This past week, as Brandeis celebrated the 73rd year of the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts, campus was transformed into a venue for all forms of artistic expression with a captivating array of performances and events that swept through every corner. One of the defining features of Brandeis is the incredible faculty and their work. This shines through in performances and events that celebrate the creativity and talent of Brandeis staff, one of which is Music at Mandel’s Roots Music with Taylor Ackley and Friends.

Music at Mandel is an ongoing performance series at Brandeis, operating year round outside of the Festival of the Creative Arts. A collaboration between Brandeis’ Department of Music and the Mandel Center for the Humanities, the series periodically hosts free concerts open to the public, celebrating Brandeis faculty performers across a wide range of genres — from classical and jazz to Prof. Taylor Ackley’s (MUS) specialty: blues and roots music. 

For his April 23 performance, Ackley was joined by his “friends” — some of his favorite bluegrass performers from the greater Boston area — for a lively set featuring Roots, Bluegrass and American Folk songs. Academically, Ackley is focused on analyzing the history of American Folk and Roots music, specifically as it relates to the experiences of working class individuals. Thus, his academic pursuits were interwoven with his creative ones, creating an afternoon of beautiful music and fascinating analysis. 

Ackley opened the afternoon with a lively yet sultry introduction on the mandolin. From there, the audience was treated to a variety of songs played on everything ranging from the banjo to the fiddle, including a bluegrass cover of the classic Beatles tune “Paperback Writer.” Over the course of the hour, each performer had the opportunity to have a solo on their respective instruments. The audience hung on every note, ending the afternoon with enthusiastic applause and heartfelt appreciation for the music shared.

It was an incredibly enjoyable event and a clear testament to the true talent within the Brandeis community. Yet even as the performance celebrated the artistry of Brandeis faculty, it also served as a poignant reminder of what may soon be lost. Despite his contributions to both the academic and creative life of the University, Ackley’s contract has not been renewed beyond 2025, and ongoing cuts to arts funding cast a shadow over the future of creative arts programs throughout the University. The contrast between the vibrancy of the afternoon and the uncertainty ahead underscores the urgency of supporting the arts at Brandeis. As the festival’s theme stated, “Art Lives On” at the University, not just in celebration, but in sustained commitment.