BOSTON -- Oct. 9, 1998 -- President Lee Eliot Berk announced today that Harry Chalmiers, an accomplished performer, composer, teacher and arts administrator, has been named the new provost at Berklee College of Music, ending the search to replace his predecessor, Dr. Warrick Carter. Carter left the college in late 1996 to head the new live entertainment division at Walt Disney Corporation.

In taking the helm as provost, Chalmiers will draw upon his rich and varied experience, which encompasses virtually every aspect of music education. Since graduating from Berklee in 1975, he has taught jazz and classical guitar, performed with orchestras and blues bands, and successfully managed community music schools across the country.

"Berklee College of Music is very fortunate to have as its new Vice President an alumnus who is not only qualified in many areas of musicianship and leadership, but also very experienced in relating music and education to the needs of the community," stated President Lee Eliot Berk. "I expect that Mr. Chalmiers will give significant impetus to Berklee's expanding contributions to many groups in society both within and beyond Boston."

Most recently, Chalmiers served as executive director of the MacPhail Center for the Arts in Minneapolis, the second largest community music school in the country. While at MacPhail, Chalmiers initiated a music technology program and built partnerships between the school and leading arts organizations including the Minnesota Orchestra and the Minnesota Opera.

Chalmiers was executive director of Indian Hill Arts in Littleton, Mass., from 1985 to 1994 and director of the music school at Groton Center for the Arts in Groton, Mass., from 1980 to 1985. For 16 years he taught guitar, theory, ear training and composition at the University of Massachusetts - Lowell. And in the late 1970s, Chalmiers worked as a solfege and counterpoint instructor at Berklee.

"Berklee was such a huge force in shaping my musical and professional life, and I am delighted to find it as vibrant as ever," Chalmiers said. "The opportunity to be part of the leadership team of such a unique institution is the chance of a lifetime, and I'm thrilled to return to Berklee as the provost."

As the college's chief academic officer, Chalmiers will strive for effective communication and cooperation among faculty and staff, initiating regular discussions and seeking input from the entire college community.

"One of my main goals will be to establish a means of taking full advantage of the enormous pool of creativity and talent at Berklee,'' he said. "The faculty are the core of the school and it is my job to see that the faculty are well-satisfied, enthusiastic about their work and continuing to provide the unique and excellent education and guidance that is Berklee's mission."

In addition to his work as a music educator, Chalmiers is also a skilled composer. He studied composition at the New England Conservatory, receiving a masters degree in 1979. He has continued composing through the years, most recently penning "Night Cries" for violin, harp and narrator, commissioned by the Schubert Club of St. Paul, Minn., and "Confluence" for flute, viola, cello, and percussion, commissioned by 10,000 Dances. Chalmiers also recently released his first compact disc of original songs, Sketches, on which he sings and plays guitar.

Founded in 1945, Berklee College of Music has been advancing careers in contemporary music for more than 50 years. The world's largest independent college of music, Berklee has a multicultural enrollment of over 2,900 students, 40 percent of whom are international. The college's alumni include some of the most respected figures in contemporary music, including many multi-Grammy award winners.

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For more information please contact:

Sarah Godcher, publicist
Office of Public Information
Berklee College of Music
(617) 747-2658
sgodcher@berklee.edu