Class Connections

On February 27, Berklee College of Music collaborated with the Boston Conservatory and the New England Conservatory to present the Music Career Expo and Job Fair 2000 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. The event was a tremendous success and drew close to 900 people, of which approximately 120 were Berklee alumni. A huge thank-you goes out to Berklee trustees Tim Collins, Mike Dresse, Don Rose, and L.A. Alumni Chapter president and trustee Leanne Summers '88 who worked hard to develop panels and organize speakers.

The expo began with a keynote address from Hilary Rosen, President and CEO for the RIAA, followed by various panels on guerrilla music marketing, attracting agents and managers, landing a record deal, music theater opportunities, and alternative music careers. Panelists included industry professionals like Alf Clausen '66, composer for "The Simpsons"; Tess Taylor, founder and president of Music Business Network; Gary Himelfarb, president and owner of RAS Records; and many more. In the late afternoon, smaller break-out sessions were held on issues such as composing songs for TV and film, tools and marketing for the business of music, and jazz and neoclassical growth on the web, among others.

Berklee partnered with the Nashville Songwriter's Association International in April to present a songwriter workshop led by Steve Seskin, an accomplished singer/songwriter from the Bay Area who has had songs performed by Mark Wills, John Michael Montgomery, Neal McKoy, and many others. The full-day seminar held in Boston attracted over 30 singer/songwriters and covered lyric writing and composition techniques, and ended with a song critiquing session.

In March was Berklee's annual Nashville trip, which is designed to introduce students to the Nashville music scene through a series of seminars, panels, and workshops. Well over 50 alumni participated in events such as a reception, "Club Shane" (a music showcase hosted by Shane Adams '95), and a meeting led by Vice President of Institutional Advancement David McKay to bring alumni up to date on the strategic planning process and to review specific alumni strategies. Congratulations go out to Pamela Roller, who, in addition to being the Nashville alumni chapter president, has been added to Berklee's board of trustees.

On April 24, 40 people attended a Berklee seminar in San Francisco entitled Getting the Big Gig--A Look at Getting Booked in San Francisco and Abroad. The panel featured Michael Bailey, vice president for booking at Bill Graham Presents; Randall Kline, executive director of SFJAZZ; and Ruth Felt, president and founder of San Francisco Performer. The panel was moderated by Dmitri Matheny '89.

New York was the location for the songwriter showcase at Club Makor in early May. The event was sponsored by Berklee's Songwriting Department and SESAC. It featured Adrianne Gonzales '98, The Morris Brothers Band, and Tamara Feinman '91. The evening began with a reception that was attended by about 35 alumni, followed by outstanding performances from all artists.

Assistant Vice President Marjorie O'Malley traveled to Texas to meet with alumni interested in forming an alumni association for the Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas areas. Any alumni in those areas who would like additional information or to become involved, please call me at (617) 747-2449 or e-mail me at <aeross@berklee.edu>.

Finally, I would like to congratulate all new graduates and welcome you to the Berklee Alumni Network. I encourage you to keep in touch!

All the best,

Adrian E. Ross '96
Director
Alumni Affairs