School of rock
Re “USC Acts by Popular Demand,” by Randy Lewis, Oct. 22: Musicians Institute in Hollywood has been offering accredited bachelor’s degrees in popular music performance since 1995. MI’s bachelor of music in performance (contemporary styles) includes majors in guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and voice.
The article raised questions about the potential for coexistence between popular music and higher education. We feel that these concerns were answered long ago by the countless MI students who have gone on to careers in every facet of contemporary music, including members of bands like Weezer, Nine Inch Nails and Red Hot Chili Peppers, artists like Keb’ Mo’ and Jeff Buckley, and musicians working with artists from Pink and Mariah Carey to Dwight Yoakam and John Doe.
The marriage between pop music and higher education has proved to be happy and long-lasting, and we welcome USC to the field.
Keith Wyatt
Hollywood
The writer is vice president of programs at Musicians Institute.
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