Celebrate
Where Music Brings Us Together
From campus events to international collaborations, our initiatives highlight music’s role in sparking creativity, building community and driving meaningful change. Check back regularly for information about our local and global events, news and updates on how we’re amplifying the power of music to make a difference.
Events
Explore our upcoming and past events to see how the Glasser Center brings people together through powerful experiences that celebrate music’s role in connection, learning and change.
10/03/2026
Concert & Convo on Mental Health
Concert & Convo brought a live musical performance and guided conversation to the Power of Music class, using music and lived experience to destigmatize mental health challenges, foster open dialogue, and inspire connection and resilience among college students.
02/02/2026
Sing Sing Film Screening
A co-sponsored film screening was followed by a panel discussion exploring the transformative impact of the arts. Moderated by Dr. Elizabeth Cauffman, the panel featured Sing Sing cast member Sean “Dino” Johnson, student researchers, esteemed faculty, and individuals with lived experience in California prisons, fostering a meaningful and thought-provoking conversation.
28/01/2026
A Just Transition for Whom? Insights on Building an Equitable Energy Transition
Dr. Mijin Cha explored how a justice-centered “just transition” can drive a rapid transition away from fossil fuels while delivering shared benefits for workers and communities.
31/01/2026
Street Fight: How Cities Battle Climate, Housing, and Inequality
Dr. Daniel Cohen shared insights on how grassroots housing movements are reshaping urban climate policy and why green social housing may determine the future of climate justice in cities.
07/01/2026
A Warm Start to the New Year
The Winter Welcome Gathering brought faculty, staff, partners, students, and scholars together in celebration of the new year and shared community.
01/05/2025
Breaking into the Music Industry Conference
Over two and a half unforgettable days, the Glasser Center sponsored students to connect with top executives, renowned artists, and industry insiders. Guest speakers Alec Glasser and Dr. Richard Matthew inspired attendees to elevate their careers.
01/04/2025
Annual Fundraiser
In an unforgettable celebration of music, The Drake Gives Annual Fundraiser raised essential support to back music education in Orange County’s underserved public schools.
READ MORE
01/02/2025
Mathew Knowles Talk
Entrepreneur, marketing expert, and record producer Mathew Knowles shared insights on success in a conversation with Professor Richard Matthew as part of UC Irvine’s inaugural Power of Music and Social Change class.
01/02/2025
Student Showcase
In partnership with the Save The Music Foundation, The Drake Gives hosted a vibrant community-wide student showcase at Katella High School in Anaheim, CA to celebrate the impact of arts education on over 15,000 students in underserved Orange County schools.
01/01/2025
Alec’s Endowment Gift
An impactful donation from OC philanthropist and businessman Alec Glasser supports the visionary School of Social Ecology initiative, ensuring the future of the Alec Glasser Center for the Power of Music and Social Change.
01/10/2024
Regents Point Performances
The concert series at Regents Point Senior Living showcased talented UC Irvine student musicians, fostering community connections, uplifting residents’ spirits, and celebrating the joy of music.
01/08/2024
Samueli Academy Launch
The Alec Glasser Center for the Power of Music & Social Change has partnered with Playing for Change Foundation to expand access to music education at the Samueli Academy in Santa Ana, CA.
10/03/2026
Concert & Convo on Mental Health
Concert & Convo brought a live musical performance and guided conversation to the Power of Music class, using music and lived experience to destigmatize mental health challenges, foster open dialogue, and inspire connection and resilience among college students.
02/02/2026
Sing Sing Film Screening
A co-sponsored film screening was followed by a panel discussion exploring the transformative impact of the arts. Moderated by Dr. Elizabeth Cauffman, the panel featured Sing Sing cast member Sean “Dino” Johnson, student researchers, esteemed faculty, and individuals with lived experience in California prisons, fostering a meaningful and thought-provoking conversation.
28/01/2026
A Just Transition for Whom? Insights on Building an Equitable Energy Transition
Dr. Mijin Cha explored how a justice-centered “just transition” can drive a rapid transition away from fossil fuels while delivering shared benefits for workers and communities.
31/01/2026
Street Fight: How Cities Battle Climate, Housing, and Inequality
Dr. Daniel Cohen shared insights on how grassroots housing movements are reshaping urban climate policy and why green social housing may determine the future of climate justice in cities.
