By Melissa Stoner
Peer Advisor

If you’re looking for a way to make a difference around Berklee, think about becoming a Peer Advisor. Do you remember the experience of first coming here? Excitement, chaos, anxiety, inspiration, fun, homesickness, whip-lash from all that running around… the list goes on! You most likely encountered issues you had no idea how to handle. The First-Year Student Advising Program (FYSAP) was created to help students transition to life at Berklee and in Boston by grouping entering students with both a Peer Advisor and a faculty/staff advisor. Beginning on a new path is one of the most amazing and important times in a person’s life, and the FYSAP team wants to make sure that the transition to Berklee is not only smooth but a positive experience as well. As a Peer Advisor, you can make a difference by aiding in that transition through guidance, shared experiences, and a lot of good times.

The FYSAP program, created in the spring of 2007, has made a measurable positive impact on entering students’ experiences. In a recent survey, 94% of entering students expressed some degree of anxiety before coming to Berklee, and 91% reported that they found their Peer Advisor helpful. The FYSAP program has been recognized by the President of the college, staff, faculty and fellow students as a positive and meaningful program.

So, what is Peer Advising really like? It’s fun, inspiring, educational, challenging, energizing, mind-opening, gratifying, and simply awesome! As a Peer Advisor, you will have the chance to provide guidance and support to a group of entering students. This position involves intensive leadership training, adding a new level to advisors’ resumes. Candidates must have a minimum of 2.8 GPA and be in good academic standing with at least two semesters completed at Berklee. Strong organizational and social skills are also required, and all ages are encouraged to apply. Peer Advisors work directly with the FYSAP office and are engaged in various activities throughout the semester. Meetings with advisees during the semester can range from coffee breaks to trips around town and everything in between. Applicants will be selected through an application and interview process. If selected, advisors will be required to attend a training session on April 24, 2010.

If you’re interested in becoming a Peer Advisor, look for our application online. The deadline to apply is March 22, 2010. Have questions? Stop by our FYSAP info sessions on Thursday, March 4 from 12:00-3pm in the Steve Heck Room. The FYSAP team will also be available from 12-2pm, Monday March 1 through Friday, March 5 in the Cafeteria. We look forward to seeing you there!

You are cordially invited to The Groove’s Official Launch Party!

It will be taking place this Monday, March 1st from 6-8PM in the Student Activities Center, 3rd floor of the Uchida Building @ 921 Boylston Street in Boston. We will have some fantastic catering, live music, a fun crowd, and a tutorial of the benefits of how to get the most out of the Berklee Groove online! Come see how it all works and have a look at our first print issue of the year, on stands now! Invite your friends and come join us in celebrating the Berklee student voice and what it’s all about!

You can RSVP your attendance to thegroove@berklee.edu. Thanks and we look forward to seeing you there!

Warm Regards,

The Groove Staff

ATTENTION SENIOR CLASS 2010

Interested in being in the Senior Video?

Here is your last chance!

Stop by any time for 10 minutes for an interview at these locations

Monday March 1 between 6-9pm @ 939 Red Room

Sunday March 7 between 10-2pm @ 1140 – 1A

We want to know what these past 4 years at Berklee meant to you & how your Berklee connections will help you in your musical career.

You can interview alone, with friends, in your native language (only if you can translate it) and also bring anything you would like to see in this video: pictures, videos, music etc.

Contact Nikki Hansen nhansen@berklee.edu for more information.

Winners 2010 Songwriters Competition

Erica Stenquist “Needing A Change”

Liz Longley “Unraveling”

Zac Taylor “Go If You Must”

Jared Salatore “Gold Is Gone”

Hanna Barakat “Cycle”

Justin Schwenk  “You’ll Have To Deal With Me”

Daniel Hartzeim “New Day”

Ann Driscoll “Ringmaster”

Michael Hazani “You Left Your Mark”

Dana Wells “Evergreen”

Dylan Patrello “Unconditionally”

Liz Fohl “Spaceship”

The winners will perform their songs at the Berklee Performance Center on May 5. Congratulations from the Songwriting Department.

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW
Monday, February 22, 2010
6:00 – 8:00PM
Room F12 in 22 the Fenway building
Q&A and Resume Derby

Who should attend:  Alumni and students who expect to apply for jobs within a professional setting, including performers who are looking to supplement their income.

PANELISTS:

Chris Connors, Associate VP for Human Resources for Berklee College of Music

Michael Gaskins ‘93, Associate Director of Career Services and Internships UMass Boston

Brigette Bryant ‘84, Senior Director of Development of Arts and Sciences at Tufts

Robert Tynes ‘95, Assistant Principal for Cambridge Ridge and Latin School

SAVE THE DATE…

Part 2:                  THE INTERVIEW

                  Monday, March 22^nd, 2010 (6:00 – 8:00PM)

Find out how to handle all the dos and don’ts of an actual interview!

Part 3:                  GETTING THE GIG

                  Tuesday, April 20^th, 2010 (6:00 – 8:00PM)

Find out how to handle getting you and/or your band booked in local venues.

By Liz Turner
SGA

Being involved with the SGA is an opportunity to be a part of the change that’s happening at Berklee. Members have the opportunity to help organize and run student events, connect with the administration, represent Berklee students on and off campus, and be a part of a high-energy group of motivated Berklee students. SGA members are also asked to represent the students by sitting on Berklee committees with staff and faculty dealing with issues about classes, orientation, events, and how tuition dollars are spent.

Executive Vice President
Preside over SGA meetings if the President cannot be present. Keep us aligned with the SGA constitution. Act as Berklee Club Liaison and oversee Ambassadors and other non-exec SGA members.

VP of Communications
Responsible for communications between the SGA and the students. In charge of Facebook, Twitter, Campus Cruiser, Groove, etc. Should also be aware of promotional methods around campus.

Ambassadors
Ambassadors for instrumental and major departments act as liaisons between the students and faculty/chair(s) of their respective department. They are tasked with staying connected with the students within that department as well as moderate a Town Hall meeting each semester facilitating an open discussion between the students and the administration regarding their major or instrumental department.

Positions Available:
Music Business Ambassador
Film Scoring Ambassador
Pro Music Ambassador
Jazz Composition
MP&E Ambassador 
Voice Ambassador
Piano Ambassador
Bass Ambassador
Guitar Ambassador
Brass Ambassador
Woodwinds Ambassador
Percussion Ambassador
Strings Ambassador      

Elections will take place on Campus Cruiser on Thursday Feb 25, any students running for one of the listed positions must fill out an application in the Student Activities Center by Monday Feb 22 by 5:00PM to be in the elections.

Chadbourne and Passarelli.

Guitar professor Lauren Passarelli presents a clinic on Song Writing and Creativity with special guest, musician, author, scholar, Kate Chadbourne. This clinic will focus on turning pieces of ideas of music and lyrics into finished songs and emphasizing how to trust your instincts as an Artist & plugging into your creative flow anytime you desire.

The event will take place at Cafe 939 on Tuesday, February 23 at 1PM.