Berklee Celebrates 40 Years of Singers Showcase Concerts with Madonna Tribute

Berklee Celebrates 40 Years of Singers Showcase Concerts with Madonna Tribute The interdisciplinary student production will pay homage to four boundary-breaking decades of music from the Queen of Pop.

By

Tori Donahue

November 14, 2023

Image courtesy of Getty Images

Getty Images

Berklee's Signature Series will close out its fall season with two performances of Singers Showcase 40th Anniversary Special: Holiday-Four Decades of Madonna, which celebrate 40 years of the Singers Showcase, the college's longest running concert series. Performances will take place on Thursday, December 7 and Friday, December 8, at 8:00 p.m. at the Berklee Performance Center.

Produced by Maureen McMullan '09, the performance will feature a global collective of Berklee's brightest talents, including vocalists, instrumentalists, arrangers, conductors, dancers, choreographers, track producers, EDI artists, and visual designers. Against an immersive backdrop of original art and iconography from Madonna's career, the cast will share their eclectic blend of artistry, styles, cultures, and inspired live interpretations of the singers greatest hits. As the bestselling female recording artist of all time, Madonna continues to leave an indelible mark on the world through her pioneering contributions to contemporary music, fashion, dance, music videos, film, popular culture, activism, and humanitarian leadership. The concert will also feature drummer Omar Hakim, who has frequently performed with Madonna.

Showcasing the craft and artistry of over 120 students from 30 countries, this two-night spectacular will be full of high energy and unbridled creativity, just like every Madonna concert. We're also thrilled to announce our special guest, the legendary drummer and recent Zildjian Hall of Fame inductee, Omar Hakim, who has performed with Madonna herself, Sting, David Bowie, and Miles Davis, among many others. This performance will also feature the work of a world-class choreographic team of dance faculty from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, making the event even more special, said McMullan.

About MadonnaAchieving levels of power, artistic control, and independence that were nearly unprecedented for a woman in the entertainment industry, Madonna revolutionized how female artists were marketed and promoted, bringing in a new era of female empowerment and self-expression through art. Propelled by her talent, work ethic, and larger-than-life stage presence, she fearlessly experimented with various musical styles and pushed creative boundaries, allowing her to stay relevant and continue to evolve as an artist. Throughout her career, Madonna has leveraged her immense popularity and global platform for good, breaking down social barriers, challenging the public perception of gender roles and sexuality, and serving as an outspoken advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, and political causes.

About Singers ShowcaseSince 1983, Singers Showcase has offered Berklees vocal students, initially among the smallest cohorts with around 120 students, expanded opportunities to audition and perform. Today, voice principals account for the largest instrumental group at Berklee. Alumni Susan Tedeschi 91, Paula Cole B.M. '90, Lalah Hathaway 90, Robin McKelle 99, Jackie Foster B.M. 18, Grace Kinstler 21, and Qveen Herby B.M. 08 all performed in Singers Showcase concerts as students. Over the last 40 years, Singers Showcase has evolved into one of the most popular productions at the institution. With an unwavering commitment to performing arts excellence and the power of music to bring people together, the series seeks to represent the full breadth, depth, and diversity of our incredible student body, and features a wealth of instrumentation, majors, and creative specializations across the institution.

Singers Showcase 40th Anniversary Special: Holiday-Four Decades of Madonna will take place on Thursday, December 7, and Friday, December 8, at 8:00 p.m. at the Berklee Performance Center, located at 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston. Admission is $15-$20 in advance and $20-$25 day of show. Tickets are available online and at the Berklee box office.

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