07/01/2026
A Warm Start to the New Year
The Winter Welcome Gathering brought faculty, staff, partners, students, and scholars together in celebration of the new year and shared community.
01/05/2025
Breaking into the Music Industry Conference
Over two and a half unforgettable days, the Glasser Center sponsored students to connect with top executives, renowned artists, and industry insiders. Guest speakers Alec Glasser and Dr. Richard Matthew inspired attendees to elevate their careers.
01/04/2025
Annual Fundraiser
In an unforgettable celebration of music, The Drake Gives Annual Fundraiser raised essential support to back music education in Orange County’s underserved public schools.
READ MORE01/02/2025
Mathew Knowles Talk
Entrepreneur, marketing expert, and record producer Mathew Knowles shared insights on success in a conversation with Professor Richard Matthew as part of UC Irvine’s inaugural Power of Music and Social Change class.
01/02/2025
Student Showcase
In partnership with the Save The Music Foundation, The Drake Gives hosted a vibrant community-wide student showcase at Katella High School in Anaheim, CA to celebrate the impact of arts education on over 15,000 students in underserved Orange County schools.
01/01/2025
Alec’s Endowment Gift
An impactful donation from OC philanthropist and businessman Alec Glasser supports the visionary School of Social Ecology initiative, ensuring the future of the Alec Glasser Center for the Power of Music and Social Change.
01/10/2024
Regents Point Performances
The concert series at Regents Point Senior Living showcased talented UC Irvine student musicians, fostering community connections, uplifting residents’ spirits, and celebrating the joy of music.
01/08/2024
Samueli Academy Launch
The Alec Glasser Center for the Power of Music & Social Change has partnered with Playing for Change Foundation to expand access to music education at the Samueli Academy in Santa Ana, CA.
Latest News
Stay up to date with the latest news, stories and announcements from the Glasser Center as we continue to expand music’s impact.
Alec is recognized for his contributions to OC's business and philanthropic landscape, driven by his commitment to expanding music education and supporting community initiatives., 01/11/2025
Alec Glasser Named to Orange County Business Journal’s OC 500
LEARN MORE
Esteemed faculty affiliate Charis Kubrin is commended for her influential criminology research, advancing crime reduction efforts and strengthening human rights., 01/11/2025
Charis Kubrin Honored with the 2026 Stockholm Prize in Criminology
LEARN MORE
Orange County Register, 13/01/2025
For Alec Glasser, endowing new UCI center on the ‘power of music’ is personal
LEARN MORE
Kakuma Sound News, 16/07/2024
Roskilde Festival Huge Success! KS now an int’l force to be reckoned with
LEARN MORE
Central OC Times, 13/01/2025
Alec Glasser donates significantly to fund UC Irvine’s new music-focused center
LEARN MORE
Newport Beach Independent Newspaper, 22/01/2025
Drake Gives Founder Provides Major Gift to Endow Center for the Power of Music
LEARN MORE
Alec is recognized for his contributions to OC’s business and philanthropic landscape, driven by his commitment to expanding music education and supporting community initiatives. , 01/11/2025
Alec Glasser Named to Orange County Business Journal’s OC 500
LEARN MOREEsteemed faculty affiliate Charis Kubrin is commended for her influential criminology research, advancing crime reduction efforts and strengthening human rights. , 01/11/2025
Charis Kubrin Honored with the 2026 Stockholm Prize in Criminology
LEARN MORE
Orange County Register , 13/01/2025
For Alec Glasser, endowing new UCI center on the ‘power of music’ is personal
LEARN MORE
Kakuma Sound News , 16/07/2024
Roskilde Festival Huge Success! KS now an int’l force to be reckoned with
LEARN MORE
Central OC Times , 13/01/2025
Alec Glasser donates significantly to fund UC Irvine’s new music-focused center
LEARN MORENewport Beach Independent Newspaper , 22/01/2025
Drake Gives Founder Provides Major Gift to Endow Center for the Power of Music
LEARN MORE
Get Involved
Join us in harnessing the power of music to create meaningful change through learning, research, community engagement or celebration. There’s a place for everyone to make an impact.
