Bathed in an inescapable red hue, Cafe 939 pulsed with the contagious ambition of young Berklee College of Music musicians March 24, enticing crowd members to the edge of their seats to hear unheard, original songs shared throughout the night. In collaboration with Berklee’s Songwriting Department, Berklee Original Open Mic, or BOOM, is a monthly opportunity for young artists to express their musical creativity while learning how to navigate the complexities of the spotlight.
“This is one of my first performances at Berklee, believe it or not,” said Maggie Marre, a first-year student at Berklee studying songwriting. “But I did a bunch of open mics last year, and because of my stage fright, I made a vow to myself that I was going to do 60 performances in the year because I really love performing.”
Being vulnerable on stage is essential to the growth of performers as they open themselves to constructive feedback, demonstrating Berklee’s emphasis on music as a powerful catalyst for personal development.
“It’s a different kind of thing being up on stage when it’s your own songs that you’ve written. But it’s the best thing ever to just be able to share our songs and ideas with each other to critique. And everyone here is just so supportive, and they’re all in the same boat. We’re learning from each other,” Marre said.
March’s BOOM was open to the public for viewing, allowing Bostonians to experience live music and witness the artistry of student performances. Sitting among musicians, the crowd could hear words of encouragement exchanged between friends and classmates. Regular performers and Berklee first-years Sarah Lampsa, Isaac Lourie, Phoenix Wilson and Indira Biswas credited the venue in uniting them all as musicians from different facets of life with a shared passion for the craft.
Performers were called backstage in groups at a time, creating a casual atmosphere for individual acts to flourish in distinction and experimentation. Many tried on different props and personas and showcased developing talents on new instruments. Lourie, who usually plays guitar, supported his friend’s vocals from the piano, while Lampsa combined vocals and piano for an emotional, original song commemorating her grandmother. Their explorative endeavors were met with applause as they returned to their seats.
As the night concluded, the musicians left in their wake a community bound by music, with crowd members’ faces alight with inspiration, eager for the next performance.
