Berklee City Music News

Press Release
September 18, 2023

The annual event, filled with world-class performances, will benefit Berklee City Music students.

Press Release
August 9, 2023

Currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, the City Music program has to date awarded 274 four-year, full-tuition scholarships, totaling over $33 million.

Press Release
October 6, 2022

This year’s event featured performances by the Family Stone, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, the Berklee Indian Ensemble, and more.

Press Release
August 11, 2022

Since its inception, the City Music program has awarded more than 250 four-year, full-tuition scholarships, totaling over $30 million.

Press Release
May 18, 2022

The $25,000 award will support City Music’s High School Academy and Preparatory Academy programs.

Press Release
December 22, 2021

Nine ambassadors representing all aspects of the music industry will advise, mentor, and work with Berklee City Music students throughout the academic year.

Press Release
August 11, 2021

Eight students from Berklee City Music programs across the country will attend the college on four-year, full-tuition awards.

Press Release
May 21, 2021

The $15,000 award will support City Music’s High School Academy and Preparatory Academy programs.

January 21, 2020

Massachusetts's first black Congresswoman called for greater inclusion in the media at Berklee's Unsung Heroes Ceremony.

October 30, 2019

The 25th annual Encore Gala included guest musicians such as Chaka Khan, Grandmaster Flash, and Livingston Taylor. 

Press Release
February 9, 2018

Rob Rose, whose influence was felt by students aspiring to be performers, retires after 50 years at Berklee.

Press Release
August 9, 2017

Five young musicians from underserved communities in Boston and across the U.S. were awarded four-year, full-tuition scholarships to attend Berklee during an emotional presentation at the Berklee Performance Center on Tuesday, August 8. 

December 21, 2016

The 2016 Berklee City Music Summit featured Academy Award-winning rapper Frayser Boy, Grammy-winning guitarist Larry Carlton, Snarky Puppy's Michael League, and Jennifer McCrea, coauthor of The Generosity Network. The summit was an opportunity for community organizations across the U.S. and Canada who participate in the Berklee City Music® program to collaborate around enabling youth from underserved communities to develop musically, academically, socially, and emotionally, primarily through the study of contemporary music.

Press Release
August 11, 2016

Emceed by actor and comedian Sinbad, the City Music scholarship presentation came at the conclusion of the Berklee Five-Week Summer Performance Program, the last hurdle for scholarship winners to clear before beginning their college careers.

April 5, 2016

Ensemble and City Music faculty Chantel Hampton '08 and Alonzo Harris underscore the importance of being versatile as a musician and how technology can enhance performance. 

Press Release
March 23, 2016

Krystal Banfield, dean for Berklee City Music, received the 2016 Amtrak Pioneer Award, an award that honors African-American leaders who have made impactful contributions to the city of Boston.

Press Release
January 28, 2016

The Berklee PULSE® Music Method expands to Metro Nashville Public Schools and the School District of Philadelphia, providing over 400 music teachers with access to the comprehensive online platform.

December 16, 2015

City Music student Muñeca Diaz is the beneficiary of a handmade bass, thanks to a donor's generosity at this year's Encore Gala.

November 19, 2015

The fifth annual Berklee City Music Summit brings music educators, professional musicians, and students together for networking and collaboration.

November 5, 2015

Boston’s philanthropic community came out in force for Berklee’s 21st annual Encore Gala to benefit the Berklee City Music program on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Press Release
November 2, 2015
The three-day event takes place November 9-11 at Teachers College at Columbia University, in New York City. Highlights include a keynote presentation by Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum, and a master class that pairs Mindi Abair, Tuffus Zimbabwe, and other master musicians with Berklee City Music Network ensembles. 
Press Release
October 26, 2015

J. Curtis Warner Jr. has been named to lead Berklee's new Office of Community and Government Relations as associate vice president. 

Press Release
August 31, 2015

Thirteen young musicians from underserved communities in Boston and across the U.S. were awarded four-year full tuition scholarships to attend Berklee at an emotional presentation at the Berklee Performance Center on Tuesday, August 11.

Press Release
March 5, 2015

Students, musicians, and filmmakers united for the launch of the Take Me to the River Education Initiative at the World Famous Apollo Theater on February 12.

