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The American Music Research Center (AMRC) had a bustling year. With the introduction of a new director, Michael Uy, came new events, collaborations and opportunities to leverage our varied archives.

The AMRC, jointly housed by the CU Boulder College of Music and University Libraries, has an archive collection full of musical memorabilia; collection highlights include silent film music, big band artifacts and Colorado-specific research and manuscripts.

Friedel leads an archive tour as part of the AMRC's spring Open House.

In February, the AMRC opened its doors to curious members of our community: Our Open House attendees were treated to a range of archival materials as well as a guided tour through the stacks to see where the collections are held. Megan K. Friedel, head of collections management and stewardship for the libraries’ Rare and Distinctive Collections (RaD), and A. R. Flynn, project archivist for the Glenn Miller Collection, helped organize the event and curate the selection of materials.

“The event that had the most significant impact on me was our Open House,” reflects Uy. “The initial idea was Josie Moe's—as administrative and student services assistant for the College of Music, she noted that staff, faculty and students wanted more opportunities to see what was in the AMRC collections. With professors Friedel and Flynn, we were able to bring out Glenn Miller's trombone, original and sketch scores by Dave Grusin and music compositions by Carrie B. H. Collins.”

The Open House welcomed the AMRC’s local community members to get up close and personal with the archives and how the center utilizes them, which also sparked interest in more hands-on events in the future.

Later in the spring semester, two events highlighted local artists who have collections in the AMRC: Blues legend Otis Taylor held a master class and rock ‘n’ roll photographer Dan Fong (Mktg. ’70) helped host a photo exhibit.

Dan Fong exhibit.

Taylor’s master class offered College of Music students the special opportunity to play with Taylor and receive feedback. The class was followed by a concert bringing together Taylor and other musicians to showcase his musical portfolio. includes tour posters, photos, recordings and drafts of lyrics.

Fong’s photo exhibit—held in the AMRC offices in Macky Auditorium—featured over 30 photos representing Fong’s career and spotlighting musical talents and historical figures ranging from Joni Mitchell to President Eisenhower.

“While many of our events this year were tailored to the Boulder community and CU Boulder students, faculty and staff, our Dan Fong exhibit brought in attendees from as far away as Fargo, North Dakota! It was a long drive for the Fong fan, but he saw some never-before-exhibited photos,” Uy shares.

Additionally, the AMRC awarded two Alex Craig Living Music Awards, co-sponsored the College of Music’s annual Persevering Legacy event and launched a new series—“Gems of the AMRC collections”—highlighting the breadth and depth of our individual collections.

Plans are underway for more residencies and concerts in AY2025-26. “The possibilities are endless,” says Uy. “We already have a scheduled residency with Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist Tauheed Rahim, as well as a lecture and concert on Queen Lili'uokalani's music, found in the AMRC collections.

“Watch for programming and publications related to Indigenous music sovereignty, federal arts funding in the Trump era and more.”

Thanks for supporting the AMRC this academic year and stay tuned for more details on upcoming programming!