The Berklee Performance Center is located at 136 Massachusetts Avenue, in Boston's historic Back Bay. The BPC, which is both the college's flagship performance space and one of Boston's most prestigious concert halls, is easily accessible by public transportation, with parking available in neighboring garages.
Tickets for events listed below are available at the Berklee Performance Center Box Office. Unless otherwise specified, ticket prices for these events are as follows:
Group
Two weeks before show
Day of show
General Public
$10.00
$10.00
Berklee students, faculty, and staff
Free
$2.00
Berklee Alumni
Free
$2.00
Must have Alumni ID
Senior Citizens
$5.00
$5.00
65 and older
Children 12-18
$5.00
$5.00
Children under 12
$2.00
$2.00
Children under 2
Free
Free
All children need a ticket regardless of age.
ProArts Students
Free
$2
Must have ProArts School ID
Please note:
Prices for some shows may vary. (Sovereign Series, Singers Showcase, visiting artist events, etc.)
Members of the Berklee Community are entitled to free tickets up until the day of the show. Number of available free tickets per Berklee/Pro-Arts ID will vary based on event.
All discounts are available only with a corresponding valid ID.
ProArts schools are Boston Conservatory, Emerson College, Massachusetts College of Art, The Museum School, and Boston Architectural Center.
Faculty member Larry Watson presents four student groups for a series of afternoon and evening recitals ranging from soul and rock to gospel and Motown. The performances fall on the anniversary of the day Rosa Parks made history when she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus. Click on the "details" link for set times and other information.
Faculty member Larry Watson presents four student groups for a series of afternoon and evening recitals ranging from soul and rock to gospel and Motown. The performances fall on the anniversary of the day Rosa Parks made history when she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, December 1, 1955.
4:00 p.m. Stage Performance Workshop–Singers will perform originals and pay tribute to Carole King, Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin, Perri, and the Winans.
5:00 p.m. Advanced Stage Performance Workshop–Veteran student vocalists will perform originals and music associated with the Brothers Johnson, Ray Charles Chaka Khan, Angela Bofield, Al Jarreau, and Peabo Bryson.
7:00 p.m. Foundations of Singing with Soul–Singers will tackle music by the Emotions, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, and Luther Vandross, among others.
8:00 p.m. Music of Motown–The finale concert features songs by Tina Marie, Switch, Diana Ross and the Supremes, and Gladys Knight and the Pips.
Recitals will run about 45 minutes long. Performance times are subject to change, without notice.
Berklee's premiere vocal event offers a variety of styles and musical settings for some of the college's exceptional singers. The outstanding lead singers will be chosen from more than 100 students who audition for a spot in this immensely popular concert.
Berklee's premiere vocal event offers a variety of styles and musical settings for some of the college's exceptional singers. The outstanding lead singers will be chosen from more than 100 students who audition for a spot in this immensely popular concert.
After more than 15 years making music, it's obvious Ohio duo Over the Rhine is in it for the long haul, and for keeps. Their commitment is underscored by their latest CD, The Trumpet Child, and its opening track, "I Wanna Waste Your Time," a manifesto of sorts for the artists recently named to Paste magazine's list of 100 Best Living Songwriters.
After more than 15 years making music, it's obvious Ohio duo Over the Rhine is in it for the long haul, and for keeps. Their commitment is underscored by their latest CD, The Trumpet Child, and its opening track, "I Wanna Waste Your Time," a manifesto of sorts for the artists recently named to Paste magazine's list of 100 Best Living Songwriters.
Video Game Orchestra is once again returning to the Berklee Performance Center to perform contemporary, orchestral video game music with a symphony, choir, and rock band.
Video Game Orchestra is once again returning to the Berklee Performance Center to perform contemporary, orchestral video game music with a symphony, choir, and rock band.
Advanced Tickets: $15 general, $10 students & 18 or younger; Day of Show: $20 general, $15 students & 18 or younger, reserved seating
An evening of gospel music featuring Berklee’s Reverence Gospel Ensemble, Women of Virtue, Overjoyed, and Men of Valor, under the direction of Dennis Montgomery.
An evening of gospel music featuring Berklee’s Reverence Gospel Ensemble, Women of Virtue, Overjoyed, and Men of Valor, under the direction of Dennis Montgomery.
