College to audition aspiring musicians at fifth annual festival.

October 29, 2007

Next January, at the fifth annual Panama Jazz Festival—an event spearheaded by alumnus and faculty member Danilo Perez—Berklee will be playing a special role. In addition to releasing a Berklee-produced recording of Perez's Panama Suite, it will conduct admissions and scholarship auditions.

Proceeds from the CD sales at the January 2008 festival will benefit the Danilo Perez Foundation music education programs. Established by Perez, the foundation is dedicated to offering scholarships for music students; training for students and professionals; and musical and cultural activities for the general public to promote the art, education, and culture of his native Panama.

The most important of the endeavors produced by the foundation is the festival, which showcases world-renowned artists and provides dyamic educational programming to musicians from many countries in Central and South America. Berklee has historically been involved in the festival, offering clinics and master classes during the event for the past three years, but the auditions mark a new stage in the relationship.

Through its involvement in previous festival events, Berklee has identified many young talented musicians, including last year's exceptional Panamanian tenor player Jahaziel Arrocha, who earned a Presidential Scholarship.

Get your application in the scholarship section of our website.

Related links

• Panama Jazz Festival 2008
• Apply for a scholarship audition
• Danilo Perez's "Panama Suite" live on New Year's, on NPR broadcast
• Listen to the Concert (NPR Music archives)
• SDRB #12, the video podcast of Ruben Blades. In this episode he talks with Danilo Perez about his Jazz Festival, and tells the story of Jahaziel Arrocha. (part 1)
• SDRB #13, the video podcast of Ruben Blades. In part 2 of his conversation with Danilo, they talk about jazz bands featured in Ruben's Show including Natalie Fernandes, Zaccai and Luques Curtis from Berklee. (part 2)