Berklee raised over $1.5 million in support of the Berklee City Music program at the 2020 Encore Gala, which featured over 150 faculty, student, and alumni musicians from 23 countries, and an array of celebrity guests.
This years event, which was held virtually on Saturday, October 24, began with remarks from Berklee leadership, and included special guest appearances by Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest '07H, Gloria and Emilio Estefan '07H '16P, Quincy Jones '51 '83H, LL Cool J '24P, Alex Lacamoire B.M. '95 '19H, Rickey Minor, famed Red Sox player David Ortiz, and comedian Sinbad.
The importance of this City Music program that reaches kids from marginalized communities and gives them hope for a college education through music is, I think, a fantastic idea, said special guest and hip-hop pioneer LL Cool J. Music basically took me out of the inner city and it let me see the world.
Multiple Grammy Award-winner and music industry giant Quincy Jones '51 spoke about the importance of music to the students in the City Music program: Music has the power to change lives, and I say this from the bottom of my heart, because it absolutely saved mine. Jones is an alumnus and remains an active member of the Berklee community.
The Gala musical program consisted of an array of performances, highlighted by renowned singer-songwriter Jackson Browne and legendary vocalist and musician Steve Winwood 08H. Browne performed his hit The Pretender, and Winwood performed classics such as I'm a Man, Can't Find My Way Home, and Higher Love.
Various digital rooms showcased more live music, notably the Hip-Hop Room, which featured a performance by Daryl DMC McDaniels, founding member of the historic hip-hop group Run DMC, and DJ Charlie Chan Soprano. The night also featured performances by R&B/soul artist Dreion B.M. 20, jazz prodigy Grace Kelly B.M. 12, student and Latin music artist Esperanza Delgado, the Berklee Indian Ensemble, and alumni American roots band the Ruta Beggars.
Proceeds from the Encore Gala support Berklee City Music, a recognized leader in creative youth development. Founded over 26 years ago, City Music works with marginalized communities to help develop talented youth and provide them with pathways to college, both through in-person and virtual classrooms. City Music reaches thousands of students in Greater Boston and across the country, and provides vulnerable youth an opportunity to develop their talents and express their voices in a safe, supportive environment.
Copresenting sponsors included Abrams Capital and Bain Capital Community Partnership. Encore Gala cochairs included Michael and Barbara Eisenson, Jim and Judy O'Brien 14P, and David and Lori Sprows.
Related categories:
News
Related Reading
Encore Gala Raises $2.3 Million for Berklee City Music The 25th annual Encore Gala included guest musicians such as Chaka Khan, Grandmaster Flash, and Livingston Taylor.
Meet Five City Music Scholars Attending Five-Week This Summer Berklee awarded full-tuition scholarships to 60 young musicians taking part in the college's flagship summer program.
Berklee City Music Awards Seven Full-Tuition Scholarships The City Music program celebrated this years scholarship recipients with a virtual ceremony and concert on Tuesday, August 11.
More from Berklee Now
Most Popular
Berklee Partners with MIT to Help Students Get Paid for Their Music RAIDAR, a new licensing platform, makes it easier for student musicians to earn money from their songs and retain full control over their work.
Latest
Berklee's 26th Annual Encore Gala Raises More Than $1.5 Million This years Encore Gala was held virtually and featured Jackson Browne, Steve Winwood, Darryl DMC McDaniels, and many more.
Aja Burrell Wood Joins Board of Directors for New Music USA Wood, who is managing director for the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, will support New Music USA's mission of promoting new creative works through advocacy, grants, and more.
How Originality Took Tank and the Bangas from a New Orleans Cafe to a Grammy Nomination At a virtual Berklee Visiting Artist Series clinic, Tank and the Bangas talk about their origin, how they come up with such original tunes, and how the pandemic has affected them as a band.
Read All
Subscribe The latest sounds, stories, and ideas, sent to your inbox weekly.
