Boylston Street Room Named for Steve Heck
Faculty member Steve Heck (left) cuts the ribbon to the room named for him at 1140 Boylston Street. President Lee Eliot Berk, Susan G. Berk, and donor Stan Hatoff look on.
On November 6, 2003, for the first time, a Berklee facility was named in honor of a faculty member. Lead donor Stan Hatoff and friends provided a generous grant for the multipurpose room (located off the lobby of the 1140 Boylston Street building) to be named for faculty pianist and alumnus Steve Heck '78, an instructor in the Piano Department.
The event was cohosted by the Piano Department and the Office of the President. Piano Department Chair Stephany Tiernan welcomed guests from the college community, family and friends of Steve and of donor Stan Hatoff, as well as the parents of many area students Heck has taught privately, in the Lawrence and Alma Berk Recital Hall. "I am pleased that the first thing people entering this building will see is a room named after a piano faculty member who is a wonderful musician and an inspiring human being," stated Tiernan.
Next, Heck gave a short concert of his original songs featuring his piano and vocal work with backing from Associate Professor of Ear Training Bob Patton (saxophone), Associate Professor of Professional Music Tom Stein (bass), Associate Professor of Percussion Casey Scheuerell (drums), and alumnus Mike Duke (guitar).
From left: Piano Department Chair Stephany Tiernan, Lee Eliot Berk, Steve Heck, and Stan Hatoff with plaques and citations commemorating the dedication of the Steve Heck Room.
Afterward, President Berk noted some of the special features of the new room. "The Steve Heck Room was designed to support the future," Berk said. He described the ISDN lines installed for distance-learning opportunities, high-speed network connections to the Web and the Berklee network, and high-definition television screen for news broadcasts and airing of special musical events around the campus. There will also be an ongoing acoustic music series offered in the Steve Heck Room.
Berk presented Heck with a facsimile of the plaque installed by the entryway to the room. Hatoff, Heck's former student, then addressed the audience and presented Heck with a certificate of recognition from Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and an official resolution from the Boston City Council. "Steve's greatest asset is that he is happy with what he does," Hatoff said. "He is always anxious to go to work each morning. You young students at Berklee should take note of this. It is a great accomplishment."
The event concluded with a ribbon cutting and performances by Associate Professor of Ensemble Nancy Morris, alumnus pianist Oliver Rockberger '03 (a former student of Heck's), and the guest of honor himself. "I hope this room will always be filled with the kind of joy and laughter we have experienced here tonight," said Heck. "I want to thank you all for coming here to share one of the greatest moments of my life."
