New's From Berklee's Office of International Programs

Berklee and its partners in the Berklee International Network (BIN) continually strive to develop and enhance an array of contemporary music-education opportunities. Here is a roundup of some of the individual and collaborative programs and projects happening around the world that are yielding results and accolades.

Partners in Malaysia Recognized

The International College of Music (ICOM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, led by Irene Savari ’88, the organization’s president and CEO, has been awarded the Brand Laureate SME Chapter Award 2008 from the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation for the best brand in music education. This important distinction places ICOM in the limelight as a top institution for contemporary music education in the region. Additionally, ICOM has signed an agreement with the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom to validate its bachelor’s of music (or Hons) in the Professional Music program.

PAN School Draws a Crowd

Berklee and the PAN School of Music in Tokyo, Japan, piloted a new kind of clinic event as part of the college’s semiannual visit in February. The first day of sessions focused on preparing for the Berklee audition and interview process. A second day of sessions featured contemporary harmony, ear training, music technology, and ensemble performance classes. Berklee faculty members Daryl Lowery and George Russell Jr. and staff members Samuel Skau ’95 and Gojko Danjamic ’89 presented in sessions that were open to the public. During the 2009–2010 tour, similar programs will be offered at all BIN schools.

European Songbook Project

The European Songbook Sounds of Diversity: Songs against Racism, Songs for Equality reached its climactic conclusion in Helsinki, Finland, on March 6. The collaboration between the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (Great Britain), Music Academy International (France), International Music College Freiburg (Germany) and the Helsinki Pop & Jazz Conservatory (Finland) culminated in a final concert at Arabia Hall. In addition to the performance, musicians from each institution recorded their songs, which they will make available for download from the project’s future website. This effort was supported with EU funding from the Comenius Partnerships program.

Berklee Receives NAFSA Recognition

In a report by NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Berklee was among three institutions profiled in the article “Internationalizing the Campus 2009: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities.” The report spotlighted institutions demonstrating innovation in an international program or initiative. For more details, visit www.nafsa.org/SimonAward.

Panama Festivities

More than 600 students from countries throughout Central and South America attended a week of clinics presented by faculty members Jim Kelly, Jim Odgren, Neil Leonard, Alex Rodriguez, and Rob Jaczko during the Panama Jazz Festival. President Roger Brown addressed festival supporters at a Danilo Pérez Foundation gala event, Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement Debbie Bieri held an alumni reception, and Director of Admissions Damien Bracken awarded scholarships to four young musicians based on the auditions and interviews conducted during the festival. For further details and a video documentary, visit www.panamajazzfestival.com.

Seeking Scholars in Nairobi

During the first week of June, Berklee will audition and interview candidates for the Africa Scholars Program at the Brookhouse School in Nairobi, Kenya. Eric Wainaina ’02, who serves as the artistic director of the Brookhouse School, will coordinate the Berklee team’s visit. The Africa Scholars Program creates opportunities for gifted African musicians without the financial means to study at Berklee. The program’s goals include increasing awareness of the college among African musicians and encouraging Berklee alumni from Africa to support this scholarship. For more details about the Berklee event in Nairobi, visit www.berklee.edu/scholarships/africa.