Courtesy of Berklee School of music
Courtesy of Berklee School of Music Archives
Courtesy of Johns Hopkings University
Berk found it difficult to find a job during the Great Depression, even Despite his controversial methods, Schillinger played an important role with a degree from MIT, so in 1932 he took a chance and sought out a in shaping of America’s music industry. He initially taught at the David music career in New York City. Once there, he first worked with his Berend School of Music, and lectured at Leon Theremin’s music studio. In former bandleader, Joe Rines on the Iodent Toothpaste radio show, and 1932, Schillinger opened his own private studio and by 1938, Schillinger’s then as a staff arranger at NBC and CBS. By the mid 1930s, Berk began to studio provided 112 lessons a week, for the rate of $10 per half-hour envision the totality of the music business. This vision led Berk to work session; a formidable amount during the depression. Through his teaching, with a man he later called “a fascinating powerful brain.” This man was a Schillinger’s mathematical system was introduced to new students, aiding Russian born composer, theorist, and educator named Joseph Schillinger. his ability to shape the future of the industry.
Schillinger came to America in 1928, along with many other European Aside from teaching private pupils, Schillinger also served as an advisor to immigrants who brought a wealth of European knowledge and culture. several popular musicians and concert composers. Among those he assisted This migration included Prokofiev and Rachmaninov, two great were Vernon Duke, Eubie Blake, John Lewis, Gerry Mulligan, Earle Brown, composers who shared Schillinger’s background in Russia’s famous music Burt Bacharach, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Oscar Levant, Tommy education system. From this background, Schillinger was dedicated to Dorsey, and Henry Cowell. Schillinger also advised George Gershwin, who creating truly professional musicians. took three lessons a week over a four and a half year period. Gershwin kept detailed notes from these lessons, which can be found today in notebooks However, Schillinger’s view of the music industry deviated from the at the Library of Congress. These records help document Schillinger life common and traditional understandings of music. Schillinger was a and contributions to American music. controversial figure who communicated his musical knowledge in the form of a precise written theory. The theory used mathematical Schillinger died of cancer in 1944 at the age of 47, only six years after he expressions to describe not only music, but art, architecture and design. became an American citizen. Fortunately, Schillinger’s work continued to With this mindset, Schillinger taught an elaborate composition system influence the music industry after his passing. At the time of his death, there which utilized mathematical permutation and combination processes were seven individuals authorized to teach Schillinger’s methods, allowing to generate rhythms, harmonies, and melodies. Expanding upon these his ideas to outlive their creator. One of these authorized instructors was ideas, Schillinger applied his unorthodox theories to orchestration. Lawrence Berk.