Berklee and Air Carrier Partner for Concert Series

Song™, Delta Air Lines’ new low-fare subsidiary, and Berklee College of Music recently announced their partnership for the production of a concert series debuting this fall and continuing through the 2003-2004 academic year.

The musical shows, dubbed Song’s Nothing Conservatory about It concert series will explore the expressive possibilities of popular song and the rich stylistic diversity that characterizes contemporary music as well as Berklee.

The series will pair masters such as Pat Metheny and Michel Camilo with the musical giants of tomorrow: students with the skills and star power to hold their own next to today’s music industry veterans. The stage of the Berklee Performance Center has been a proving ground for former students such as Diana Krall, Steve Vai, Branford Marsalis, Aimee Mann, Roy Hargrove, Susan Tedeschi, and Gillian Welch. The possibility of hearing fresh young talent playing alongside a living legend will imbue Song’s Nothing Conservatory about It concert series with a special excitement. The featured performers will also include Berklee faculty members.

“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 Berklee’s students but will be a special treat for Boston’s music lovers.”

Song provides low-fare, nonstop flights between the Northeast and key Florida leisure destinations, as well as to Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Juan, with more than 142 daily flights on Boeing 757 aircraft. All Song flights are operated by Delta Air Lines.

Song and Berklee will each promote the series. The new air carrier will be introduced to Berklee’s constituency in Boston and throughout the world through its presence at the series concerts, on Berklee’s website, and through the media sponsorship of the series by WGBH-FM, New England’s NPR arts and culture affiliate.

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

Season tickets to the eight-concert series are $100 for general admission and $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.

A few of the series highlights include Michel Camilo in Concert on November 7; the Singers’ Showcase 20th Anniversary concert starring blues vocalist/guitarist Susan Tedeschi ’91 among others, on December 11; The Great American Songbook: The Music of Irving Berlin on January 29, 2004; and Pat Metheny in Concert on April 30, 2004, featuring Metheny, special guest Gary Burton, and student musicians. Tickets for the Metheny show are available with season ticket package only. See page 23 for the full concert schedule.