For an Unforgettable Corporate Event...

While it is well-known in the Boston area that there is a wealth of musical talent at Berklee, what's not known is that Berklee students are making a mark as headliners for large corporate conventions and meetings across the country.

It all began when representatives of Matsushita (parent company of Panasonic, Technics, and Quasar) attended a Berklee commencement concert in 1994 and were so impressed that they invited the Berklee students to headline at Panasonic's national sales meeting in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Panasonic officials were so pleased with the show that they invited the 10-piece group to perform again at similar events in Palm Springs and Colorado Springs.

Dan Slick, national marketing manager for Technics, said, "I have been to many national sales meetings, and I can honestly tell you that the level of excitement generated by these young people was something to behold. Their enthusiasm and infectious energy transmitted to the audience, who were on their feet clapping and singing along."

Since then, student bands have appeared at several corporate events in Boston, including concerts at Networks Expo, the National Association of College & University Business Officers Conference, and the grand opening of the Boston Stock Exchange.

At the stock exchange celebration, the musicians performed in four venues, in groups ranging from trios to a 26-piece big band. Bill Morton, chair and CEO of the Boston Stock Exchange, commented, "The performers were absolutely phenomenal. They put forth a special effort that went well beyond our expectations."

These major events featured Berklee's top student singers and instrumentalists in a program of pop, gospel, or jazz music creating a wide choice of performance options. In addition to the performers, a group of full-time faculty members and production staff traveled with the musicians to ensure the highest-quality performance. In appreciation, each of these companies has established scholarships to benefit deserving students at Berklee. For further information about the corporate performances program, contact Beverly Tryon at (617) 747-2660 or by e-mail at <btryon@berklee.edu>.