I’ve always wanted to do for a while. I figure three years is a good period of time; I’ll learn a lot, probably write a bit less music during that time, but in the course of my life, spending three years guiding this ship and helping facilitate a few new exciting projects will be truly worthwhile.
I’ll have to behave myself on this blog, being a representative of our department, but I hope to start another music blog that chronicles our department’s progress in some new exciting directions, leaving this blog UCLA-free.
Friends are concerned about my spending less time composing or blogging. We’ll see what happens. Nothing is forever.
June 5th, 2007 at 7:02 am
Congratulations Roger!
Just reading about your improvisation class ideas seems like you can offer alot in this position. Wish you good luck. Also, thank you for answering my choral question. I have to find Schoenberg’s “Survivor from Warsaw.”
My listening recommendation for you (if you don’t have already)
Handel’s oratorio “Saul” done by Rene Jacobs. Sooo many great orchestral effects, excellent musical writing and great dramatic balance.
June 5th, 2007 at 7:16 am
Congratulations! We’re very proud.
Mom and Dad
June 5th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Hi Roger,
Big Congratulations! As a former student, I always thought you were the best professor I ever had (I still believe that to this day).
This is a much-deserved promotion for you and I have no doubt that your performance will be nothing but top-notch.
much love & regards, Tino
June 5th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Kewllllio! Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy, and a couple more bucks too I believe. In the future I can say I’m hangin’ with the Chair…
A funny story that bears upon getting a chairmanship, from the astrophysicist John Bahcall, about the different penalties in academe for a published blunder, will have to wait for a bit more time (and I’ll try to find the exact quote).
June 5th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
No, you are way too hip to be a chair, or I am growing squarer (I like dat word!… must be my diet). May you find it fulfilling, as your former students find your teaching to be (the greatest gift).
Warm thoughts from Paris.