Berklee Writing and Composition Scholarship for Entering Students Application Guidelines

Eligibility and Guidelines

• The Berklee Writing and Composition Scholarship is available for applicants to the college who wish to have their music-writing abilities taken into consideration for scholarship, in addition to their participation in the live audition and interview process.
• Applicants should submit at least three original compositions accompanied by written scores as outlined in the Composition Recording Guidelines below.
• The Berklee Writing and Composition Scholarship is not available for any of the programs offered through our Summer Programs Office.
• The maximum award amount through the Berklee Writing and Composition Scholarship is $8,000 per year.
• Applicants may only submit a Berklee Writing and Composition Scholarship application once per year while they are actively applying for admission to the college. Currently enrolled, continuing, or returning students are not eligible.

Submission Periods

Applicants should submit their original compositions on CD accompanied by written scores to the Office of Scholarships and Student Employment, following the corresponding deadlines of their application for admission:

Download and print the application form (PDF).

Composition Recording Guidelines

Please note: All applicants who would like to have their original compositions reviewed must also participate in a live audition and interview for admission and scholarship consideration.

• Please submit at least three of your original compositions on a standard-format compact disc (CD), not DAT, DVD, or videotape. Please clearly label your CD with your name, instrument, and the names of each of your original compositions.
• An original score for each of the compositions should accompany the CD in the packet.
• Submit a short description of how your recording was produced (e.g., live performance, MIDI-generated, analog multi-track recorded). Tell us when and where the pieces were recorded and who is performing each composition.
• The recording can be a home, live, or studio recording. Recording quality is not a factor in our evaluation. However, be sure to listen to your recording to ensure it is audible before mailing your packet.
• Recordings of the compositions should be recent (within the last year).
• Compositions may be for any size ensemble and scores should reflect the needs of the ensemble. For example: A jazz standard would require a lead sheet with chord changes, possibly lyrics, style and tempo indications; a big band score would also include horn and rhythm section arrangements; a symphony would require a full orchestral score.
• We appreciate that composers come from various music backgrounds. Therefore, you should submit compositions that will best display your skills as a composer. If you write in a variety of styles and instrumentations, choose pieces that demonstrate your versatility. If you write in a single style, choose the best of your works for submission.

Be sure to review the guidelines carefully. Incomplete scholarship applications will not be evaluated. Before mailing your scholarship packet, make sure it includes the following:

• A completed Berklee Writing and Composition Scholarship application form.
• The title of each selection on your CD and insert.
• Your CD and jewel case.
• Your name and instrument on your CD.
• Your name and instrument on your CD jewel case.
• A score and/or lead sheet for each composition with the title and name of the composer clearly indicated.

Send your completed application to:

Berklee Writing and Composition Scholarship
Office of Scholarships and Student Employment
Berklee College of Music
1140 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215-3693, USA

You may contact our office by email at scholarships@berklee.edu or by phone at 617 747-8681.

Please ensure that your recording, scores, and application for the Berklee Writing and Composition Scholarship are postmarked by the deadline. This will ensure sufficient time for an evaluation of your material.