New Concert Series Debuts October 2003

BOSTON, Sept. 10, 2003 — Song™, Delta Air Lines' new low-fare subsidiary, and Berklee College of Music are pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new concert series, debuting this fall and continuing through the 2003-04 academic year. Called "Song's Nothing Conservatory About It," the series will explore the expressive possibilities of popular song and the rich stylistic diversity that defines music today — and defines Berklee, as well.

Journalists:

• Song’s Nothing Conservatory About It Concert Series publicity photos are available to the accredited press here.
  
  
• Downloadable photos from the press event are available here.

Song President John Selvaggio performed with a Berklee student ensemble at Song's Nothing Conservatory About It Concert Series press event. Photo by Justin A. Knight

Nothing conservatory about it? Clever, but what does it mean exactly? Musically speaking, it means no road will be left untravelled, no question unasked, no stone unturned. It's the whimsy of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" and all the possibilities John Lennon could imagine. It is a concert series as inclusive and diverse as Berklee itself, from "Sophisticated Lady" to "Electric Ladyland," and from "Monk's Dream" to "Dream On." And, it is something entirely new, with original compositions and fresh arrangements making their debut at the Berklee Performance Center, performed by Berklee musicians and special friends of the college.

This unique concert series will pair masters of contemporary music, such as Pat Metheny and Michel Camilo, with the musical giants of tomorrow, students with the skills and star power to hold their own with the best of them. The Performance Center stage has served as a proving ground for former students like Diana Krall, Steve Vai, Branford Marsalis, Aimee Mann, Roy Hargrove, Susan Tedeschi, and Gillian Welch. The surprise of discovering a freshly minted talent, playing alongside a living legend, will make the Song's Nothing Conservatory About It concert series an intriguing new entry on the Boston cultural scene.

The series also will feature the formidable talents of the Berklee faculty, not only the world's most accomplished contemporary music educators, but outstanding performers in their own right. In addition to teaching Berklee students, they have led ensembles on worldwide tours, arranged tunes for pop superstars, performed and recorded as sidemen with acclaimed artists, and won Grammys for their efforts. But they haven't just played with the best in the business, they are the best in the business.

"For musicians, the proof is in the performance – it's what happens when you get in front of the audience. At Berklee, we believe the concert is as important as the classroom. And, Nothing Conservatory About It concerts are our very best, absolutely not to be missed," said Berklee's Executive Vice President and world-renowned vibist Gary Burton.

"Boston is a tremendous center for music and culture," said John Selvaggio, president of Song. "We are very pleased to support this exciting concert series, which will not only serve as a wonderful opportunity for the talented students of Berklee, but will be a special treat for Boston music lovers."

From left: President Lee Eliot Berk and Song President John Selvaggio. Photo by Justin A. Knight

Song and Berklee will be working together as co-promotion partners. Song will be introduced to Berklee's constituency in Boston, and throughout the world, through its presence at the series concerts, on Berklee's web site, and through the media sponsorship of the series by WGBH-FM, New England's NPR arts and culture affiliate.

Berklee will be introduced to Song's customers through presence in selected Crown Clubs and jetways, in-air printed materials, music events at airports and other locations, and ticket giveaways. Berklee and Song also are jointly exploring in-flight, digital presentation of Berklee music. In addition, Song has provided the college with an underwriting grant of $25,000 to offset some of the series' production expenses.

Season tickets to the eight-concert series are $100 for general admission, $150 for preferred seating. Individual tickets may be purchased to all shows, except the Pat Metheny concert on April 30. Admission to the Metheny show is available to season ticket holders only. Season ticket packages may be purchased at the Berklee Performance Center Box Office and are on sale now. Tickets for individual shows will go on sale two weeks prior to the performance. For ticket information, call 617-747-2261.

All concerts begin at 8:15 p.m. and will be held in the Berklee Performance Center. A detailed schedule follows.

Oct. 14 – The Three Tenors: Greg Badolato, George Garzone, and Frank Tiberi
Berklee faculty members present a rousing, three-tenor saxophone workout. Tickets $20, $30 preferred.

Oct. 16 – Baby, Please Don't Go: A Night of the Blues
Berklee commemorates and commiserates "The Year of the Blues" with a concert featuring top faculty and student performers. Tickets $10, $15 preferred.

Nov. 7 – Michel Camilo In Concert
As the culmination of Berklee's weeklong celebration of Latin music and culture, Visiting Professor Michel Camilo leads an all-star big band and performs with his incendiary trio. Proceeds benefit the Michel Camilo Scholarship for Berklee students from the Dominican Republic and elsewhere in Latin America. Tickets $20, $30 preferred.

Student vocalist Kamaria Ousley performed with a Berklee student ensemble at Song’s Nothing Conservatory About It Concert Series press event. Photo by Justin A. Knight

Dec. 11 – Singers' Showcase 20th Anniversary
Berklee's best student vocalists sing, whisper, belt, coo, shout, croon, wail, rap, swing, drop, scat, and holler. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of this Berklee classic, a number of Singers' Showcase alumni will join in the performance, including blues vocalist/guitarist Susan Tedeschi. Tickets $10, $15 preferred.

Jan. 29 – The Great American Songbook: The Music of Irving Berlin
The songs of Irving Berlin are performed by Berklee faculty in the lush, swinging style of pop's golden age. Tickets $20, $30 preferred.

March 25 – International Folk Festival
Hear the familiar strains of love, loss, triumph, sorrow, and joy in a dozen new ways; featuring student instrumentalists, vocalists, and dancers representing Berklee's large and diverse international population. Tickets $10, $15 preferred.

April 26 – Hallelujah! Amen! An Evening of Gospel Music
Berklee's Reverence Gospel Ensemble makes a joyful noise. Come, listen to them testify, and maybe see the light yourself. Tickets $10, $15 preferred.

April 30 – Pat Metheny in Concert
Visiting Professor Pat Metheny is producing a record for a Berklee student group. This group performs the first half of the show. Then, Metheny and special guest Gary Burton play a set with student musicians. Tickets available with season ticket package only

Berklee is pleased to welcome Song as sponsor of the Nothing Conservatory About It Concert Series. The series' media sponsor is WGBH-FM 89.7.

About Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music was through the study and practice of contemporary music. For over half a century, the college has evolved constantly to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. With over a dozen performance and nonperformance majors, a diverse and talented student body representing 70 plus countries, and a music industry "who's who" of alumni, Berklee is the world's premier learning lab for the music of today and tomorrow.

Song is an innovative low-fare service, which will provide non-stop flights between the Northeast and key Florida leisure destinations, plus Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Juan, with over 142 daily flights on 36 Boeing 757 aircraft. All Song flights are operated by Delta Air Lines. Song tickets can be purchased by visiting flysong.com.

Journalists:

• Song’s Nothing Conservatory About It Concert Series publicity photos are available to the accredited press here.
  
  
• Downloadable Photos from the press event are available here.

For more information, members of the media may contact

Nicholas Balkin
Office of Public Information
Berklee College of Music
(617) 747-2750
nbalkin@berklee.edu

Bruce Bobbins
Dan Klores Communications
212-981-5190
bruce_bobbins@dkcnews.com