Six New Chairs Appointed

Lawrence Simpson, the senior vice president for academic affairs/provost, has announced the appointment of six new department chairs.

Steve Bailey was named the chair of Berklee’s Bass Department. A six-string fretless bass pioneer, educator, and author, Bailey assumed his new role this past summer. Bailey’s extensive recording and performance credits include work with Paquito D’Rivera, Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, Victor Wooten, Hank Jones, Michel Camilo, the Rippingtons, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Larry Carlton, Chris Duarte, Mel Tormé, and others. Bailey brings 25 years of teaching experience to Berklee and has authored six books and instructional DVDs.

George S. Clinton is the new chair of the Film Scoring Department. Clinton began his career in 1983 with original music for Cheech and Chong’s Still Smokin’. He has since scored numerous films, including Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Mortal Kombat, A Dirty Shame, The Santa Clause 2 and 3, and Wild Things. His recent projects include the Emmy Award–winning Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Hometown Glory, Tooth Fairy, Extract, and Salvation Boulevard.

Clinton has also written songs recorded by Michael Jackson, Joe Cocker, and Three Dog Night; concert works; and musicals, and received nine BMI Film & TV Awards.

Eric Gould will chair the Jazz Composition Department. He comes to Berklee after serving on the faculty of Cleveland State University and as director of the Department of Music for the Cleveland Music School Settlement. He holds a master’s degree in composition from Cleveland State. A pianist, Gould has released three CDs, and has performed and recorded with Ron Carter, Jimmy Heath, James Newton, Bobby Watson, Cindy Blackman, and others. Gould has composed for various ensembles and orchestras, and his music has been performed at prestigious concert halls in Ohio and New York.

Three faculty members were promoted to chair positions. Arnold Friedman is now the chair of the Composition Department. An established composer and virtuoso cellist, Friedman’s works have been performed widely. As a cellist, he has performed in concerts in the United States and abroad. He is a specialist in world tuning systems and microtonality and has developed music education software.

Anne Peckham is now chair of the Voice Department. A longtime voice professor, Peckham has developed curricular materials for the department and mentored many musicians now working in the music industry. She has published four books on vocal technique and performance for Berklee Press and sung with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and Boston Pops Orchestra.

Michael Bierylo is the new chair of the Electronic Production and Design Department. A guitarist, composer, programmer, and sound designer, Bierylo has recorded with Birdsongs of the Mesozoic and as a solo artist. He has written scores for numerous film, video, and multimedia projects.