News@Berklee.edu
December 2007 News@Berklee.edu

 
  Annie Clark '04
of St. Vincent
  photo by Nick Balkin

Berklee students and alumni showed their colors at the CMJ music conference in New York last month. Alumni wowed crowds across the city, and student performers gave stellar performances at shows for the student-run Heavy Rotation Records and Berklee Internet Radio Network (BIRN).

On campus, Berklee students got a variety of advice from the likes of Tower of Power bassist Rocco Prestia, folk legend Peggy Seeger, and smooth jazz crooner Bobby Caldwell. But now students don't have to be on campus to get advice about music, they can get it online—and so can you—with the Berkleemusic blog network. Scores of blogs by Berklee-affiliated writers take on every aspect of the music business.

Read on to learn how to celebrate the holidays right with shows throughout the month of December, including a New Year's Eve performance by Danilo Perez's Big Band on NPR's Toast of the Nation. Broadcast live from Berklee's David Friend Recital Hall, the concert will kick off the radio network's New Year's Eve program with a bang.

The Sovereign Bank Music Series at Berklee

The college's annual live music series returns, with lead sponsorship from Sovereign Bank. The 2007–2008 series promises to be the most innovative yet.

  December 12, 2007   Canada Comes to Berklee
The New Pornographers, k-os, and Bill King's Saturday Nite Fish Fry will gather on the Berklee Performance Center stage to call attention to the unsung influence music from Canada has had on American popular culture. The entire show will be broadcast live in Canada and the U.S. on SIRIUS Iceberg 95.
  January 31, 2008   George Duke: Restore Your Soul
  February 24, 2007   The Great American Songbook: Berklee on Broadway
  March 7, 2007   The SFJAZZ Collective
  April 17, 2007   Singers Showcase
 

Purchase tickets at the Berklee Performance Center box office or online through Ticketmaster. For more information, check back later at the series home page.

Events

Singers Showcase, December 6
Lead vocalists Jennifer Hirsh, Rebecca Muir, Grace Taylor, Phillip Ferrell, Amy Heidemann, Jenn Bostic, Tania Jones, and Merrliy Scruggs-James perform the music of Aretha Franklin, Eric Benet, Maroon 5, Reba McEntire, Joni Mitchell, and Norah Jones, and some original songs, as well. 8:15 p.m., Berklee Performance Center. Purchase tickets...

Nothin' Better to Do, December 14
Berklee's best pickers and singers bring you a night of hot new country, bluegrass, western swing, and more under the direction of faculty guitarist Mike Ihde. Three incredible vocalists, pedal steel guitar, fiddle, and a rhythm section will make this a memorable concert. 7:30 p.m., David Friend Recital Hall.

Berklee String Orchestra with Dave Samuels, December 17
The Berklee String Orchestra, under the direction of faculty cellist Eugene Friesen, presents an evening of traditional and contemporary music featuring soloists Dave Samuels and Bronwyn Bird. Selections include a piece by Berklee composition student Javier Abad and the premiere of the concerto "Black Mountain Education." 8:15 p.m., Berklee Performance Center.

Danilo Perez Big Band to Play NPR's Toast of the Nation, December 31
This New Year's Eve, the Danilo Perez Big Band will be heard live, coast to coast and around the world, from Berklee College of Music's intimate David Friend Recital Hall as part of NPR's Toast of the Nation jazz broadcast. 8:00 p.m., WGBH 89.7. Read more...

Learn more on the Events section of our website.

 
  Rocco Prestia
  photo by Phil Farnsworth

News

Berklee Steps out at CMJ
Berklee bands proved their mettle at a major rock music conference. Read more...

Berklee Hits the Blogosphere
Berkleemusic's new blog network brings together music industry professionals, music educators, and Berklee online school faculty members to discuss current events relating to the music business, music production, songwriting, music theory, performance, and online education. Read more...

Advice from a Funk Pioneer: Chill
Bassist Rocco Prestia follows the Tao of musicianship. Read more...

These Go to 11
Check out a photo gallery from Berklee's concert honoring Christopher Guest. Read more...

A Songwriter Who Never Protests Too Much
Folk legend Peggy Seeger shows students how to engage an audience in social issues. Read more...

Berklee Celebrates Latin Culture
The annual event showcased renowned international artist Rosa Passos, faculty members, alumni, and staff. Read more...

What He Won't Do for Music
Bobby Caldwell waxes on the joys and pitfalls of songwriting. Read more...

Berklee Press
Guitar professor Jon Damian has published The Chord Factory: Build Your Own Guitar Chord Dictionary with Berklee Press. Read more...

Clint Eastwood Receives Berklee Degree at Monterey Jazz Festival
Now you can watch Clint Eastwood receive his honorary doctorate, an award he called "one of the great honors I'll cherish in this lifetime." Read more...

For all the latest news, go to the Berklee News home.

Live at the BPC

This month, the Berklee Performance Center features an Aimee Mann Christmas show (December 16), and r&b star Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds (December 8).

On Sale

  • Hugh Masekela's Chissa All-Stars — Tickets go on sale December 6 for a February 17 show.
  • Spirit of Uganda — Tickets go on sale December 6 for a March 28 show.
  • Ana Moura — Tickets go on sale December 6 for an April 5 show.
  • Mavis Staples — Tickets go on sale December 6 for a May 16 show.

The box office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston.

For a full schedule of events and information on how to buy tickets, go to the Berklee Performance Center website or Ticketmaster.com.

Sounds of Berklee Podcast

This month's featured song, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," featuring student vocalist Grace Taylor, is from Universidad Navideña, a collection of traditional Christmas songs and carols performed by collegiate jazz and choral ensembles. The album—an eclectic mix of genres such as jazz, salsa, gospel, opera, and pop—will complement any holiday cocktail party. Buy now...

Subscribe to the Sounds of Berklee podcast.

Links/Information

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