A Vision for Berklee College of Music in 2015

March 1, 2005

Berklee will be the world's leading institute of contemporary music. Attracting diverse and talented students passionate about careers in music, we will offer a comprehensive and relevant curriculum in music and liberal arts. We will engage an unparalleled faculty of inspiring educators and cutting-edge industry professionals, provide state-of-the-art facilities for learning and living, and produce tomorrow's leaders of the global music community.

The following principles will guide the development of strategies to achieve the college vision.

1. The student experience is rich and multi-dimensional and gives students the skills and competencies they need to succeed in careers in music and in life:

Berklee educates musicians to be creative, collaborative, passionate, and musically literate; to be strong communicators who are adaptable, tolerant, and open to new ideas; to be problem solvers and entrepreneurs who know how to use technology; to be good citizens of the world who possess a global view.
A unique Berklee approach to admissions is developed to balance motivation, musical and intellectual potential, accomplishment, and training with the ability to succeed at Berklee and after.
Significant scholarship support is available to make Berklee affordable and accessible for exceptional students.
All students have access to a wealth of programs designed to educate the whole person, such as experiential and community-service learning; study-abroad programs; enriched and integrated general education courses; a meaningful and relevant core music curriculum; focused concentrates and electives; online courses, resources, and services; physical fitness programs; and personal development, career advising, and counseling.

2. The scale of the college is determined by our ability to attract students who can benefit from the Berklee experience and by our capacity to support them with quality facilities and infrastructure:

The acquisition of new facilities relieves overcrowding and strain on current classrooms, studios, ensemble rooms, and performance spaces.
The learning environment is enhanced by new student-life facilities, faculty offices, and space for student/faculty interaction and by meeting the technology needs of the curriculum.
The campus environment reinforces learning both within and outside of the classroom.
Careful planning of new facilities enhances the sense of a Berklee campus community.
The teaching, learning, living, and working needs of a 21st-century music education shape the design of facilities and supporting services.
Additional quality housing is available to meet student needs.
Any future growth of the on-campus student community is consciously planned and predicated on adequate facilities and infrastructure.

3. The innovative ideas on which the college was founded are applied to the new circumstances of the 21st century:

Curriculum and teaching methods for emerging styles of music are continually developed, assessed, and redefined.
Faculty at the cutting edge of contemporary music, technology, business, and production are recruited, supported, and retained.
Cross-departmental interaction, teaching, and cooperation is encouraged.
Artistic expression and practical training coexist and are mutually supportive.
Students learn to more deeply understand the musical traditions and the cultural context of the music they study.
Innovative online, community-based, and special programs enhance the learning experience and provide additional reach for a Berklee education.
Berklee connects with the music industry via our research, networking, teaching, curriculum, and publishing initiatives.
Bold ideas and initiatives to keep music education current with music practice are broadly supported.

4. Berklee is an inspirational place to learn, teach, and work:

A diverse group of students, alumni, faculty, and staff from around the world form an open, dynamic, and supportive music community where lifelong friendships are formed.
The community sets high standards for achievement and supports them with growth and development opportunities alongside honest appraisal and evaluation programs for all students, faculty, and staff.
The college strives for diversity of opinion, openness to new ideas, commitment to excellence, and a willingness to challenge oneself define the community.
Berklee is an open, welcoming, and inclusive culture for women and men, and people of different religious beliefs, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation, abilities, cultures, learning styles, and musical preferences.
Alumni have a strong sense of connection to their college through online services, networking, and career development programs.
Mutually supportive relationships are continued and expanded with international and City Music partner schools to build a global Berklee community.
Berklee's mission is visible and well understood.
All members of the community know they are valued and vital to the overall success of the college.
Curriculum and teaching methods for emerging styles of music are continually developed, assessed, and redefined.
Faculty at the cutting edge of contemporary music, technology, business, and production are recruited, supported, and retained.
Cross-departmental interaction, teaching, and cooperation is encouraged.
Artistic expression and practical training coexist and are mutually supportive.
Students learn to more deeply understand the musical traditions and the cultural context of the music they study.
Innovative online, community-based, and special programs enhance the learning experience and provide additional reach for a Berklee education.
Berklee connects with the music industry via our research, networking, teaching, curriculum, and publishing initiatives.
Bold ideas and initiatives to keep music education current with music practice are broadly supported.