Instrumental 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.