Next Generation
A look at the night six young Boston-area musicians found their way to Berklee.
By Sarah Murphy
Berklee.edu Correspondent
October 1, 2003
Pop divas-in-training and future jazz lions were in abundance at the Berklee Performance Center on August 7, as teens from the Berklee City Music program performed in the 10th annual City Music Blowout Concert. After five weeks of intense study at the college, as recipients of the Summer Youth Scholarships for Talent and Excellence in Music (SYSTEM 5), these gifted high schoolers got the chance to show off their newly acquired skills before a packed house of proud family, friends, and teachers.
The City Music Blowout Concert affords local urban teens—most of whom attend high schools with underfunded or nonexistent music programs—a unique performance opportunity in a professional-grade concert hall. Whether singing and dancing to tunes by Beyoncé and Christina or joining a big band on classics by Miles Davis, these talented students rose to the occasion, turning in the performances of their lives—so far. And for many, including six who were awarded full-tuition scholarships to attend Berklee as full-time college students, the night was just a taste of the musical opportunities that lie ahead.
The annual Blowout Concert is the high point of the Berklee City Music program, which provides deserving Boston-area high school students with a music education at no charge. This is accomplished by the SYSTEM 5 summer session, as well as an after-school and weekend mentoring program staffed by Berklee student and faculty volunteers. This year, 50 students from Boston-area public schools participated.
Upon successfully completing SYSTEM 5, the program's most outstanding students are eligible for scholarships to attend Berklee full time. During this year's Blowout Concert, full-tuition, four-year scholarships were awarded to percussionist Michael Bonilla of Dorchester, vocalist Troy Durden of Dorchester, clarinetist/saxophonist Alex Huth of Somerville, vocalist Kendy John of Roslindale, guitarist William Junior of Mattapan, and vocalist Erin Lyder of Dorchester.
The concert also included a special tribute to President Lee Eliot Berk, who will be retiring next June after 38 years of service to the college, 25 as president. Berk was instrumental in creating the City Music program and has diligently supported it during his tenure. Since Berk helped found the program in 1991, Berklee City Music has provided educational and mentoring opportunities to hundreds of young musicians from Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Chelsea, Lynn, and other local urban areas.
In recognition of President Berk's invaluable contribution to the education of Boston's youth, Mayor Thomas M. Menino's office issued a proclamation declaring August 7, 2003, Lee Berk Day in the city of Boston.
Click here to view a photo gallery of City Music Blowout Concert.
Sarah Murphy is a publicist in the Office of Public Information.
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