Berklee Blogs
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Snapchat
Soundcloud
Spotify
North America Stories
19/03/2026
Berklee Popular Music Institute's 24th Showcase Channels '80s Prom Nosta...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
How Chris Bolte Builds the Sound of PlayStation Games Chris Bolte '16 is a technical sound designer at Sucker Punch Productions, where he helps create the...
19/03/2026
It's a double feature on GFN Thursday. This week, GeForce NOW offers smoother sights in virtual reality (VR) and a sprawling new land to conquer.
Streaming...
18/03/2026
Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4.
Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...
18/03/2026
SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...
18/03/2026
The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...
18/03/2026
(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...
18/03/2026
SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...
18/03/2026
Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...
18/03/2026
Brainstorm transforms productivity and sustainability with Suite 7 at NAB Show 2...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today unveiled its educational presentations for the 2026 NAB Show. This year SMPTE will ...
18/03/2026
Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, gaming, and more, today ann...
18/03/2026
Digital Alert Systems
Preview
2026 NAB Show
April 19 - 22
Booth C3452
At the 2026 NAB Show, Digital Alert Systems will showcase Version 6.0 of its DASDEC ...
18/03/2026
Setplex today announced that it will showcase its complete, fully integrated Zapflex platform for the first time at the 2026 NAB Show, introducing powerful new ...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking DP for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Director of Photography for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy Feature Film- I...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Location, Sound for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Location/Sound for Low Budget Dramed...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Film - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
Calrec Redefines Broadcast Workflows at NAB 2026 with its Most Powerful Hardware...
18/03/2026
Oscar Nominated Two People Exchanging Saliva Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio handle...
18/03/2026
Boston Conservatory Presents Celebrated Musical Satire Urinetown Performances for this Center Stage production will take place at Boston Conservatory Theater ...
18/03/2026
Charlie Puth Joins Switched on Pop at Berklee NYC The Berklee alum spoke with host and Berklee NYC professor Charlie Harding for a live taping, answering audi...
18/03/2026
Back to All News
Preparatevi Alla Terza E Ultima Stagione De La Legge di Lidia ...
18/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Drops Teaser and First Look Images for The Chestnut M...
17/03/2026
NASA+'s Rebecca Sirmons and Brittany Brown offer unique look at live streami...
17/03/2026
The transition to IP has fundamentally reshaped professional media infrastructures. Video, audio, and increasingly metadata now circulate as independent, precis...
17/03/2026
Live sports streaming can push every element in your video delivery chain to its limit, exposing every potential weakness in seconds. When the Super Bowl, the O...
17/03/2026
Texas Athletics sought to modernize its media production, enhance fan experience...
17/03/2026
Ikegami USA will demonstrate the latest additions to its wide range of broadcast...
17/03/2026
TNA Wrestling and iHeartMedia announces a new multi-platform collaboration that will integrate iHeartMedia across TNA's premium live events, weekly televisi...
17/03/2026
The goal was to transform Hard Rock Stadium into a global leader in sports and e...
17/03/2026
Spectrum has announced the launch of its new Multiview feature in the Spectrum TV App, giving customers the ability to watch up to four NCAA men's or women&...
17/03/2026
Genius Sports deal also covers data technology, AI, fan engagement, and performance analysis....
17/03/2026
Net Insight is supporting the rollout of a new state-wide centralized operation with Rede Massa, which is an SBT affiliate, the Brazilian regional television ne...
17/03/2026
Featuring audio from practice sessions, qualifying races, and Grand Prix races, the film represents Apple's sports-media ambitions
At Sunday night's Ac...
17/03/2026
Live broadcast has always been one of the most demanding environments in media a...
17/03/2026
DirecTV is introducing several new viewing features, including a multi-screen March Madness Mix channel and an updated Sports Central mobile app hub, ahead of...
Berklee raised over $1.5 million in support of the Berklee City Music program at the 2020 Encore Gala, which featured over 150 faculty, student, and alumni musicians from 23 countries, and an array of celebrity guests. 
