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Berklee Archives

Welcome!

Use this database to search and browse collection guides for archival material available for research from the Berklee Archives. Our collections include the institutional records for the Berklee College of Music (established 1945) and the Boston Conservatory (established 1867), as well as special collections pertaining to Joseph Schillinger and the Schillinger System of Musical Composition, the history of jazz in Boston, and other jazz and popular music materials of note.

Please note that not all of our collections have been processed, and we are continually creating new collection guides.View our complete listing of open collections.

Requesting Materials

Berklee Archives’ collections are non-circulating and require appointments to view. Berklee Archives is open by appointment to all Berklee community members, scholars, and members of the general public who wish to view our materials. Please review our current visitor policies and request an appointment by emailing archives@berklee.edu. Each collection guide also contains a Request button that will initiate an appointment request.

Digital Collections

This interface contains very little digitized material. For digitized items, please visit Berklee Archives’ Digital Collections.

Search tips

Multiple terms entered into one search box are handled as if connected by an OR statement. For AND statements, use the plus (+) button to add a row for each term. Use quotation marks around multiple words to search for  an exact phrase. Drop down boxes and date fields allow you to further customize your search.

Search results can be narrowed by material type, subject, or name by clicking on any of the "Additional filters" appearing to the right of your search results list. Click on any of the tabs at the top of this page to browse holdings by collection, subjects, names, or record group.

Contact Us

For questions, research assistance, appointment requests, or additional information, please contact us at archives@berklee.edu or visit the Berklee Archives website.