5115 research outputs found
Sort by
Dr. Leonard J. Lehrman on Continuator
No full textJudy Pinnolis, Associate Director, Instruction and Engagement at the Library at Berklee talks with Dr. Dr. Leonard J. Lehrman, author of Continuator: The Autobiography of a Socially-Conscious, Cosmopolitan Composer.https://remix.berklee.edu/library-books-at-berklee/1030/thumbnail.jp
Finding a Songwriter\u27s Voice
No full textIn this project, I document my journey as a bassist and composer of instrumental music into the world of writing song lyrics. Looking to incorporate my lifelong interest in words, literature, and prose writing into the music I create, I teach myself the craft of lyric writing via attentive listening and analysis of lyrics by songwriters whom I admire, intentional experimentation with various dimensions of lyric writing (such as point-of-view, rhyme scheme, and song structure), and the exploration of new approaches on the guitar (namely, open tunings and fingerstyle plucking) to facilitate the music I compose to my lyrics. As a result of this work, I present eight finished original songs, four of which I recorded and will release as my first EP, marking the beginning of an additional musical identity for myself as a songwriter. I document my writing process behind each song, showing the influences and techniques I incorporated into my work, my development as a lyricist through the lessons each song provided, and culminating in the method I developed for myself for writing songs by putting the lyrics first, which may be of use to other instrumentalists looking to begin writing their own lyrics.https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-contemporary-performance/1319/thumbnail.jp
Clamo a Dios, al Altisímo
No full textThis project, “Clamo Dios al Altisimo,” was unique in its collaboration because it is not often that someone such as myself will come from the United States to Spain and develop such a deep connection with a Gospel choir in Valencia. This was not only a collaboration with people from Spain, but it was an international merging of cultures through the many different sounds that my classmates and I brought from our different countries around the world. Through this deep connection, I was able to find more of my voice and my place within the music industry. I am able to now reflect on the experience of the joint collaboration concert with Coro Goria and Berklee Valencia. We were able to present Gospel music in a way that is not so common by incorporating the fusion of sounds from different influences of Black Gospel music, Latin American music, and of course music that is authentic to Spain. This moment was very impactful and it also left a lasting impression on the community of Valencia and people afar because the people of Spain really enjoy Gospel music. Many were able to connect with my colleagues and I with very open minds.https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-contemporary-performance/1329/thumbnail.jp
Madame X/The Brain That Wouldn\u27t Die
No full textWhen rumors swirl about John Singer Sargent’s secret romance with his male muse, the famed painter hatches a bold plan: paint the most beautiful woman in Paris and let the world believe she’s his lover. But the cover-up backfires, igniting a scandal that threatens his art, his love, and his legacy. In 1880s Paris appearances are everything, and homosexuality and divorce are taboo. In this show, each character must choose: live within the safety of a facade, or live authentically and risk everything./The Brain That Wouldn’t Die is a musical adaptation of the 1962 sci-fi cult-classic film. A surgeon named Jan wishes to be recognized for her intellect rather than her beauty, a wish that takes an ironic turn when she is decapitated in a car accident. Her mad scientist husband, Bill, then manages to bring her head back to life, setting in motion a 72-hour race against time to find her a new body. Fueled by B-movie camp and a retro-modern score, this show is a hilarious, satirical take on the absurd pursuit of perfection.https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-cmat/1189/thumbnail.jp
over love
No full textI accidentally met someone who gave me the happiest year of my life, and I was given a choice: get a computer science job and never live outside of Connecticut, just so I could be close to her, or take the gamble on graduate school, take the gamble on music, on our relationship, and move to New York. This project is the story of us, of her and I, immortalized forever. From our unexpected encounter that sparked something between us, to some of my greatest highs and lows, to the end of it all, because sometimes life just gets in the way.https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-cmat/1131/thumbnail.jp
Awakening
