Berklee Celebrates Taylor Swift in Signature Series Concert
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Berklee’s Signature Series continues with Great American Songbook: Fearless–The Music of Taylor Swift on Thursday, March 3, at 8:00 p.m. at the Berklee Performance Center. Produced by Maureen McMullan ’09, this concert features interpretations of the iconic superstar and 11-time Grammy winner’s biggest hits while showcasing the remarkable talents of vocalists, instrumentalists, arrangers, track producers, video jockeys, choreographers, and dancers from the Berklee community.
A cast of 80 representing 27 countries will take listeners on a journey covering all nine of Swift’s studio albums in an 18-song set that navigates a wide range of styles reflective of her eclectic body of work and far-reaching impact on modern music—from country and electro-folk to chamber pop, EDM, and stripped-down acoustic arrangements.
This ambitious production will also feature electronic digital instrument (EDI) elements and, for the first time in the series, the visual compositions of a VJ design team, creating a completely immersive sensory experience aimed at bringing Swift’s songs to life through an abstract medium that goes beyond notes and melodies.
“It’s thrilling to me as a musician, educator, and producer to work on a performance of this scope, as it’s an opportunity for students to push themselves beyond their comfort zones while still being able to infuse the music with their own artistry,” said McMullan, concert and event producer for Berklee. “There's an amazing sense of collaboration and camaraderie within the cast, and it's extremely rewarding when you see students stepping up as leaders, supporting and inspiring one another to reach their full potential.”
Berklee students have deconstructed and reimagined memorable Taylor Swift songs, including “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” “Love Story,” “All Too Well,” “Look What You Made Me Do,” and “cardigan.” Audience members can look forward to surprises in the form of beautifully blended song medleys, live orchestral music fused with EDI track productions, and a special guest appearance.
“This production has been an intense experience because of all the moving parts, but it’s sparked a passion for directing,” said student Vince de Leon, an arranger and track producer whose work appears several times throughout the concert. “My experiences in the film scoring and electronic production and design majors have allowed me to meet this challenge head on, and the encouragement I’ve received from faculty and my fellow performers has been invaluable.”
The Berklee Performance Center is located at 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston. Admission is $15/20 in advance, $20/25 on the day of the show, and $5/10 day-of with a Berklee ID. Tickets are available online and at the Berklee Performance Center box office. This is a seated event. The concert will also be viewable online via Livestream.
Berklee Live Event Attendance Policy
Masks will be required indoors, regardless of vaccination or negative test status. You must bring your own mask and wear it over your nose and mouth; N95, KN95, KF94, 3-ply surgical mask, or a surgical mask doubled with a cloth mask are preferred to keep patrons safe.
