The Berklee College of Music announced that their New York City graduate program recently celebrated its graduation with a commencement ceremony at Lincoln Center.
On Sunday, June 29, Berklee NYC honored its largest cohort of Master’s recipients in the Appel Room of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall.
Betsie Becker, acting executive director of Berklee NYC and Power Station at Berklee NYC, and David Bogen, interim president and provost of Berklee College of Music, conferred degrees to 119 scholars and four post-master’s fellows. The graduates were recipients of one-year Master of Arts degrees in creative media and technology, specializing in either songwriting and production, live music production and design, or writing and design for musical theatre. Music for the ceremony was even written and produced by the graduates, with the processional written by Power Station at Berklee NYC alumnus and staff member Glenn Forsythe (Class of 2008).
The commencement speech was given by Grammy and Tony award-winning musician and composer Charlie Rosen, a Berklee graduate of the class of 2012. This past February, Rosen took home the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album as orchestrator of the Broadway smash hit Some Like It Hot. In 2022, Rosen and his band, 8-Bit Big Band, received the Grammy for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella. Rosen has won two Tony Awards for Best Orchestration for his work on Moulin Rouge! The Musical (2020) and A Strange Loop (2023).
Rosen, who is also a cancer survivor, gave a rousing speech to the graduates and fellows, inspiring each to pursue their creativity, even in the face of an incredibly difficult, competitive industry. Other keynote speakers were Xenia Rubos (Class of 2006), an assistant professor of songwriting and production, and songwriting and production scholar Tamieyah Johnson, who delivered remarks on behalf of her fellow graduates.
“This industry and this city can be challenging and unpredictable. Having a community around you of people who understand your struggles, share your passion, and celebrate your successes is invaluable. They will help you navigate the uncertainties, celebrate your victories, and provide solace during tough times,” said Rosen. “As a recent cancer survivor, I can attest most to the power of the support system of friends and peers. If there is one thing I continue to learn, it’s that no one succeeds in this industry alone. The connections you have made at Berklee are just the beginning.”
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