Home > Berklee College of Music

Berklee was founded by Lawrence Berk and was originally named Schillinger House of Music, after his teacher Joseph Schillinger. Berk changed the name to Berklee School of Music after his son Lee Berk in 1954, and after the school received its accreditation, the name was changed to Berklee College of Music in 1973.

At the time of its founding, almost all music schools focused primarily on classical music. The original mission of Berklee was to provide formal training in jazz, rock, and other popular music not available at other music schools.

1 Facilities

• 13 buildings in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood
• a practice & rehearsal building in Boston's Allston- Brighton neighborhood

2 Majors

• Performance
• Composition
• Jazz Composition
• Music Production & Engineering
• Film ScoringA film score is the background music in a film, generally specially written for the film and often used to heighten emotions provoked by the imagery on the screen or by the dialogue. In many instances, film scores are performed by orchestras, which vary i
• Music Business/Management
• Music Synthesis
• Contemporary Writing & Production
• Music Education
• Songwriting
• Music TherapyMusic therapy is the use of music in therapy. Music therapists are found in every area of the helping professions, though some of the most commonly found practices include developmental work (communication, motor skills, etc. with individuals with special
• Professional Music

3 Prominent alumni

• Will Calhoun
• Bruce CockburnBruce Cockburn (born May 27, 1945) is a Canadian folk/rock guitarist and singer/songwriter. His last name is pronounced "Coburn". He has recorded over 25 albums, and written songs ranging from sophisticated and soulful folk music to jazz-influenced rock t
• Mike PortnoyMike Portnoy is a drummer in the progressive rock band Dream Theater. Mike Portnoy was born on April 20, 1967 and raised in Long Beach, New York, where his interest in music started at an early age. Although Portnoy taught himself how to play the drums, h, John PetrucciJohn Petrucci is the guitarist and a founding member of the progressive metal group Dream Theater. He is widely recognized as one of the most technically and musically gifted guitarists of his time. Born July 12, 1967, John first played guitar at age 8, b, and John MyungJohn Ro Myung is the bassist of Dream Theater His beginning He was born on January 24, 1967. He began playing violin at the age of five and then moved to electric bass when he was fifteen. Then he went to the Berklee College of Music which is located in B of Dream Theater (Dropped Out)
• Melissa Etheridge
• Kevin Eubanks
• Donald Fagen
• Quincy Jones
• John Mayer
• Trey Parker (Dropped Out)
• Brian Transeau (Dropped Out)
• Steve Vai
• Gillian Welch and David Rawlings