Klarinet Archive - Posting 000030.txt from 2005/05

From: "Lacy, Edwin" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] Berkeley Music Institute
Date: Mon, 02 May 2005 13:12:21 -0400

Re: the comparison of Berklee with Indiana, North Texas, Eastman, etc.

Berklee is an entirely different kind of institution than the other
universities listed here. They are what might be called full-service
music schools, with a wide range of degree offerings, types of
ensembles, etc. Berklee, in contrast, is a proprietary music school.
They list themselves as having thousands of students and hundreds of
faculty members. However, in each case a large proportion of those are
part-time students or teachers. That's not necessarily a negative in
every case. However, it points out again the differences in a school
such as Berklee and a traditional university.

Berklee can be an excellent choice for certain people, with specific
needs and specific abilities. However, I have known students who went
there thinking that they were going to be studying with world-class
teachers on their instrument, only to find that you have to be there for
a long time and establish yourself as one of the student superstars
before you will get an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the
greats. Some have also found that having great credentials as a
performer does not necessarily preclude being a great teacher, nor does
it guarantee the same. Of course, this can be said about some
performer/teachers at any school.

Ed Lacy
University of Evansville

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