Berklee College of Music Summer Programs
Five-Week Summer Performance Program
July 6–August 9, 2013
Berklee’s Five-Week Summer Performance Program, now in its 27th year, is the largest, most comprehensive summer music program available—anywhere. The Five-Week Program, with its diversity of study options, world-class Berklee faculty, visiting artists, and state-of-the-art facilities, is the premier contemporary music summer program for young musicians. Each summer, approximately 1000 participants from across the United States and more than 70 countries around the world share in this unique summer experience—encompassing all instruments, all contemporary styles, and all levels of musical ability. The Five-Week Program is your opportunity to experience the summer of a lifetime at the world’s most prestigious institution for the study of contemporary music.
The Five-Week Program is a pre-college course ideally suited to high school students but open to all eligible applicants. You must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program and have at least six months of playing (or singing) experience. Most students are of high school and college age.
Twelve-Week Full-Credit Summer Program
May 21–August 16, 2013
Join other serious music students from all over the world for a summer semester in Boston. In just 12 weeks, you will complete the first semester of Berklee's regular college-level core curriculum. The Full-Credit Summer Program offers you the opportunity to explore Berklee on a summer-only basis. Normally, you must be a full-time student seeking a degree or diploma in order to earn a full semester of credits.
You'll also need a minimum of two years of formal music training or experience on your principal instrument or voice, and good working knowledge/familiarity with the written fundamentals of music theory (including rhythmic notation, melodic notation in treble and bass clefs, key signatures, major and minor scales, intervals, and construction of triads and seventh chords). Additionally, you must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program.
Victor Wooten/Berklee Summer Bass Workshop
June 14–16, 2013
Would you like your bass lines to groove? Would you like to play music fluently, like you speak your native tongue? Regardless of your playing style, Victor Wooten and his team of world-class instructors join forces with Berklee’s versatile and time-tested faculty to help your musical dreams come true. Wooten and his longtime musical and educational collaborator Steve Bailey—Berklee's Bass Department chair—have created a fusion of cutting-edge educational concepts from two of the world’s leading institutions: the Victor Wooten Center for Music and Nature and Berklee College of Music.
Bass Lines welcomes players of any level of experience, including beginners. You must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program.
The Business of Music
June 14–15, 2013
The Music Business/Management Department at Berklee College of Music presents a two-day workshop that focuses on music business for bands and artists, with particular emphasis on the recording industry, new marketing strategies, and music entrepreneurship. A series of seminars and workshops will cover the business, legal, and technological issues affecting independent record production, record companies, music publishing, talent management, concert promotion, and the changes brought by the move to digital. The workshop will also cover how to create an interactive website and promote your band with it, the emerging DIY (do-it-yourself) business models, and techniques for using social media.
You must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program.
Vocal Summit
June 24–27, 2013
The Berklee Vocal Summit offers a unique opportunity for musicians to explore the world of vocal technique, style, and performance. This four-day event includes expert instruction in all the key elements that will prepare you for a successful career as a singer. You will learn the essential skills expected of both lead and background vocalists in today’s music arena. In addition, all participants will learn how to prepare, rehearse, and lead their own band. The program is stylistically diverse and offers training in pop, rock, R&B, country, gospel, jazz, and musical theater.
All styles of vocal improvisation will be presented, including scat singing, melodic embellishment, and rhythmic phrasing. Vocal Summit sessions will include microphone technique, stage presence, stylistic interpretation, and musical expression.
You must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program.
Mark O’Connor/Berklee Summer String Program
June 24–28, 2013
The Mark O’Connor/Berklee College of Music Summer String Program provides a unique opportunity to study with Mark O’Connor and some of the world’s top string players in a wide array of styles, including jazz, bluegrass, classical, Celtic, and more. During the program’s five days, you’ll have opportunities to study with instructors in small class settings and explore new musical styles and techniques under expert guidance.
Sessions are designed to accommodate players in first grade and older, across a wide range of achievement levels. Geared for musicians ranging from beginners to professionals, the program offers activities and instruction appropriate for an array of players. Instruction provides in-depth explorations of many string styles, including various folk fiddle styles, jazz, bluegrass, classical, Celtic, and more.
