Berklees Top News and Stories of 2023

Berklees Top News and Stories of 2023 From AI in the classroom to music licensing 101, 50 years of hip-hop to the next great American jam band, take a look at where the last year brought us.

By

Bryan Parys

December 20, 2023

Image by Elizabeth Friar

How do you tell the story of a year?

The short answer, of course, is that you cant. Who can predict how many students will look back at a class they took in 2023, for example, and say, yes, that was the moment my career began? And while this year marked the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the genres clearly not done evolving, so its not for us to try and understand this years beginnings and endings.

Instead, we collected just a handful of moments from the Berklee community that inspired, that challenged, that brought recognition, that expanded minds. Take a look below to get a sense of where we are, and imagine what stories may come next.

Career Advice from Donald Glover

How Donald Glover Built a Career as a Multi-Hyphenate Artist

Make sure that your point of view is sharp and that you know who you are, and you know who youre speaking to. -Donald Glover

Berklee SVP Featured on Reuters and NBC

Lacretia Johnson Flashs Ancestral Journey Is a Call to Stay Connected to History

This story gives the world a vivid example of the intergenerational consequences of systemic racism carried out through routine policies and practices.-Lacretia Johnson Flash

corook Goes Viral on TikTok and Beyond

Viral TikTok Song If I Were a Fish Is a Joyous Call for Acceptance

After their ode to being different went viral, Corinne Savage B.M. 17, who performs as corook, expanded on their savvy blend of humor and sincerity on a new EP.

Advancing with the Latest Technology

What Does New AI Technology Mean for Artists?I can only imagine AI will get more powerful, and with great power comes great responsibility.

-Ben Camp

Everything Is Music to Instrument Inventor Akito van Troyers EarsI want to create the most original sounds. Original sound counts when youre making new music.

-Akito van Troyer

How Generative AI Is Change College ClassesI am concerned about [AI] not making its way into classrooms fast enough. I think we need to first engage with it before we can understand its risks and downfalls.

-Sherry Li

Artistry in the Algorithms: Music in the Age of AIIt used to cost a million dollars to create an album, then $10,000, and now $1,000. To me, generative AI is just . . . the next evolution of enabling more people to be creative.

-Jonathan Bailey 08

Pathways to the Industry

Music Licensing 101: How to Sync Your Music

The person that youre sitting next to can be tomorrows executive that you need a favor from, that can put you onto your next opportunity.-Dom Jones B.M. 19

EA Scholarship Helps Composer Katie Rupinski Close the Gender Gap in the Game IndustryThis scholarship has been an absolute fever dream of just amazing opportunities. I feel so prepared.

-Katie Rupinski B.M. 23

Inside the Ever-Changing Job of a Talent Buyer[At C3 Presents] we have the opportunity to dive into all these different areas we want . . . so you can kind of jump outside of your job and get experience in other areas.

-Nicol Kuburoglu B.M. 22

Alumni Shape the Cultural Landscape

Podcast: Both Sides of Goose, Americas Premier Jam Band

It's such a different energy in the studio than it is live. And often times we'll get into the studio, and we're trying to track a song that we played live hundreds of times, and you realize very quickly that what works live does not necessarily translate the same way we work in the studio.-Ben Atkind

Illuminati Hotties Sarah Tudzin Sings in Star Wars: Ahsoka First EpisodeI was of course excited to help, but when I knew the cue was all about going full-gremlin mode, I knew I could crush it[.]

-Sarah Tudzin B.M. 14

Hong Kong Indie Artist cehryl Faces Her FearsI just navigate my fears and doubts by precisely cataloging them. When I read them back, I realize how silly or hypocritical some of them are.

-Cheryl Chow B.M. 17

Faculty Experts Spark Conversation

From Turntables to Samplers: The Gear That Made Hip-Hop

Marking 50 years of hip-hop, Prince Charles Alexanders new book explores the role new technology played in helping hip-hop become a global juggernaut.

Why Are Fans Throwing Things at Artists?I think its okay to say, Hey, can you stop throwing chicken nuggets? Youre hitting my friend in the back of the head.'

-Morgan Milardo

Podcast: What Does Science Sound Like?This is this incredible age of discovery. And I think music and art can open that up, and make us more curious, more reflective, and hopefully more grateful as well.

-David Ibbett

Lost Coltrane Album Still Sounds Like Freedom[This lost album] offers another example of the power of courageous musicians to inspire hope, innovation, and empowerment through sound.

-Emmett G. Price III

Berklee Today: A Legacy of Her OwnThe guitar is my instrument and there is nothing I do with it that is not deeply felt.

-Berta Rojas

Curated Playlists

15 of the Best Cover Songs (and Why They Work)

From Fast Car to Ring of Fire, there's no formula to making a successful cover song. But the best covers answer two important questions: why this song, and why this performance?

Queer Artists Who Made Music HistoryThis playlist pays tribute to the queer roots of genres ranging from classical to electronic dance music to hip-hop.

Why Some of Us Cant Stand Holiday MusicListen to a playlist of winter songs that ditches the festive baggage.

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