News Summary
Universal Music Group and UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music have introduced the Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship to honor music legend Berry Gordy. This initiative aims to foster new talent in the music industry by providing financial support to students enrolled in UCLA’s music industry program. Each year, one student will receive the scholarship, with opportunities for renewal based on financial need. The initiative reflects UMG’s ongoing commitment to enhancing education and supporting aspiring music creators, celebrating Gordy’s legacy and impact on artistry in music.
Los Angeles, CA – Universal Music Group (UMG) and the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA have announced the creation of the Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship to honor Motown legend Berry Gordy. This scholarship is part of a broader partnership between UMG and UCLA aimed at fostering new talent in the music industry. The announcement was made on Monday, underscoring a commitment to supporting aspiring music creators.
The Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship will benefit students enrolled in UCLA’s music industry program, assisting with their educational expenses such as tuition and housing. Each year, one student will be awarded the title of Berry Gordy Scholar, providing them with crucial financial support as they pursue their academic and career goals in music. Furthermore, recipients may have the opportunity to renew the scholarship for consecutive years based on their financial needs.
The selection process for the scholarship will be overseen by the director of the Berry Gordy Music Industry Center, which itself was established with a generous $5 million contribution from Gordy in May 2023. The occurrence of this scholarship announcement signals UMG’s continued investment in education and its role in shaping the future of the music industry.
UMG’s chairman and CEO emphasized that the scholarship’s purpose is to invest in a new generation of music creators and industry changemakers. This initiative is part of UMG’s broader commitment to honor Gordy’s enduring impact on artistry and the transformational power of music over the last 65 years.
Berry Gordy himself expressed enthusiasm for UMG’s commitment to the scholarship program. He remarked on the potential for the initiative to open significant doors for students aspiring to enter the music industry, highlighting the importance of educational opportunities in shaping tomorrow’s artists.
According to Robert Fink, acting dean of the Herb Alpert School of Music, the partnership with UMG reflects a shared belief in the importance of increasing access to education and professional training designed to transform the music industry for future generations.
The scholarship is also an integral part of UMG’s “Sounds of the Future” initiative, which aims to amplify Black creativity and preserve cultural heritage within the music industry. This campaign focuses on promoting equity and investing in community-led programs related to Black music while also supporting nonprofit organizations like Roots of Music and Girls Make Beats.
In conjunction with this initiative, UMG has also embarked on various projects that include immersive art installations and curated playlists celebrating Black music and culture, further cementing its commitment to diversity in the industry.
The Berry Gordy Music Industry Center, located at UCLA, is dedicated to advancing research, teaching, and support concerning the evolving global music business. By establishing this center and scholarship, UMG and UCLA aim to foster a new generation that will positively influence musical landscapes and cultural expressions.
As the music industry continues to evolve, the creation of the Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship marks a significant step towards nurturing future talent and ensuring that the legacies of music legends like Gordy continue to inspire and empower up-and-coming artists.
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Additional Resources
- Hollywood Reporter
- Wikipedia: Berry Gordy
- uDiscover Music
- Google Search: Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship
- Billboard
- Google Scholar: Berry Gordy UCLA Scholarship
- Celebrity Access
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Music Industry
