International Optimism about Music

With applications to the college increasing and the acquisition of new property for the campus, Berklee has experienced a major growth wave. So too, Berkleemusic.com offers 130 online courses and programs to students in 95 countries. Optimism about music and music education in the United States has overtaken our partners in the Berklee International Network (BIN) schools as well.

BIN Faculty Development Week

Every two years, we invite our BIN partners to Boston to visit the college, observe classes, and meet with academic leaders. This year we made two modifications to the faculty development week. First, we invited our partner institutions in the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada to attend along with our BIN partners. Second, we offered a week of sessions surveying our academic offerings, from core curriculum courses to turntablism and hip-hop courses. One of the week’s highlights was the live broadcast of the “Berklee Storytellers” radio show from the Red Room at Cafe 939 via the Berklee Internet Radio Network (BIRN). More than 25 faculty members from 15 institutions took part this year.

Africa Scholarships Tour in Nairobi

In early June, Berklee paid its second visit to Africa. We auditioned nearly 85 candidates who showed a lot of natural talent, motivation, and commitment. With help from our host Eric Wainaina ’99, the artistic director at the Brookhouse International School, as well as other Berklee alumni and active music professionals, we glimpsed a music culture in Nairobi that shows great promise. Ensemble Department Chair Ron Savage, Associate Professor of Harmony George Russell Jr., and Assistant Director of International Programs Samuel Skau and Assistant Director of Admissions–International Recruitment Michael Shaver organized a forum with local musicians and teachers; met with Michael E. Ranneberger, the U.S. ambassador to Kenya; and greeted alumni at a special reception. The week finished with clinics and a concert at the Brookhouse International School.

Puerto Rico Clinics Attract 200

The college has strong musical connections to Puerto Rico, especially among musicians involved with the Berklee clinics held in conjunction with the Puerto Rico Heineken JazzFest. Exceptional local talent and achievement have been aptly demonstrated by artists like Miguel Zenón ’98, a recipient of a 2008 MacArthur Fellows Program fellowship, and Roy Guzman ’10, winner of the 2009 Billboard Endowed Scholarship. This tradition of excellence helped attract 200 young musicians to the clinics in June.

This year the college awarded $88,000 in merit-based scholarships and an additional $10,000 through a generous gift from Berklee Board of Trustees member Luis Alvarez and the Mendez Corporation. We look forward to a special program next year when we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Puerto Rico Heineken JazzFest.

Berklee Partner Opens Arts Center

The Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) will soon open its new Center for Creative Arts. The building will house Tri-C’s jazz studies program directed by alumnus Steve Enos ’89. Along with a state-of-the art facility, the students will study next to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame library and archives, which will soon take up residence at the center. Tri-C has an academic agreement with Berklee enabling students who complete their program to transfer to Berklee to continue their major course of study. For more information, visit www.tric.edu/news/Pages/20090518a.aspx(Opens in a new window).

Study Abroad in Ecuador

In January 2010, the Instituto de Música Contemporánea at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito will begin hosting Berklee students for semester-abroad studies. Semester-abroad programs are currently offered at BIN partner schools in Athens, Greece, and Freiburg, Germany. Berklee students will be able to enroll for a semester of study at our Ecuadorian partner institution, immerse themselves in the rich local musical culture, and take a field trip to the Galápagos Islands.

Samuel Skau contributed to this article.