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Composition

Scott Fessler, Professor

DEPARTMENT : Composition Department

"In the composition courses I teach, we're dealing with a body of knowledge that dates back a couple of centuries, so I try to show the connection to more recent compositions. 'Over the Rainbow,' for example, fits into an eighteeth-century European structure almost perfectly. After we analyze it in class, I make the point that it's one of the most commercially successful pieces of songcraft that has ever been created. We start talking about why that's true, and that its elements, in terms of organization and melody, are also true for a Beatles tune or a piece by Bach. Those all have universal elements of construction that are effective and timeless."

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George Monseur, Professor

DEPARTMENT : Composition Department

  • B.M., Arizona State University
  • M.M., New England Conservatory of Music
  • Conducting studies with Leopold Stokowsky, Leonard Bernstein, Leon Barzin, and Attilio Poto
  • Appearances with Tanglewood Festival Orchestra, National Radio/Television Orchestra of Athens, National Symphony of Costa Rica, and International Music Festival of Caracas

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Schooled in Groove

To many musicians, the groove is the basis of all that we do. It's the feel; the groove moves us. As we wrapped up the last day of the Berklee Groove School program at the new campus in Valencia, the groove was in full effect.

2012 groove school dance

Matt Halpin Update from Dublin Tour

By: Matthew Halpin, Presidential Scholar, Tenor Saxophonist, Composer and Bandleader. See Ireland Gets the Presidential Treatment for more on the Matt Halpin Group Tour of Ireland.

A View from the Summit

By Jason Camelio, Director of International Programs

There are many sites to see in Valencia. Depending on where you stand your perspective can be dramatically altered. From the bridges spanning the Palau de les Arts, you see the expanse of truly vivid imaginations. It is compositional in nature. Fluid. Impressive and yet subtle with a filigree of detail juxtaposed with complex imagery. This imagery can also describe the incredible group of creative and inspired minds holding court at the 2012 Berklee International Network Summit.

And Mozart Went to...11!

By: Jason Camelio, Director of International Programs

Mozart would have been impressed by the rendition of Eine kleine Nachtmusik blazing through the row of Fender amplifiers lined across the stage at the Lawrence and Alma Berk Recital Hall this afternoon. Eight exceptional Brazilian guitarist picking, hammering-on, pulling-off, swelling with their volume knobs whilst the conductor who could have passed for a rhythm guitarist for Crimson Glory waived in arms to keep time and cue the various passages screaming forth.

Ireland Gets the Presidential Treatment from Berklee

By: Jason Camelio, Director of International Programs

An exceptionally talented group of young musicians is en route to Ireland to present a series of master classes and concerts in Sligo, Cork and Dublin. The quintet, led by Berklee presidential scholar and native of Ireland Matthew Halpin, will also feature drummer Roberto Gianquinto, bassist Jared Henderson, pianist Christian Li (not in photo) and guitarist Mike Bono (also a Berklee Presidential Scholar).

Generosity - Dominican-Style

By: Jason Camelio, Director of International Programs

As the last finalist walked from the recital hall at the National Theater in Santo Domingo, we on the audition panel turned to one another and shared a few smiles. On one hand, the easy part was done. Over the past day and a half we had auditioned 30+ talented young musicians that had been selected as finalists for the 2012 Michel Camilo Scholarship. The hard part was about to begin. We now had to select the one candidate to receive the presidential scholarship generously donated by Michel.

Here Is What $1 Million Looks Like in Puerto Rico

By: Jason Camelio, Director of International Programs

Following the Path Through Berklee in Puerto Rico

By: Jason Camelio, Director of International Programs

Carlos plays cuatro. He's 12-years old. He just got back from Cuba, where he was playing at a conference for cuatro players. Edgardo plays soprano. He's been playing for a year. He is 15-years old.

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