The Decline of Berkeley's Music Department

Top quality musicians are saying “No” to music at University of California, Berkeley and finding other outlets for their talents.

High school students who heard the University Chorus and Chamber Chorus perform last year were dismayed at the lack of vocal talent being promoted at Berkeley. The problem seems to be the choral director, Marika Kuzma, who puts weak voices forward as soloists. The chamber choir displayed less talent than the average junior high school choir.

Other UC campuses are putting their best singers forward, and potential students are wondering if the problem is a lack of talent in the music program or an unwillingness of Kuzma to promote anything but weak, shrill voices. Some say the problem is that she is looking for choral back-up singers and discourages quality soloists.

Music teachers are advising their students to forget Berkeley, and, instead, accept offers from other campuses.

When asked about the problem with the music program at Berkeley, some students said that the just for fun choral ensemble programs deserve funding and college credit. Ensemble Director Mark Summer is very popular with Berkeley students. Students can major in other subjects and get a higher quality music experience from the ensembles than is available in the music department. Many students said that, if Mark Summer took over the music department, they would consider becoming music students.

Until Berkeley’s music department starts promoting musicians with talent or promotes Summer to department head, it will continue to remain third rate and a place for talented musicians to avoid.