Berklee's Response to Hurricane Katrina

Berklee is responding—in all of the ways we can, as a community—to the fallout of Hurricane Katrina's destructive path through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The devastation, particularly to New Orleans, cradle of American popular music, is of unimaginable proportions. More than 1,800 people died in Katrina's wake, and according to the National Hurricane Center, Katrina was the costliest natural disaster of all time, causing damage in excess of $80 billion, so the need for financial assistance will extend far beyond the initial aftermath.

During the 2005–06 academic year, Berklee raised money for New Orleans-based artists and funded trips to Boston for several musicians—including Meters bassist George Porter Jr. and saxophonist Donald Harrison—to give Berklee students opportunities to learn about essential American music from some of the masters. Musicians have traveled to Berklee from around the world to study contemporary music—including styles emblematic of New Orleans, like jazz, r&b, funk, and soul—and now we are working harder than ever to make sure our students understand the critical role the Crescent City has played in creating the culture of the United States and contemporary society in general.

	The New Orleans Visiting Artist Series During the 2005–06 academic year, Berklee brought musicians from the birthplace of jazz to America's first college of jazz for teaching residencies and performances. Pianist Henry Butler (left) was the first visiting artist, and he was following during the fall of 2005 by Donald Harrison, Ellis Marsalis, Marva Wright, George Porter, Jr., and others.
	Other Ways to Help Donate with other groups who are helping musicians and others who have been affected by Katrina and the aftermath.

Berklee is also working to help students who were displaced by this tragedy. We received many applications from music students who were bound for New Orleans-area institutions of higher learning, some of which did not open last fall. Considering their immensely difficult circumstances, our Admissions team elected to consider and accept some of these students, to the extent possible.

We are investigating other ways we can be of help, particularly to the music community, so please share your suggestions of ways to help affected musicians and others in the region.