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The American Music Research Center (AMRC) at CU Boulder is a unique hub for exploring and celebrating the diverse traditions of American music. Jointly housed in the College of Music and the University Libraries, the AMRC boasts the largest repository of archival collections on American music in the region, including scores, recordings, personal papers and artifacts documenting the nation’s musical heritage.

This year marks a new chapter for the AMRC with the appointment of Michael Uy as its director. An accomplished scholar, Uy is the author of a book on public and private arts funding and has published extensively in leading musicology journals. His distinguished career includes serving as the assistant dean at Harvard College from 2017 to 2023, along with earning numerous prestigious teaching awards.

American Music Research Center Director Michael Uy.

In a conversation with CU Boulder Today, Uy shared his vision for the AMRC, discussed upcoming initiatives and highlighted the opportunities and events in store for students under his leadership.

How does the AMRC decide which research projects and initiatives to pursue?

The AMRC selects its research projects and initiatives primarily through the guidance of the director, which is to say I have a lot of discretion which initiatives we pursue. However, these decisions are not made in isolation.

Each academic year, the director collaborates with a team of three to four graduate students specializing in historical musicology, ethnomusicology or related fields. This year, my approach has been to actively involve these graduate students in brainstorming and developing new initiatives for the center, fostering a collaborative environment where their insights and ideas help shape our programs moving forward.

We also have an advisory board made up of community members, donors and other faculty members at the College of Music and libraries, and they are another layer of decision-making and source of new ideas.

What new research areas or initiatives are on the horizon?

Looking ahead, the AMRC is exploring a variety of exciting research areas, including scholarship on Indigenous music practices and Colorado's rich musical heritage.

Indigenous music is a particularly vibrant focus, with projects ideas ranging from analyzing protest music to heavy metal within Indigenous communities. The center is also preparing for , a MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, in support of  the College of Music's McVey Lectureship. His visit will include interviews, student engagements and discussions surrounding Indigenous music.

Simultaneously, the AMRC is considering projects on Colorado’s musical traditions, from bluegrass and folk to the legacy of the iconic Caribou Ranch recording studio—where artists such as Chicago, Elton John and The Beach Boys recorded some of their most famous music.

These projects aim to generate accessible resources, such as study guides and bibliographies, to benefit both scholars and the general public. These efforts may also culminate in special issues of Americas: A Hemispheric Music Journal, the AMRC’s scholarly publication.

What initiatives do you hope to launch?

One of my key interests is exploring American systems of funding that musicians, scholars and artists operate within, particularly regarding public and private funding. This could potentially lead to a national conference or convening on the topic. Similarly, the AMRC could serve as a hub for discussions on Indigenous music-making as well as the Chicano/Latinx, African American and Asian American histories of music in Colorado.

At the same time, there’s important housekeeping work to be done within our archives. Currently, about 30% of our collections remain unprocessed and inaccessible. Addressing this is a medium-term goal that requires attention and resources. It’s not the most glamorous project, but it’s essential for ensuring these materials can support research and scholarship.

What are some standout collections housed in the AMRC archives?

The AMRC houses an array of eclectic collections. One special and unique collection is the Raging Grannies of Denver archive, which documents a group of older women who sang protest songs with a humorous twist. Active during the early 2000s, they reworked familiar tunes with satirical lyrics addressing political and environmental issues. Their archive includes photos, handwritten lyrics and recordings that showcase their spirited activism.

Another highlight is the Otis Taylor collection, recently donated by the legendary blues banjo artist himself. Plans are underway for a spring concert where Taylor will perform and lead a master class with students and faculty.

Additionally, the Dan Fong collection features an impressive array of photographs from iconic Colorado music events, including images of the Grateful Dead, John Denver and Chuck Berry. A spring exhibition of Fong’s work is also in the works.

Finally, the AMRC boasts the extensive Glenn Miller collection, comprising over 1,300 boxes of material. It includes personal treasures from the World War II bandleader, including his trombone from his days at CU Boulder, handwritten scores, letters and much more.

What ongoing initiatives are still happening?

One of the larger ongoing projects at the AMRC is the Pueblo Soundscapes initiative, which was originally spearheaded by my predecessor Susan Thomas. This project, nearing its conclusion, documents the music and culture of the city of Pueblo, Colorado, and the surrounding county.

Researchers interviewed community members and created a digital archive of oral histories and performances that will be accessible to the general public through the University of Colorado Libraries. The project, which also involved significant work by graduate students, is partnering with the Latino History Project and K-12 educators to develop educational curricula for primary and secondary school teachers. While this year will mark the end of the project, it lays the groundwork for new initiatives currently in development at the center.

How does the AMRC support the College of Music’s ‘universal musician’ approach to its mission?

The AMRC plays a pivotal role in supporting the College of Music’s universal musician approach by equipping students with the knowledge and tools to deeply understand the histories of the music they perform and to explore new musical horizons. Through its extensive archival collections, the AMRC provides a treasure trove of materials for students to explore. They have opportunities to study, interpret and play new music, fostering skills that will serve them throughout their careers.

The AMRC enhances students’ educational experience with opportunities to program, perform and engage with diverse works. This integration of research, performance and programming is a distinctive feature of the AMRC, offering CU Boulder students a unique and invaluable resource that prepares them to excel as versatile and informed musicians—an approach rarely matched by other music schools or colleges nationwide.