USC Friends of Armenian Music

According to USC Thornton School of Music instructor Lucina Agbabian Hubbard, "Introduction to Armenian Music," a two-unit lecture course is the only full semester course offered on the university level outside of Armenia. She will be teaching the class open to all students, beginning Jan. 13, 2004.

"No textbook is required nor a musical background or performance ability essential," Hubbard states. "Students will have the opportunity to discover Armenian music as a new source for their listening pleasure. They will become acquainted with one of the oldest living musical cultures in the eastern world, yet one which during the past two centuries has closely interacted with musical advances of the western world."

USC Friends of Armenian Music, founded in 1979 by the late Grant Beglarian, Dean of Music at USC from 1962 to 1982, continues to support the music courses offered in addition to granting scholarships to Armenian students and promoting the Armenian music collection housed in the USC Doheny Library.

Over the years, the USC Friends has sponsored a "Day on the USC Campus" for high school students from the various Armenian schools in the Los Angeles area. A concert in Newman Recital Hall is scheduled for noon on Jan. 30. USC Friends Board member, Sonia Akian, is chairperson of the event. For those interested in signing up for the two-unit lecture course that meets once a week for two hours on Tuesdays at 2 p.m., contact Hubbard by phone, (310) 472-4510 or e-mail, lhubbard@usc.edu.