BCA-011: Berklee Oral History Project

Established in 1998, the Berklee Oral History Project (BOHP) seeks to chronicle Berklee’s rich history from those who have lived, shaped, and defined it. In capturing the diverse experiences and perceptions of Berklee faculty, staff, and alumni, Berklee Archives seeks to document Berklee’s pedagogical contributions to music education, as well as the events and issues that have impacted the direction and identity of the institution. This collection comprises video interviews from over 100 individuals closely associated with Berklee College of Music and the Boston Conservatory, including faculty, staff, presidents, and alumni. Some early interviews also feature individuals unaffiliated with Berklee who were active in the Boston jazz community.

Creator: Berklee

Producer (pro): Berklee Archives

Director of Berklee College of Music’s Africana Studies program William “Bill” Banfield describes his early music career in Detroit, his major musical influences, and his experiences working and studying in Boston in the 1980s: attending New England Conservatory and Boston University, teaching with the Boston Symphony’s Tanglewood program, and traveling to Senegal. He also discusses the genesis of his recording company, B Magic Recording, his shift to composition, and his experiences teaching and studying ethnomusicology at University of Michigan. Banfield shares his thoughts on hip-hop, his philosophies on music and teaching, and curricular changes at Berklee over the previous decade. He describes the creation, evolution, and impact of the Africana Studies program, associated guests and visiting professors, and his vision for the African Studies Center.

Bill Banfield, 2017 October 20

View Full Information