Celebrating 40 Years of the Polish Music Center
By Mia Arevalo
The USC Polish Music Center dedicates an evening of music to Henryk Wars on its 40th anniversary.
On October 20th, USC’s Newman Recital Hall glows warmly, its soft lighting creating an inviting atmosphere as the audience filters in. Everyone gathered is dressed to impress–floral patterns and sharp suits mingle as conversations hum with excitement. On stage, the Thornton Art Deco Orchestra, a performance ensemble created especially for the evening, tunes their instruments. The occasional flourish of a trumpet or soft tap of drums adds to the anticipation. The room buzzes with a blend of elegance and joy, a prelude to the evening’s performance.
After the lights dim, the chatter hushes. Marek Zebrowski, director of the Polish Music Center (PMC), moonlights as the event’s emcee for the night. With an engaging mix of humor and insight, he introduces each arrangement, coloring the concert with rich historical context that enriches the music even deeper. Tonight is not just a performance but a tribute.
The evening was dedicated to Henryk Wars, one of Poland’s most renowned composers, whose work played a pivotal role in the development of Polish jazz and classical music. Wars, who was known for his work in both Poland and Hollywood, fused elements of jazz with classical styles in a way that was entirely unique. In the words of Marek, “when anybody mentions his name, he is immediately linked to popular songs that are still sung in Poland to this day.” The night was also a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the PMC, the evening’s sponsor and USC Thornton’s research center for Polish music.
The PMC holds a special distinction: it is home to manuscripts that have been officially recognized by UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” (MoW) program*, a designation that only a handful of American universities can claim. In fact, just this past summer, Marek traveled to Poland to accept the certificate marking this recognition. “This is an international recognition on the highest level,” Krysta Close, PMC’s assistant director, remarked. The honor, coinciding with the center’s milestone anniversary, was a testament to its vital role in preserving Polish musical heritage.
For the musicians themselves, the experience of performing Henryk Wars’ compositions was as enriching as it was unique. “I think it’s such a beautiful fusion of classical music with this early form of jazz–it’s very special,” said Brian Camarillo (BM ’25), an alto saxophonist in the Thornton Art Deco Orchestra. Brian admitted that he hadn’t had much exposure to Polish music before the concert, but the repertoire struck him for its distinct blend of jazz and classical influences.
As the musicians rehearsed, Brian described the camaraderie within the group. “We were just rehearsing these [arrangements] and trying to get them down as quickly as possible, trying to make it sound cohesive.” Yet, beyond the technicalities, it was evident that the musicians were excited to be part of a project that connected them with a rich cultural history.
This concert has left a lasting impact on Brian’s musical development. He laughed, acknowledging that it sparked a newfound curiosity about Polish music: “I’m definitely going to listen to some more Polish music now!”
Such a performance highlights the value of resources like the Polish Music Center, which serves as a vital hub for preserving and sharing Polish music and culture. The PMC, which houses the largest collection of its kind outside of Poland, offers an astounding wealth of scores, books, periodicals, and audio recordings, along with original manuscripts, personal items, and letters from some of the greatest figures in Polish musical history. For student musicians like Brian, the PMC is a valuable resource that allows them to explore not only Wars’ music but also the broader scope of Polish musical tradition. As Brian put it, “You should check every culture out.”
In many ways, the concert was also a reflection of the Polish Music Center’s future. Krysta emphasized that a key part of their mission is introducing new generations of musicians and scholars to Polish music. “We had pop students, we had classical students, we had jazz students, we even had some non-majors involved in the orchestra,” she noted. The result was an evening that celebrated not only the legacy of Henryk Wars but also the growing impact of the Polish Music Center – at USC and beyond.
Written by Mia Arevalo (27’), USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism student journalist on assignment for the USC Thornton Office of Communications. Photos by Krysta Close courtesy of the USC Polish Music Center.
*UNESCO’s MoW program was established in 1992 to safeguard and promote documentary heritage of global significance. Its goal is to preserve rare and valuable historical records that contribute to humanity’s collective memory, ensuring that they can remain accessible for future generations.