Phil Wilson Presents the Berklee Rainbow Band: A Lifetime Celebration
A product of America's rich aural folk tradition as well as classical and flamenco music, Mark O'Connor's creative journey began at the feet of a pair of musical giants. The first was the folk fiddler and innovator who created the modern era of American fiddling in the 1940s, Benny Thomasson; the second, French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli. Between these musical extremes, O'Connor absorbed knowledge and influence from the multitude of musical styles and genres he studied. Now, at age 47, he has melded and shaped these influences into a new American classical music, and a vision of an entirely American school of string playing.
A product of America's rich aural folk tradition as well as classical and flamenco music, Mark O'Connor's creative journey began at the feet of a pair of musical giants. The first was the folk fiddler and innovator who created the modern era of American fiddling in the 1940s, Benny Thomasson; the second, French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli. Between these musical extremes, O'Connor absorbed knowledge and influence from the multitude of musical styles and genres he studied. Now, at age 47, he has melded and shaped these influences into a new American classical music, and a vision of an entirely American school of string playing.
With Mark O'Connor, one of the most talented and imaginative artists working in music today, Berklee celebrates American and roots music in a big way. O'Connor will perform with the Berklee Jazz/World String Orchestra and the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra, as well as small bluegrass groups, all of which are composed of Berklee students.
With Mark O'Connor, one of the most talented and imaginative artists working in music today, Berklee celebrates American and roots music in a big way. O'Connor will perform with the Berklee Jazz/World String Orchestra and the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra, as well as small bluegrass groups, all of which are composed of Berklee students.
A product of America's rich aural folk tradition as well as classical and flamenco music, Mark O'Connor's creative journey began at the feet of a pair of musical giants. The first was the folk fiddler and innovator who created the modern era of American fiddling in the 1940s, Benny Thomasson; the second, French jazz violinist, Stephane Grappelli. Between these musical extremes, O'Connor absorbed knowledge and influence from the multitude of musical styles and genres he studied. Now, at age 47, he has melded and shaped these influences into a new American classical music, and a vision of an entirely American school of string playing. As the Los Angeles Times noted, he has "crossed over so many boundaries, that his style is purely personal."
O'Connor's first recording for the Sony Classical record label, Appalachia Waltz, was a collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer. The works O'Connor composed for the disc, including its title track, gained worldwide recognition for him as a leading proponent of a new American musical idiom. His follow-up release, Appalachian Journey, received a Grammy Award in 2001. With more than 200 performances, his first full length orchestral score Fiddle Concerto has become the most-performed modern violin concerto. Fanfare for the Volunteer, recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Steven Mercurio, was released by Sony Classical in 1999. In 2000, O'Connor premiered his fourth violin concerto The American Seasons: Seasons of an American Life, at Troy Music Hall in Troy, New York; the work was commissioned to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the hall's concert series, and was recorded with the Metamorphosen chamber orchestra and released in 2001. In August 2000, O'Connor's third concerto, Double Violin Concerto, received its premiere with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and the second violin soloist and the Chicago Symphony, Christoph Eschenbach conducting. In 2003, O'Connor and Salerno-Sonnenberg recorded the work with Marin Alsop conducting the Colorado Orchestra. In J2001, O'Connor released Hot Swing! a tribute to his great friend and mentor, the legendary French jazz master, Stephane Grappelli. Released on his own OMAC label, the CD was recorded live with Frank Vignola on guitar and Jon Burr on bass. A new Hot Swing CD entitled Live In New York has been released, as well as a new group line-up for concerts with original member Frank Vignola on guitar, and new to the ensemble, guitarist Julian Lage, and bassist Gary Mazzaroppi. In 2003, O'Connor completed his fifth concerto, Double Concerto for violin and cello ("For the Heroes") and often performs the piece with cellist Maya Beiser and Symphony Orchestra. Also in 2003, O'Connor was commissioned by the Academy of St. Martin the Fields to compose a concerto for violin and chamber orchestra. Violin Concerto No. 6 "Old Brass" takes its inspiration from a Beaufort, South Carolina plantation designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The recording conducted by Joel Smirnoff was released in March, 2009. O'Connor has also formed a piano trio to perform his "Poets and Prophets" composition inspired by the music of Johnny Cash. He often performs it in a collaborative concert concept with Cash's daughter, Rosanne Cash. O'Connor has recently formed other ensembles including a String Quartet concert entitled Evening of Strings with chamber music legends Ida Kavafian, Paul Neubauer and Matt Haimovitz, performing O'Connor's music exclusively. O'Connor recently brought back to the stage his solo recital, a one-man unaccompanied violin concert which features his six caprices and three improvisations as the centerpieces of the tour de force performance.
