The Ministry of Culture announces the second “Berklee in Santo Domingo” course at the CNM

The Ministry of Culture announces the second “Berklee in Santo Domingo” course at the CNM
Santo Domingo, October 16, 2014

The second course of the musical training program between the Ministry of Culture of the Dominican Republic and the Berklee College of the United States, with the support of Juan Luis Guerra, was announced for early 2015 at the National Conservatory of Music (CNM).

The first course opened last year as part of the activities that the Ministry of Culture, headed by singer and songwriter José Antonio Rodríguez, carries out with a view to improving the quality of the musicians and Dominican music in general.

The Ministry of Culture reported that Berklee professors will return with a program designed for instrumentalists and vocalists of classical, pop, rock and jazz, who are interested in developing the skills that are necessary in the world of contemporary music.

The program is open exclusively to residents of the Dominican Republic, who are at least 15 years old and who have at least 6 months of experience with an instrument. All applicants must submit an audio/video sample on their skills and experience. The preferred format is video. The program is free of charge for those who are admitted.

Berklee in Santo Domingo will offer classes by way of lectures and master classes, covering the following topics: instrumental technique, improvisation and harmony. Lessons learned in these classes will be put in practice during group classes and workshops, which are also to be taught during the program.

World-class professors will bring their knowledge to residents of the Dominican Republic. Among them are: Ken Cervenka, Brass Professor; Yoron Israel, Assistant Director of the Percussion’s Department; Jim Kelly, Guitar Professor; Vadim Neselovskyi, Assistant Professor of Piano; Jim Odgren, Woodwinds Professor; Bob Pilkington, Professor of Jazz Composition and Brass; Raberg Bruno, Professor of Ensemble; Darcel Wilson, Assistant Professor of Ear and Voice Training.

Classes will be held from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and concerts and group sessions will be held after 5:00 pm.

Applications for admission to the program are to be filled online and will be available starting on Tuesday, October 14, 2014. The deadline for receiving applications is November 14, 2014. The application form in English may be accessed through: https://apply.berklee.edu/.

On December 1st, 2014 an email will be sent to each of the persons who are selected. During the last course, of the 620 students who sent their requests for admission only 150 were accepted.

For more information, please contact Carlos Delgado Imbert, liaison between the MINC and Berklee College of Music, in the Ministry of Culture, Ave. George Washington corner with Presidente Vicini Burgos, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, phone number: 809-284-2608 and e-mail:internationalprograms@berklee.edu. Also, on Facebook at the Berklee in Santo Domingo webpage: https://www.facebook.com/BerkleeSantoDomingo.

Department of Communications and Audiovisuals
Ministry of Culture
By: Eduardo Tejeda
Tel.: 809-221-4141 Ext. 236 / 275