On-campus housing is no longer available for anyone without an application processed by March 28. Applicants who have already received housing applications should send them in now. Contact the Office of Special Programs at 617 747-2245 for alternative housing options.

Five-Week Summer Performance Program • Application • Introduction • Performance Opportunities • Program Information

A limited number of partial-tuition scholarships are available to high school students for the Five-Week Summer Performance Program. For scholarship consideration, you must send a written request to the Office of Special Programs along with a letter of recommendation from a high school band director, private instrumental instructor, or guidance counselor. These materials should be submitted with your application. However, they may be sent separately if you apply online and your application has been received and processed.

In your written request for scholarship, you should address the following:

Highlight your musical and academic achievements and/or elaborate on how you feel the summer program will help you achieve certain educational or professional goals.

All applicants to the program are encouraged to apply for scholarships regardless of the amount of formal instrumental training they have had. The scholarship selection committee will award music students who are most likely to benefit from the program based on the student's musical and/or academic activities and experiences.

As funds are limited, requests for scholarship consideration to the Five-Week Summer Performance Program must be received no later than May 1. Awards generally fall within the range of $500–$1,000, and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis beginning April 1 until scholarship funding is exhausted. We suggest that you submit your scholarship request early. We cannot evaluate students for scholarships unless an application to the program has been received. No federal aid is available for this program. Only students currently enrolled in high school (secondary school) or graduating from high school in 2008 are eligible for scholarship consideration. Your scholarship decision letter will be sent separately from your acceptance letter. During the program, scholarships toward full-time study at Berklee will be awarded by audition.

D'Addario Scholarships

The D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts has generously agreed to donate a limited number of partial-tuition scholarships for some of our most deserving students. These awards will be chosen from our overall pool of scholarship requests. Recipients will be notified by mail.

Arif Mardin Music Fellowship

In memory of Berklee alumnus Arif Mardin ‘61, the American Turkish Society will award one student a fellowship covering all program expenses, along with a $500 stipend. Individuals of Turkish descent or nationality are eligible to apply. Submit an application, mp3 recording/link, and a 500-word statement in English outlining your interest in the program and how you will benefit from it, as well as any distinctions in your musical career such as performances, awards, etc. Send materials by mail to the Office of Special Programs, by fax 617 262-5419 or email summer@berklee.edu by April 15.

Housing and Meals

On-campus housing is no longer available for anyone without an application processed by March 28. Applicants who have already received housing applications should send them in now. Contact the Office of Special Programs at 617 747-2245 for alternative housing options.

Applying for residence hall housing is a separate process. A limited number of housing applications and related information will be mailed to accepted applicants beginning in February, until residence halls reach full capacity. Acceptance to the program does not guarantee a residence hall space. To optimize your chances for on-campus housing, you must apply to the program before March 1 and return the housing application immediately upon receiving it. Due to limited availability, residence hall space will fill up quickly. To be eligible to live in the residence hall, you must be 15 years of age by the start of the program. Preference for on-campus housing will be given to students aged 15 to 17. For questions concerning residence hall housing, call the Housing Office at 617 747-2292. If you are unable to secure housing in Berklee's residence halls, please contact the Office of Special Programs at 617 747-2245 for information on alternative housing.

Drug, Alcohol, and Conduct Policy

Berklee administrators reserve the right to expel any student from the Five-Week Summer Performance Program if he or she has engaged in unlawful behavior. Participants are prohibited from consuming or selling alcohol in any area of the college regardless of age. The unlawful use, possession, or sale of drugs or alcohol on college property or as part of college activities is strictly prohibited. Students who violate this policy may be withdrawn from the program without a refund and/or referred for prosecution.

Services For Students With Disabilities

Accommodations are available for students with physical limitations and students with documented learning disabilities. Services available may include academic accommodations and referrals to on-campus support, including adaptive technology and tutoring. Documentation of a student's disability and the need for accommodation should be submitted well in advance of the program start date. Accommodations in classroom teaching methods and testing cannot be offered unless appropriate documentation is on file with the college. For more information on services for students with disabilities, contact the Counseling/Advising Center at 617 747-2310.

Tuition and Fees

We prefer that you send in your $200 tuition deposit prior to June 1 so that we can better project our enrollment and, in turn, provide you with a smoother registration process. The $200 tuition deposit will be deducted from your tuition.

Please be aware, international students will need to pay the U.S. consulate or embassy additional visa-related fees that usually equal or exceed $250.

Payment

Bills for this program will be mailed 30 days prior to the start of the program. The bill will include a payment coupon and return mail envelope for your convenience. All bills will have instructions on how to make payment using the Internet, phone, and bank-to-bank wire transfers; it will also include the due date for the payment. Tuition and housing fees are to be paid together, unless you are living at an off-campus location. Payments are due in full one week prior to the start of the program. This will expedite your registration. Payment on the date of registration is highly discouraged. If you are experiencing difficulty making your payment by the due date, contact our offices for assistance.  If your application was not received and processed in time for you to have a bill sent in the 30-day period, you can feel free to call the Office of the Bursar to check your balance. A bill will be mailed regardless of when your application is processed and it will indicate "Late Add." While no additional charges are assessed for this, you are still responsible for making the payment within the due date guidelines.

The Office of the Bursar is available to assist you with your questions regarding charges and payment of your summer program. Feel free to address any of these issues by emailing bursar@berklee.edu or by contacting one of our representatives at 617 747-2165 or 617 747-2610.

Enrollment Information

The Five-Week Summer Performance Program is a pre-college course ideally suited to high school students interested in college-level music studies but open to all eligible applicants. The program takes place on the Berklee College of Music campus located in Boston’s business, retail, and arts district. The campus is located on and around the busy intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Boylston Street. It is in close proximity to Symphony Hall, Northeastern and Boston universities, New England and Boston conservatories, Fenway Park, and the Christian Science Center. Classes include one-on-one private instruction, core classes with roughly 18 students, and larger lecture-style classes. In past years, the Five-Week Summer Performance Program has enrolled 800 to 900 students from nearly 50 countries. Parents/guardians must determine if this urban college setting is appropriate for their son or daughter. While there is limited supervision for on-campus residents, students will receive an individualized schedule and will ultimately be responsible for attending all assigned courses and abiding by Berklee College of Music policies.

How to Apply

Application information, including eligibility requirements, may be found on the Application page.