As word of his considerable compositional talents has spread, O'Connor's musical works have been embraced by a variety of performers. Yo-Yo Ma has recorded the solo cello version of "Appalachia Waltz" and frequently performs it in recital. Renee Fleming has performed and recorded vocal arrangements O'Connor composed for her. The Eroica Trio performs his Poets and Prophets Piano Trio No. 1 regularly, a piece they commissioned from him in 2003. Sharon Isbin has recorded his duet for violin and guitar, several top classical violinists are performing his "Caprices" in recital, his flute concerto "The Fallen" has been performed by a number of flutists and is slated for recording by Carla Auld, Dance troupes, including Twyla Tharp Dance Co., the New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, are staging and choreographing to O'Connor's expressive American music, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra recently recorded his new Americana Symphony.
Mr. O'Connor regularly gives two-day residencies, lectures, demonstrations, or teaches workshops at a variety of prestigious musical programs. Some of his recent hosts include Juilliard School of Music, Harvard, Rice University, SUNY Fredonia, University Of Texas, Curtis Institute, Berklee College of Music, Eastman School of Music, Tanglewood, and Aspen Summer Festival. O'Connor will be the artist in residence at UCLA for the 2008-2009 season. He is the founder and president of the internationally recognized Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp and Strings Conference as well as the new Mark O'Connor String Camp. The Mark O'Connor String Institute at UCLA debuted this past summer. O'Connor resides in New York City.
Led Zeppelin's music has spanned generations and now you can experience it all live. Hammer of the Gods recreates the sights, sounds, and mystical aura of the real Zeppelin concert. Imagine stepping back in time. It's 1973 and you are seated at New York's Madison Square Garden; 100,000 watts of sonic brilliance and a spectacular array of lights explode as the band performs flawless renditions of all your favorite songs including "Kashmir," "Dazed and Confused," "Stairway to Heaven," and the thunderous assault of the classic "Moby Dick." A show for all ages.
"Hammer of the Gods has become a hot ticket!" —New York Times
Come see and hear what fans and critics are calling "The greatest Zeppelin show on earth."
The Berklee Performance Center has teamed up with rock CAN roll to "beat hunger." Please support this effort by bringing one healthy and nutritious nonperishable food item to the show. For a list of most needed foods, please visit rockCANroll.org.
One of Berklee's most popular ensembles. The funk and soul group performs the music of the famed Tower of Power band, creating a wall of energy with six vocalists, eight horns, and five rhythm players.
One of Berklee's most popular ensembles. The funk and soul group performs the music of the famed Tower of Power band, creating a wall of energy with six vocalists, eight horns, and five rhythm players.
Berklee celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Frank Loesser, one of the most influential composers for Hollywood and Broadway. This Broadway-style musical theater production will feature a 30-piece orchestra and 30 singers, with costumes, staging, and sets. The night will include selections from The Most Happy Fella, Candide, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, and more.
Berklee celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Frank Loesser, one of the most influential composers for Hollywood and Broadway. This Broadway-style musical theater production will feature a 30-piece orchestra and 30 singers, with costumes, staging, and sets. The night will include selections from The Most Happy Fella, Candide, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, and more.
Mark Shilansky plays original jazz and popular music with his quartet featuring Dino Govoni on sax and Mark Walker on drums, with special guests including vocalist Alison Wedding.
Mark Shilansky plays original jazz and popular music with his quartet featuring Dino Govoni on sax and Mark Walker on drums, with special guests including vocalist Alison Wedding.
The a cappella group Straight No Chaser has forged a unique style based on a combination of musical brilliance balanced with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor.
Straight No Chaser are neither straitlaced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch. As original member Randy Stine comments, "We take the music very seriously; we just don't take ourselves too seriously." In the process, they are reinventing the idea of modern pop a cappella.
Originally formed a dozen years ago while the members were students at Indiana University, the group has reassembled and reemerged as a phenomenon with a huge fan base, millions of viewers on YouTube, and a contract with Atlantic Records. In an era when so much pop music is the product of digital processing and ProTooling, Straight No Chaser is the real deal—the captivating sound of 10 unadulterated voices coming together to make extraordinary music.
The virtuosi of Canadian Brass have made the brass quintet an exciting vehicle for serious concert music. The quintet—now entering its 40th season—has a long history of recording classical repertoire. They have a special affinity for baroque music, which requires the brilliance and musical structure that has become the Canadian Brass's trademark.