December 9, 2014

The 4th annual Berklee City Music Network Conference explored the changing role of American popular music in education today.

Press Release
October 27, 2014

Berklee's 20th annual gala raised nearly $2 million for Berklee City Music with help from Jaime Lee Curtis and George Clinton. 

October 2, 2014

Berklee trumpet player Arnetta Johnson receives a major scholarship from Blues Babe Foundation on BET's An Evening of Stars, a celebrity-studded award show sponsored by the United Negro College Fund.

Press Release
September 23, 2014

Berklee and Little Kids Rock are bringing a modern band curriculum to 600 New York City public schools, serving 60,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. 

Press Release
August 14, 2014

On August 12 at the Berklee Performance Center, 18 students were awarded full scholarships to Berklee College of Music.

June 30, 2014

For Gerami Groover, enrolling in the Music Technology Innovation graduate program at Berklee’s Valencia, Spain campus has been a capstone to her Berklee trajectory.

Press Release
May 8, 2014

The Berklee City Music Faculty Outreach Program culminates with a concert on May 17.

Press Release
April 30, 2014

Summer in the City presents free performances throughout Boston and culminates with the free Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival on September 27, 2014.

Press Release
April 14, 2014

In his new role as VP for education outreach and social entrepreneurship, Lee Whitmore will preside over the Berklee City Music program in Boston and 46 network sites across the country.

Press Release
November 25, 2013

The Berklee City Music Network, a national network of organizations that provide contemporary music instruction, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities to underserved teens at no cost, announces its 44th and 45th partner sites: Renaissance Youth Center in Bronx, New York, and Camden Repertory Theater in Camden, New Jersey. 

Press Release
November 19, 2013

Berklee City Music students perform the national anthem at TD Bank Garden after an on-campus visit from Celtics star forward Brandon Bass. 

Press Release
October 23, 2013

The 19th annual gala raised money for Berklee City Music.

Press Release
October 15, 2013

The Berklee City Music Network conference features national leaders in education and development addressing challenges and solutions in serving underserved communities. 

October 8, 2013

The 13th annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival was held on September 28, 2013. Thousands of music lovers gathered along several city blocks in Boston to enjoy jaw-dropping free performances from some of today’s most talented artists on three stages.

Press Release
August 20, 2013

New City Music Boston director Misael Martinez has made a career of helping students to overcome challenges and set their sights on achieving secondary and higher education. 

Press Release
August 12, 2013

Berklee City Music scholarships pave the way for music education for youth from underserved communities.

Press Release
July 9, 2013

On September 28, music lovers of all ages will gather for the 13th annual Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival in Boston’s historic South End.

Press Release
June 5, 2013

Natixis Global Asset Management and Berklee partnership expands series to more than 200 free outdoor concerts, including the BeanTown Jazz Festival on September 28.

May 31, 2013

Berklee students and corporate executives collaborate on a concert that raised more than $288,000 for Berklee's City Music program.

Press Release
February 27, 2013

More than 70 women will grace the stage at the Berklee Performance Center when Berklee's Women Musicians Network (WMN) presents its 16th annual concert on Thursday, March 7. Female students from countries around the world—including Indonesia, Colombia, Lithuania, India, and Norway—will showcase their songwriting, arranging, performing, producing, and engineering talents in this popular concert. The show features 13 diverse acts ranging from big band and acoustic jazz to Balkan folk, rock, poetry, and 1950s Italian doo-wop. 

Press Release
October 19, 2012

The eighteenth annual Encore Gala, which drew more than 900 guests, raised money for the Berklee City Music Program.

October 9, 2012

Boston's biggest block party—the Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival—drew 50,000 visitors. This year's festival highlighted women in jazz. 

September 5, 2012

Jordan Williams was so impressed with the Five-Week Summer Performance Program last year that he came back for another session—this time to focus primarily on jazz.

Press Release
August 31, 2012

One of Boston's largest, most popular festivals celebrates women in jazz this September.

Press Release
August 28, 2012

Krystal Banfield has been appointed dean of Berklee City Music. In this role, she becomes the first African-American woman on the college's executive leadership team.

