Berklee College to Audition for Scholarships at Panama Jazz Festival

Before the featured artists for the Panama Jazz Festival step on stage, Berklee College of Music will have already put many of the country’s young talents in the spotlight to audition for the prize of music education. In the past two years, the college has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships for summer and full-time education. As part of the college’s unique worldwide search to identify outstanding musicians, a team of Berklee educators will conduct auditions and interviews on January 11 (Panamanian applicants), at Academia de Música La Nota (in front of the Multiplaza on Via Israel), 9 am-5 pm, and on January 15 (foreign applicants), at Ascanio Arosemena Theater (in classrooms behind the Theater), Panama Canal Authority, Balboa-Ancon, from 9 am-2 pm. They will select and announce winners on Saturday, January 17, at Cathedral Square, Old Panama City. Some of those chosen may attend Berklee as early as this summer.

Berklee administrators expect to see hundreds of musicians from Central and South America, possibly as far away as Chile for auditions, interviews and clinics. In addition to bringing musicians to Boston, Berklee is sending Music Production and Engineering and Music Synthesis professors to Panama for another type of scholarship, with audio and music technology production clinics and workshops. From January 12-16, 9 am to 6 pm, Berklee will offer innovative programs such as “Sampling Workshop Around Panama City” that will literally take participants outdoors (Summit Park, the Public Market, Central Avenue, and other landmarks) to capture material for their work. The schedule of these clinics is available at Amplifica Panama.org.

Pictured: Berklee Panama Jazz Quartet, left to right (first row): Jahaziel Arrocha, tenor saxophone; Jonathan Pinson, drummer; (second row) Shinichiro Sakaino, bass; Julian Shore (piano)

Originally Published January 8, 2009