The virtuosi of Canadian Brass have made the brass quintet an exciting vehicle for serious concert music. The quintet-now entering its 40th season-has a long history of recording classical repertoire. They have a special affinity for baroque music, which requires the brilliance and musical structure that has become the Canadian Brass's trademark.
Their more than 80 recordings to date include works by Purcell, Vivaldi, Gabrieli, Pachelbel, Beethoven, and Wagner—all in meticulously crafted transcriptions that are setting new musical traditions in brass performance. They are especially drawn to the works of J.S. Bach.
The Canadian Brass sprang from modest and highly experimental roots in Toronto, Ontario, in 1970. The brass quintet was not established as a serious concert ensemble at that time, and it proved an irresistible challenge to Gene and Chuck. Their imagination and consummate musicianship eventually elevated the art of the brass quintet to what it is today.
Thanks to their pioneer status, the quintet developed a unique character and rapport with audiences that proved so successful that it has been emulated by many other ensembles. Canadian Brass master the gamut of concert presentations—from formal classical concerts to music served up with lively dialogue and theatrical effects. No matter what the style, the music is central and performed with utmost dedication and excellence.
The "fab five" spend most of their time on tour, and have performed with many major symphony orchestras in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. They have gained a large international following of their solo performances that offer a large variety of musical styles.
Having started with the very limited base of traditional works for brass, Canadian Brass set out to create their own musical world by transcribing, arranging and commissioning more than 200 works; two of these have already become standard repertoire for brass quintets around the world, Quintet by Michael Kamen and Santa Barbara Sonata by Canadian composer/conductor Bramwell Tovey.
They are not only presenting works in the classical repertoire but continue to take daring leaps into jazz, contemporary concert music and popular songs. This has been most recently exemplified by collaborations with young baritone Giles Tomkins on his classical-crossover debut And So It Goes, and the Brass's release High Society, a collection of early jazz favorites arranged for the group by Duke Ellington's legendary collaborator Luther Henderson. Most of this music is published by Hal Leonard. It is the inspiration and musical staple of students and brass ensembles in North America and Europe.
Millions of television viewers have seen the Canadian Brass on such shows as The Tonight Show, Today, and Entertainment Tonight. They have appeared as guest artists on Evening at Pops with John Williams and the Boston Pops, Beverly Sills' Music Around the World, and numerous PBS specials. The quintet has also created eight videos that have gained an international audience and has just released a DVD that captures the group in performance over three decades, entitled Three Nights with Canadian Brass.
All members of the Canadian Brass are keenly interested in training the next generation of players. On their travels around the world, they often pause for master classes. The famous five are chamber quintet-in-residence at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California. Additionally, they have created an innovative brass summer course at the famous Eastman School of Music. They have been invited by the Canadian Government to play for visiting heads of states on numerous official occasions.
With four decades under their belts, Canadian Brass continues to fill concert halls and thrill audiences around the world, and they don't look like letting up anytime soon.
First Night Boston, Berklee College of Music, and WGBH 89.7 present Anat Cohen at the Berklee Performance Center on New Year's Eve, kicking off NPR's annual worldwide broadcast Toast of the Nation. The concert is a centerpiece of this year's First Night Boston festival. Entrancing audiences on both clarinet and saxophone, Berklee alumna Cohen is one of jazz's brightest young stars. Her quartet features Jason Lindner on piano, Joe Martin on bass, and Daniel Freedman on drums.
First Night Boston, Berklee College of Music, and WGBH 89.7 present Anat Cohen at the Berklee Performance Center on New Year's Eve, Thursday, December 31, kicking off NPR's annual worldwide broadcast Toast of the Nation. The concert is a centerpiece of this year's First Night Boston festival.
Entrancing audiences on both clarinet and saxophone, Berklee alumna Cohen is one of jazz's brightest young stars. She recently completed a week-long engagement at the legendary Village Vanguard in New York, and was named Clarinetist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. Her quartet features Jason Lindner on piano, Joe Martin on bass, and Daniel Freedman on drums.
Admission is $18 by purchase of a First Night button. Cohen performs two sets: 8:00 p.m. (WGBH 89.7 broadcast), and 9:30 p.m. Virtuoso jazz violinist Ben Powell performs the first set of the evening at 6:30 p.m. Each of the three performances will be seated separately. The Berklee Performance Center is located at 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston. Please call 617 747-2261 for more information.
