Herb Alpert and his wife, Lani Hall, have given millions of dollars to help students study music, including a $30 million gift to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in 2007 and a $10.1 million donation to Los Angeles City College (LACC) in 2016 that made tuition free for music majors.
Through the Herb Alpert Foundation, the couple has supported music programs, student scholarships and better learning spaces. Their donations have helped students gain access to music education and prepare for careers in music without facing the same financial barriers.
The 2007 gift helped establish the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, bringing different music departments together under one school. Nine years later, the foundation’s donation to LACC created an endowment designed to cover tuition and provide additional support for music students for years to come.
Musician and artist Herb Alpert, with wife musician Lani Hall Alpert, at the party in Bryant Park, Manhattan, for the opening of the installation of his “Spiritual Totems.”Photo by Brian Ach/WireImage for Jensen Communications
Both gifts reflect Alpert’s long-standing belief in the value of music education. The award-winning trumpeter has spoken about how learning to play an instrument as a child shaped his life and inspired him to help other young musicians.
In November 2007, UCLA announced the creation of the Herb Alpert School of Music following a $30 million donation from Alpert and his wife through their foundation, according to NPR.
The gift brought UCLA’s music departments together to create a school focused on music performance and study across different cultures and traditions. It also gave the university resources to expand its programs and provide more support for students.
Alpert, known for leading Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass and co-founding A&M Records with Jerry Moss, built a successful career as a musician and music executive. His work earned him nine Grammy Awards, and his recordings reached the top of major music charts.
His support for UCLA continued after the original donation. Over time, additional gifts and income from the endowment helped the school grow its programs, improve its facilities and award scholarships.
According to UCLA, the Alperts’ support has generated more than $10 million in scholarships. That funding has helped 793 students attend the school and pursue their musical goals.
The school has also expanded its academic offerings. Its Global Jazz Studies major, introduced in 2018, allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree in jazz. A Music Industry degree program was also planned to give students a path toward careers in the business side of music.
The foundation has helped improve the school’s learning spaces, too. A $3 million gift supported renovations to Lani Hall, which was renamed in honor of Alpert’s wife in 2019. In 2022, the foundation committed another $5 million to renovate 46 practice rooms with improved acoustics, modern lighting and wired Wi-Fi.
These investments have helped UCLA offer students more opportunities to study, practice and prepare for professional work.
In 2016, the Herb Alpert Foundation announced a $10.1 million gift to Los Angeles City College. The donation established an endowment intended to provide free tuition, private lessons and other financial support for music majors.
The gift was especially important for students who faced financial challenges while trying to earn a music degree. It covered students in two-year certificate programs as well as those in applied music programs designed to prepare them for further study at a four-year college.
At the time of the announcement, LACC had about 175 music majors, Billboard said. The funding was designed to support growth to about 250 music majors, while also benefiting other students taking music classes.
The donation was reported as the largest gift ever made to a community college in Southern California. It also stood out because community colleges often received a small share of donations to higher education, despite serving many students preparing for work and further study.
Alpert explained that the cost of attending major universities can make college difficult for families with limited money. He wanted to help students who could benefit from a strong music program but might not be able to afford it.
“I love that LACC has helped so many low income students who have financial challenges but have a strong commitment to education and to self-improvement,” said Herb Alpert, according to American Songwriter.
Alpert has traced his interest in music education to an experience in elementary school. At eight years old, he joined a music appreciation class at Melrose Elementary School in Los Angeles and found a trumpet among the instruments available to students.
He later explained that playing the trumpet helped him express himself when he was shy. That early experience stayed with him and shaped his view of music as an important part of education and society.
In discussing UCLA’s school, Alpert said, “Ever since discovering the trumpet in my elementary school music appreciation class, I have understood the transformational power of music in education and the importance of music to the fabric of society.”
His wife, Lani Hall, has shared in the couple’s commitment to the arts. Through the Herb Alpert Foundation, their giving has supported music education and other programs connected to the arts, compassion and well-being.
The foundation’s work extends beyond UCLA and LACC. Its other contributions have supported arts education and student programs at institutions including the Harlem School of the Arts and the California Institute of the Arts.
For UCLA and Los Angeles City College, the donations created resources for students who want to develop their musical skills and pursue professional opportunities. The gifts have also supported scholarships, teaching programs and facilities designed to help students learn and perform.
Related: Sylvia Bloom worked at one Wall Street law firm from 1947 to 2016 and lived in a rent-controlled apartment; her will gave $6.24 million to the Henry Street Settlement
Hence then, the article about herb alpert and his wife gave ucla 30 million in 2007 to endow a school of music in 2016 his foundation made music majors at los angeles city college tuition free with 10 1 million was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Herb Alpert and his wife gave UCLA $30 million in 2007 to endow a school of music; in 2016 his foundation made music majors at Los Angeles City College tuition-free with $10.1 million )
Also on site :
- Kylie Jenner’s ‘Beauty-From-Within’ Line Expands To This Superstore After Recent Target Launch
- Here’s How Greta Gerwig Got Led Zeppelin to Say Yes to Using ‘Stairway to Heaven’ in ‘Narnia’ Trailer
- Walmart’s ‘Beautiful’ 8-Piece Reversible Paisley Comforter Set Delivers Warmth and Vintage Charm, Now Over 70% Off