The Consulate General of the United States of America in Sao Paulo, in partnership with the Souza Lima Music Academy and the renowned Berklee School of Music collaborated on the third intensive jazz improvisation course “Berklee on the Road,” or BOR, November 19-22 in Sao Paulo. Berklee music professors worked with Souza Lima professors to give students insights into the great American art form. The partnership with the Consulate made possible 53 scholarships for music students from public schools and social projects that promote inclusion through the study of music. The scholarships were offered to students from the following schools: Tatui Conservatory, Souza Lima Conservatory, the Sao Paulo State Music School, the Municipal Music School, the Sao Caetano Art Foundation, Bacarelli Institute, the Boys of Morumbi, Pao de Acucar Orchestra, the State University of Sao Paulo, the University of Campinas, and the University of Sao Paulo.
The course opened with a performance by Big Band Souza Lima, created by students of Souza Lima and directed by Daniel DÁlcântara, which included Brazilian and American jazz. With workshops in singing, guitar, saxophone, piano, and percussion in which students interacted musically with the professors, the program focused on jazz and bluegrass music. After the course, students received certificates from Berklee and from Souza Lima. Berklee on the Road has taken place in Sao Paulo each year since 2012, but has existed for over 15 years in other countries. For more information about BOR, visit: http://www.berklee.edu/berkleeontheroad