October 20, 2011

PULSE's partnership allows student songwriters and producers from across the Berklee City Music Network to collaborate on song creation.

October 18, 2011

The 17th annual gala raised money for Berklee City Music.

October 5, 2011

PULSE documents five local bands' music-making for an online teaching tool.

September 30, 2011

Banded, a documentary for Berklee's PULSE online curriculum, captured the intersection of inspiration and education.

August 26, 2011

This bassist's participation in Berklee's City Music program has paid off in high-profile gigs and a full-tuition scholarship to Berklee.

July 18, 2011

Tuffus Zimbabwe, a City Music alumnus, will perform at a free show in his old neighborhood.

May 6, 2011

Berklee faculty and staff give back to the birthplace of jazz, helping build homes in Louisiana.

Press Release
February 7, 2011

At Berklee's annual faculty conference, a panel discussed the best ways to push students to the head of the class—literally.

Press Release
January 14, 2011

The free event features student performances and a panel discussion on Boston's busing era.

Press Release
December 7, 2010

Berklee City Music executive director J. Curtis Warner Jr. received the 2010 Humanitarian of the Year award.

Press Release
November 30, 2010

In partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston and the Music and Youth Initiative, Berklee's new music education facility includes a recording studio, and ensemble and practice rooms, and will serve 100 students weekly.

Press Release
October 27, 2010

The sixteenth-annual gala raised money for Berklee City Music.

Press Release
October 1, 2010

A Berklee City Music alumnus steps into a long-running ensemble.

Press Release
September 2, 2010

One student's dream helped a team of Berklee students show a village of children the world of music.

Press Release
August 12, 2010

It was a life-changing night for 14 talented youth, who could not afford to come to Berklee on their own.

Press Release
July 27, 2010

Winners of full-tuition scholarships will be revealed.

Press Release
May 31, 2010

Legendary producer Quincy Jones praises and offers advice to City Music students.

Press Release
March 17, 2010

The gift will support Berklee's urban music outreach programs.

Press Release
February 8, 2010

Five Berklee graduates and a student earned the chance to compete in the Hollywood Week round of American Idol.

Press Release
February 3, 2010

City Music participants get to share a stage with legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter.

Press Release
January 12, 2010

The Unsung Heroes Breakfast also includes a panel discussion with 1961 Freedom Riders Jean Thompson and Judith Ann Wright.

Press Release
December 18, 2009

Berklee work-study students bring their knowledge to classrooms and clubhouses around Boston.

Press Release
November 4, 2009

The Anaheim youth organization is the third California-based program and 15th overall to join the Berklee City Music Network.

Press Release
August 13, 2009

Young musicians from the Boston area and City Music Network sites around the country accepted Berklee scholarships at an emotional presentation.

Press Release
July 31, 2009

Students from across the country were selected to attend the Five-Week Summer Performance Program on full scholarships.

Press Release
July 29, 2009

Berklee's first City Music Festival will culminate in the awarding of full-tuition scholarships at the Blowout Concert.

Press Release
July 15, 2009

Berklee and ParkARTS present the annual Jazz at the Fort concert at Roxbury's historic Highland Park.

Press Release
February 2, 2009

The college is auditioning students and awarding scholarships at Stax Music Academy, February 14-15.

Press Release
January 28, 2009

Berklee City Music Recognizes Liz Walker for Community Influence

Press Release
December 17, 2008

Simon and Guest look forward to more interaction with students and faculty.

Press Release
December 12, 2008

This dedicated Boston native puts his faith in drums and the divine.

Press Release
November 14, 2008

The college's youth music education program won the prestigious 2008 Coming Up Taller Award.

Press Release
November 7, 2008

The college held its 14th annual gala to benefit the Berklee City Music youth program.

Press Release
August 15, 2008

Ten young musicians from urban Boston neighborhoods accepted full scholarships to Berklee at an emotional presentation on Tuesday, August 12.

Press Release
January 15, 2008

An alumna saxophonist says Berklee is "for the musician of today."

Press Release
August 23, 2007

Matthew Witek is getting as much teaching experience as possible as he prepares for a career as a music educator.

Press Release
January 15, 2007

The Berklee City Music All-Stars travel far from Berklee to help mark a turning point in the college's City Music program.