Voice Department: Placement Auditions for Vocalists

Your Berklee placement audition helps us to assign the appropriate level of vocal labs, ensembles, and private lesson that will be the best for you and your musical progression. You will be rated on sight-reading ability, overall vocal skill, improvisation, and rhythmic interpretation.

• Prepared Piece: Prepare one memorized selection that best represents your stylistic preference, technique, and stage presence. A second song of contrasting tempo may be requested if time permits. Please bring a lead sheet or sheet music. An accompanist will be provided or you can bring your own CD or tape accompaniment.

Some of the other items that may be included in your audition are:

• Standard Vocaleses or Exercises: Demonstrates your range and technical facility via typical practice routines.
  
  
  

• Ear Training: You will be asked to participate in call and response exercises. The audition team will play short rhythms and melodies, which you will sing back to them.
  
  
  

• Improvisation: You may be asked to improvise within a song, or on blues changes in a specific groove.
  
  
  

• Sight Reading: You will be asked to sight-read song materials that correspond with the Voice Department curriculum.