In its 14th Year, "Berklee in LA" Will Award $100K in Scholarships

BOSTON / LOS ANGELES, July 31, 2003 ­ Nearly 200 young musicians have been selected to participate next week in Berklee College of Music's summer performance program in Los Angeles -- "Berklee in LA" -- an intense five days of instrumental/vocal instruction, ensemble work, improvisation and harmony classes, performance opportunities, and faculty clinics. "Berklee in LA" takes place at a new location this year -- on the Fullerton College campus in Fullerton, California, from August 3 through 7.

"Berklee in LA" is a low-cost way for students to experience the Berklee education and to think more realistically about music in their college decision. To be accepted in the program, students must be at least 15 years of age, have a minimum of six months of musical training, and submit an audition tape or CD.

Up-and-coming Berklee alumni who have come through the "Berklee in LA" program include tenor saxophonist Teodross Avery '95, who made his recording debut as a leader on the GRP label just a few days before his 21st birthday. Kendrick Oliver '95, who wowed the "Berklee in LA" faculty by playing Charlie Parker riffs on his tuba, formed the New Life Orchestra while he was still a Berklee student, and his big band has performed at clubs and jazz festivals all over the country.

Among the clinicians at "Berklee in LA" this year will be Berklee alumnus Abraham Laboriel, Sr. '72, who will make a special appearance on Tuesday, August 5. Laboriel has played bass on over 3,000 recordings, with such artists as Stevie Wonder, Robbie Robertson, Joe Zawinul, George Benson, Barbra Streisand, Al Jarreau, Elton John, Joe Sample, Quincy Jones, and Michael Jackson. Performing with Laboriel will be fellow alum Justo Almario '71 on sax and flute, recently nominated for a 2003 Latin Grammy Award; Bill Maxwell on drums; and first-call LA studio keyboard player Greg Mathieson. The quartet will perform jazz and Latin jazz originals for students only on Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. The event is not open to the public.

On Wednesday, August 6, from 7 to 8 p.m., alum Avery Burdette '75, who is Yamaha Corporation of America's assistant manager for customer support, will present another students-only clinic: an overview on music technology that will feature a demonstration of Yamaha's new Motif ES, along with their AW16G HDD recorder. These two units are designed to work together and provide the complete home studio set-up.

A sampling of Berkleešs acclaimed faculty will be on the West Coast to share their knowledge, from internationally renowned "shred" guitarist and Assistant Professor Joe Stump, who has performed with Slash, and members of Bon Jovi and Kiss, to internationally acclaimed vibraphonist, composer and Professor Victor Mendoza, one of today's finest Latin jazz artists. Students have the opportunity to learn from the real-world experience of these and other faculty members, as they study a variety of styles, including gospel, pop, r&b, rock, blues, funk, fusion, and straight-ahead jazz.

This year's "Berklee in LA" faculty also includes Bass Department Chair Rich Appleman, Asst. VP for International Programs Greg Badolato, Ear Training Associate Professor Scott deOgburn, Ear Training Professor Tony Germain, Woodwind Assistant Professor Dino Govoni, Percussion Department Assistant Chair Yoron Israel, Guitar Associate Professor Mark White, and Ensemble Associate Professor Carolyn Wilkins.

On Sunday afternoon, August 3, an opening concert by Berkleešs esteemed faculty welcomes students and family members, offering a sample of the fun that the program has in store. "Berklee in LA" students become immersed in music theory, ensembles, and improvisation, honing performance skills and stage techniques. Mornings are devoted to instrumental and theory classes, and afternoons to ensemble work. Informal evening jam sessions allow students maximum time for playing.

Students have the opportunity throughout the program to audition for a scholarship to help them attend Berklee as a full-time student. On Thursday evening, August 7, starting at 6:00 p.m., students, faculty, and family members gather for a final student concert and the awarding of $100,000 dollars in Berklee tuition scholarships. Since the "Berklee in LA" program began in 1990, the college has awarded over $600,000 in scholarships to participants.

Yamaha, Fender, Zildjian, Kawai, Shure Brothers, and Roland have graciously provided instruments for student use, in generous support of this program.

Berklee offers student musicians courses of study toward a fully accredited four-year baccalaureate degree or diploma. The broad-based curriculum includes majors in such fields as Performance, Composition, Music Production and Engineering, Film Scoring, Music Therapy, Music Business/Management, Music Synthesis, and Music Education.

Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music was through the study and practice of contemporary music. For over half a century, the college has evolved constantly to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. With over a dozen performance and nonperformance majors, a diverse and talented student body representing over 70 countries, and a music industry "who's who" of alumni, Berklee is the world's premier learning lab for the music of today -- and tomorrow.