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Berklee's Mission and Philosophy
Mission
The mission of Berklee College of Music
is to educate, train, and develop students to excel in music as a career.
Developing the musicianship of all our
students is the foundation of our curriculum. We believe that the lessons and qualities derived from that work - the self-discipline needed for excellence, the empathy required
of music making, and the openness and inquisitiveness essential to creativity - are critical to achievement in any pursuit, musical or otherwise; and that music is a powerful
catalyst for personal growth, which is central to any collegiate experience. Our comprehensive curriculum is distinctly contemporary in its content and approach, and covers the principal musical movements of our time. Through
a course of scholarly and practical learning experiences integrating performance and
writing, our curriculum covers the variety
of influential styles, relevant technologies, and career opportunities open to today's music professional.
Objectives
- To define and refine the individual talents
of our students by providing a broad range of major programs offered by a distinguished faculty, and to prepare them for careers in music that reflect the diversity of expression and opportunities that define music today.
- To enable our students to employ their musical education in a global society by providing a coherent liberal arts curriculum that informs their thinking about issues that have shaped our time.
- To encourage our students to appreciate and apply music's enormous force for the enrichment of society and intercultural understanding.
- To cultivate a supportive learning environment by actively promoting a climate of respect
for personal and cultural differences, and by offering a range of services and activities to support the needs of the student musicians who come to us from around the world.
- To maintain the vitality of our college community by encouraging and supporting continuing professional development for all of its members.
- To provide an environment in which all know that they are full and valued members of the community.
- To value ethical behavior in all aspects of personal and professional life by establishing
a community that values integrity in all
relationships.
- To retain our leadership position in music education and to ensure that our curriculum remains relevant by pledging to value academic freedom and innovation.
Philosophy
Berklee was founded on two revolutionary ideas: that musicianship could be taught through the music of the time; and that our
students need practical, professional skills
for successful, sustainable music careers. While our bedrock philosophy has not changed, the music around us has and requires that we evolve with it. For
over half a century, we've demonstrated
our commitment to this approach by
wholeheartedly embracing change. We
update our curriculum and technology to make them more relevant, and attract
diverse students who reflect the multiplicity
of influences in today's music. We prepare
our students for a lifetime of professional
and personal growth through the study of
the arts, sciences, and humanities. And we
are developing new initiatives to reach
and influence an ever-widening audience. More than a college, Berklee has become
the world's singular learning lab for the music
of today-and tomorrow. We are a microcosm
of the music world, reflecting the interplay between music and culture; an environment where aspiring music professionals learn
how to integrate new ideas, adapt to changing musical genres, and showcase their distinctive skills in an evolving community. We are at
the center of a widening network of industry
professionals who use their openness,
virtuosity, and versatility to take music in
surprising new directions.
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