New Year's Eve 2009 marks the sixth consecutive year that Berklee, WGBH 89.7, and NPR have collaborated to kick off the live holiday special Toast of the Nation. Heard on more than 200 NPR affiliate stations and NPR Worldwide, the show begins in Boston and moves across the country with live celebrations from Washington D.C., New York, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.
For local stations, broadcast times, and program information, please visit npr.org/stations and npr.org/music/toastofthenation. Hosted by Eric Jackson of WGBH's Eric in the Evening, the concert can be heard locally on WGBH 89.7 FM. Toast of the Nation is produced for NPR by WBGO-FM, Newark; WGBH Radio produces the Boston portion of the broadcast.
This unique show re-creates the experience of Elvis Presley's performances from the early '50s through the mid-'70s to let audiences grasp the real spirit of the King—as if Elvis himself were performing for them right here, right now.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal named Connolly the Best Elvis in Las Vegas. He has also been recognized by Bill Clinton, Dennis Miller, Donald Trump, and Steven Tyler for his outstanding performances.
Few have been able to blend so many different styles of music with authenticity and edge, yet throughout his career, Jerome Kyles has done just that. From hints of jazz, classical, r&b, and gospel, this evening will prove to be like all the others: magical!
Few have been able to blend so many different styles of music with authenticity and edge, yet throughout his career, Jerome Kyles has done just that. From hints of jazz, classical, r&b, and gospel, this evening will prove to be like all the others: magical!
Bop standards and originals; vocals with piano, bass, drums, guitar, trumpet, and saxophone. The instrumentalists really know the genre, having played it for decades.
Bop standards and originals; vocals with piano, bass, drums, guitar, trumpet, and saxophone. The instrumentalists really know the genre, having played it for decades.
Roots music is a chronicle of the ongoing story of America told through song. The Africana Studies program at Berklee presents students, faculty, and very special guests in a celebration of traditions from West Africa, the Caribbean, and rural America. *Please note: The band the Roots will not be performing at this show. Learn more about the event.
Roots music is a chronicle of the ongoing story of America told through song. The Africana Studies program at Berklee presents students, faculty, and very special guests in a celebration of traditions from West Africa, the Caribbean, and rural America. *Please note: The band the Roots will not be performing at this show. Learn more about the event.
From small group to large ensemble, recent works by faculty teaching in the Jazz Composition Department will be featured in this annual spring-semester concert.
From small group to large ensemble, recent works by faculty teaching in the Jazz Composition Department will be featured in this annual spring-semester concert.
Motown celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2009 with the bittersweet memory of Michael Jackson's electrifying performance at the 25th anniversary concert. In tribute, Berklee students and faculty artists perform the timeless music of Motown with a full orchestra.
Motown celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2009 with the bittersweet memory of Michael Jackson's electrifying performance at the 25th anniversary concert. In tribute, Berklee students and faculty artists perform the timeless music of Motown with a full orchestra.
This always-exciting show has earned a reputation for quality, diversity, and originality, featuring Berklee women students and their bands performing a wide range of music. One of the most unforgettable shows of the year. Produced by the WMN student club, directed by faculty Lucy Holstedt and Christiane Karam, and sponsored in part by the Office for Cultural Diversity.
This always-exciting show has earned a reputation for quality, diversity, and originality, featuring Berklee women students and their bands performing a wide range of music. One of the most unforgettable shows of the year. Produced by the WMN student club, directed by faculty Lucy Holstedt and Christiane Karam, and sponsored in part by the Office for Cultural Diversity.
One of Berklee's most popular groups, this funk and soul ensemble performs the music of the famed Tower of Power band, creating a wall of energy with six vocalists, eight horns, and a five-piece rhythm section.
One of Berklee's most popular groups, this funk and soul ensemble performs the music of the famed Tower of Power band, creating a wall of energy with six vocalists, eight horns, and a five-piece rhythm section.
Since arriving as a student at Berklee in 1960, Gary Burton has led groups that have defined the state of the art of jazz for five decades, while forming lasting relationships and receiving six Grammys. In this performance, Burton joins bandmates from his seminal groups to celebrate the music they've made together throughout the years.
Since arriving as a student at Berklee in 1960, Gary Burton has led groups that have defined the state of the art of jazz for five decades, while forming lasting relationships and receiving six Grammys. In this performance, Burton joins bandmates from his seminal groups to celebrate the music they've made together throughout the years.
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