If you’re an aspiring musician who’s looking to attend Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, then you probably already know its programs have churned out renowned artists such as John Mayer, Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, and many others. Since its establishment in 1945, the private school which is known as the largest college of contemporary music in the world has been a beacon for talented hopefuls who possess the elusive ear for greatness.
Today, it serves roughly 4,500 students (modest by headcount, but you have to remember that admissions are very selective). Beyond music-related studies like composition, film scoring, and paths that lean toward the business side of things, students flaunting the red and gray can pursue other liberal arts-centric studies that include history and psychology. Even mascot Mingus the Cat, who’s named after the famous jazz double bassist, agrees that this place is for the best of the best; it makes sense considering that pupils flock in from 100 countries outside the USA. Let’s take a look at some of the things there are to do on or near this historic campus. “Ba-da-dee-bop”!
Professors at the Berklee College of Music say one of the questions they’re posed most often by their undergraduates is, “So where can I gig around here?” Students don’t just come to the school to expand upon their music theory. They’re anxious to share their sound with Boston’s thriving music community. Feedback, of course, is as crucial to the learning process as anything else. The Red Room at Café 939 is an all-ages venue run by the university, which doesn’t discriminate in terms of genre. Rock, jazz, hip-hop, world, plus everything in between can be heard here. Holding around 200 people, it’s the perfect place for new groups to get their footing in the world of live entertainment. Additionally, the university hosts concerts for professional musicians here. It’s the spot to be.
College wouldn’t be college without a little studying. Learning doesn’t have to be a forced endeavor, though. Berklee College of Music attracts some of the brightest, most creative minds around. Whether it’s researching a term paper or maybe just looking for something that piques your intellectual noggin, Mary Baker Eddy Library located right on campus, has something worth reading on its eleven stories. Students are especially enthusiastic about exhibitions like The Mapparium, a three-story globe that you can actually go inside of, thanks to a bridge spanning its center.
If you’re interested in Berklee, check out 5 Things I Wish I had Known about Berklee College of Music written by a recent alum!
Need a break from all of those bar chords and homework assignments? If you’re a baseball fan, then head to nearby Fenway Park and catch a game on its famous field. Music students should also note that at least one major concert is held here every year. The artists? They’re not too shabby. The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney round out the more recent roster.
Speaking of music performances, The Berklee Performance Center (known as the BPC to most) is an obvious favorite among budding players. It’s owned and operated by the university just like The Red Room, but on a much larger scale. More than 200 high-profile events are hosted here every year. The venue boasts 1,215 seats, a state-of-the-art sound system and a fully automated box office system that busy-bee students will appreciate when it comes to getting those last-minute tickets.
Head to Kings after the show for some winding down with friends. This retro-inspired fun zone features bowling, alcoholic beverages, a lauded menu, as well as live music. Students frequent this spot thanks to its versatility as a place for dates, social meetups and family outings. Oh, and did we mention there’s fantastic music to be heard here? I think we did, but that’s the kind of thing that Berklee students like to hear again and again.
Ryan James is a ’13 alumnus of Ohio University’s College of Arts & Sciences with a bachelor’s degree in writing and media. He currently works as a copywriter for a Fortune 500 e-commerce corporation based in Columbus, OH.
Frequently asked questions
- What famous artists came out of Berklee College of Music?
- The post cites John Mayer, Quincy Jones, and Tony Bennett among the renowned artists Berklee's programs have churned out since the school was established in 1945.
- Where can Berklee students gig in Boston?
- The Red Room at Cafe 939, an all-ages venue run by the university that does not discriminate by genre and holds around 200 people. The university also hosts concerts for professional musicians there.
- What is the Mapparium?
- An exhibition at the Mary Baker Eddy Library on the Berklee campus: a three-story globe you can actually go inside of thanks to a bridge spanning its center.
- What is the Berklee Performance Center?
- The BPC is owned and operated by the university just like The Red Room, but on a much larger scale: more than 200 high-profile events a year, 1,215 seats, a state-of-the-art sound system, and a fully automated box office.
- Where do Berklee students wind down after a show?
- Kings, a retro-inspired fun zone near campus with bowling, alcoholic beverages, a lauded menu, and live music, popular for dates, social meetups, and family outings.
Sources
- Berklee College of Music, official site (linked in the original post)