Don Gorder
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Don Gorder, former chair and founder of the Music Business/Management Department at Berklee, is an attorney, educator, and musician. He holds advanced degrees in law and music, has authored numerous articles on the music industry, and has spoken at many national and international music industry events. As an attorney, he has represented clients in matters of copyright and contracts, and he remains active as a trumpet player in a variety of jazz and commercial settings.
Gorder is vice president of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Affiliated Music Business Institutions, a past officer and board member of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators' Association, and currently sits on the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. He is active in the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM), and the International Association for Jazz Education, where he is a member of the resource team, representing music business/management.
- Retired from Berklee in 2021 with over 29 years of service
- Private law practice, emphasizing copyright and entertainment contracts
- Performances with Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Lena Horne, Carl Fontana, and others
- Recordings for Kendor Music
- Panelist/presenter at national and international music industry conferences
- Author of numerous articles on music business
- Resource team representative for music business/management panel, International Association of Jazz Educators
- Former officer and board member, Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association
- Member, board of trustees, for Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
Chair Emeritus, Berklee College of Music