Please let them be heard
These are lyrics from a song called “Unheard Voices,” written by “C.T.,” a young person at Butler Treatment Center in Massachusetts. It was written for the Unsung songwriting competition, where incarcerated youth write and produce their own music.
It’s part of BreakFree Education, an organization which partners with juvenile justice agencies across the nation to offer educational programs. Now, thanks to a partnership with Berklee Online, more and more incarcerated youth are being given the chance to connect their love of music to education while earning college credit.
“Music is the universal language. Melody speaks to all humans, rhythm speaks to everyone on the planet. Music takes you out of your circumstances of life,” said Sean Slade, a music producer and associate professor in the Music Production and Engineering Department at Berklee College of Music. Slade has produced albums with Radiohead, Hole, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Lou Reed, and other artists.
Berklee Online, with BreakFree and the Department of Youth Services in Massachusetts, California, Texas and Missouri, offers students aged 13 through 19 twelve-week, synchronous and asynchronous educational classes on music production analysis, songwriting, and more, all at no cost for the students who earn three college level credits upon completion. The program is now available in almost 30 juvenile justice agencies and serves over 80 students.
Michael Moyes, chief operating officer and associate vice president of enrollment strategy and marketing, pre-college, online and professional programs at Berklee's Pre-College, Online, and Professional Programs Division.
“I would listen to different songs kids would produce, go over their lyrics, and give comments,” said Moyes. “I was just blown away by not just the talent but the passion, what people had to say.”