No full textAwakening is a five-song original composition project fusing electronic pop and melodic dubstep sounds for the purpose of describing emotional states, individual rebirth, and cinematic narrative. Influenced by the soundscapes of Seven Lions and Far Out, the project merges rich synthesizer timbres, expressively-treated vocals, orchestral timbre, and aggressive bass for the purpose of developing rich soundscapes. Each song embodies a distinct emotional phase—varying from vulnerability and personal struggle to clarity and catharsis—corresponding with the process of waking up to one\u27s true self. The production process entailed crafting distinct soundscapes using analog synths and multi-layered vocal textures, with the goal of providing simultaneous musical impact and emotional profundity. Visual supplements like the Journey Video and the Long Form Video complement the storytelling by sharing the technical process and creative intent behind the music. Awakening serves as a culmination of my studies at Berklee NYC, representing not only technical and compositional growth but also a deepened personal voice as an electronic music artist.https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-cmat/1153/thumbnail.jp
Business Plan : STU.PID
No full textThis project presents a business plan for STU.PID, a branded livestreaming platform built to support emerging global artists by connecting them with Gen Z audiences, especially Third Culture Kids (TCKs) through casual and real-time content. The idea was to offer something different from traditional artist promotion by focusing on unscripted formats that show the creative process as it really is. Content included livestreamed interviews (STU.TALKS), collaborative music making (THE COOK-UP), and on the ground segments (STU.PID IN PUBLIC), all designed to bring artists and fans closer together. The platform emphasized strong visual identity and consistent content across Twitch and Instagram. While the audience response was encouraging, the original monetization plan using Twitch subscriptions did not prove effective. Feedback suggested that brand partnerships and artist campaigns may be a more sustainable path forward. The project clarified key strengths in creative direction, live content production, and digital strategy. It also demonstrated that there is long-term potential for STU.PID to grow either as its own platform or as a creative service for artists, labels, and partners in the music industry.https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-global-entertainment-business/1406/thumbnail.jp
Strings of Identity: The convergence of Choro and Global Jazz in the 10-String Mandolin
No full textThis project explores the innovative combination of Brazilian Choro and Global Jazz through the 10-string mandolin, reflecting my personal and musical identity while opening new sonic dimensions for the instrument. Motivated by a desire to expand approaches in Choro and mandolin with the creative freedom of Jazz, I composed seven original pieces that blend Choro’s melodic tradition with Global Jazz concepts, including Tetrachords, Zero Gravity, Comprovisation, and Fear Training. The research explores the mandolin’s polyphonic potential, new harmonic pathways, and rhythmic complexity, proposing a fresh approach to interpreting and performing the instrument. A meaningful experience at the Panama Jazz Festival reinforced my understanding of music as a tool for social impact, cultural exchange, and education, inspiring the project’s commitment to these dimensions. Additionally, the project addresses Choro’s historically male-dominated tradition by advocating for inclusion, mentorship, and gender equity in musical spaces. This work contributes to the field by offering new techniques, creative models, and educational resources that encourage dialogue, empathy, and collaboration, showing how tradition can be honored while inviting innovation to build a more connected and socially conscious musical community.https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-global-jazz/1189/thumbnail.jp
Ghost Stories: Towards a Surrealist, Black Feminist Body Politic
No full textDrawing from Black feminist and radical thinkers including Audre Lorde, David Drake, Nikki Giovanni, bell hooks, Toni Morrison, and Octavia Butler, this project explores themes of embodiment and liberation, through the lens of a ghost perspective , asking: how can the catharsis of dealing with feeling “unalive” as Black bodies actually help one feel more embodied, less alone, and better able to live authentically?https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-global-jazz/1180/thumbnail.jp
Preach!: An R&B and Hip Hop Collective
No full textPreach! Is a four track EP that explores the emotional and rhythmic potential of contemporary R&B and Hip Hop which are two genres that have deep historic roots which are continuously developing with modern innovations in sound and technology. Rather than dividing the project into two distinct discs or sides, the project aims at providing the listeners with a cohesive experience that draws equally and simultaneously from the melodic and intimate aspects of R&B and the energetic and rhythmic boldness of Hip Hop. Preach! focuses on emotional storytelling, vocal vulnerability and innovative production techniques where each track contributes to a narrative that centers around themes of love, introspection, identity and flagrant habits. Drawing influence from artists like 6LACK, 50 Cent and Kanye, this project is genre blending and is forward thinking.https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-production-technology/1428/thumbnail.jp