Berklee Percussion Festival
June 17–21, 2013
Whether you are new to the world of percussion or a player looking for new ideas; whether you are a hand percussionist, a drum set specialist, a marimbist, a vibraphonist, a total percussionist, or an educator, the Berklee Percussion Festival will give you a new edge on rhythm, improvisation, percussion craft, effects, sound, and performance skills.
The Berklee Percussion Festival will admit students and teachers of all levels, including those with little or no playing experience in percussion. People of all ages are welcome to attend, but you must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program.
Berklee Summer Winds Program
June 21–23, 2013
If you are a brass, saxophone, or flute player and are looking to develop your skills in improvisation, group playing, and performance, Berklee’s Summer Winds Program is for you. Improve your playing through master classes, group lessons, and ensembles. You will learn methods and techniques to perform in jazz, Latin, classical, Brazilian, and contemporary styles.
You must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program and have at least six months of playing experience.
English as a Second Language Program
June 25–August 9, 2013
Berklee’s English as a Second Language Program integrates the study of English language, literature, and culture with the study of music performance or art and art history. The program prepares you for academic life in an American college or university. It is part of Berklee College of Music, the premier contemporary music college in the world. Earn three semester hours of college credit while learning and having fun.
You must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program and have at least six months of playing (or singing) experience or have an interest in or aptitude for visual arts.
Stage Performance Workshop
June 28–June 30, 2013
You may have heard about that elusive “X-Factor.” Everyone has one–let’s find yours. There are key elements that will help you stand out from the crowd when you audition for that competition, scholarship, part, or gig. But landing the gig is only half of it. Once you’re in, living up to expectations means putting on a great performance each and every time. Do you know what it takes or what to do when you get up on stage?
You must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program and have at least six months of playing (or singing) experience.
Berklee Day Sessions
July 8–August 2, 2013
Berklee Day Sessions is a unique program designed to allow middle school students, ages 12–14, the opportunity to experience all that Berklee College of Music has to offer in a flexible day session format. Students will have the opportunity to study on campus with Berklee faculty and students. The program is a four-week experience that allows students the flexibility to participate in one-, two-, three-, or four-week sessions that are specifically designed with the middle school musician in mind.
Students of all levels, styles, and backgrounds are welcome to attend. You must be 12–14 years old by the start of the program and have at least six months of playing (or singing) experience.
Music Production Workshop
July 12–14, 2013
The Music Technology Division at Berklee College of Music presents a weekend of intensive workshops covering many facets of current music production technology. Students will participate in seminars and attend sessions in Berklee’s state-of-the-art Electronic Production and Design Department labs and Music Production and Engineering Department recording studios.
You must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program.
Musical Theater Summer Intensive
August 12–16, 2013
The Berklee Musical Theater Summer Intensive is a five-day course that provides professional-level musical performance training for promising young artists. The intensive is designed to help students gain important skills and build well-rounded proficiency in musical theater and stage performance. The program includes core classes and electives, Q&A sessions with visiting musical theater artists, and a rigorous rehearsal schedule. The program culminates in a professional showcase at the Berklee Performance Center, Berklee’s flagship performance space and one of Boston’s most prestigious concert halls.
You must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program.
Songwriting Workshop
August 14–17, 2013
The Songwriting Workshop offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the art of songwriting at any level. Classes include Singer/Songwriter Workshop, Melody Writing, Lyric Writing, Creating your Own Demo and Recordings, and the Business of Songwriting.
You must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program. The classes are varied and designed to provide information for songwriters of all experience levels.
Guitar Sessions
August 18–23, 2013
Guitar Sessions emphasizes practical playing experience through a variety of classes, clinics, and performance activities for today’s guitar player. All participants will be placed in performance ensembles with guitarists of similar training, stylistic interest, and ability.
You must be at least 15 years of age by the start of the program and have at least two years of playing experience. This program is inappropriate for bass guitarists.
Berklee Piano/Keyboard Workshop
August 20–23, 2013
If you are a piano or keyboard player and are looking to develop your performance skills in improvisation, performance, chord theory, comping and synthesizer technology, Berklee’s Piano/ Keyboard Workshop is for you. The program will feature a wide range of methods, techniques in a variety of style including jazz, hip hop, rock, R&B, pop, funk, Latin, and fusion. In addition to the piano, you can choose to focus on the keyboard/synthesizer or Hammond organ.
You must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program and have at least two years of playing experience.