Credit Track Information for the 2019 Berklee in Puerto Rico Program

Please review the following information to help you prepare for the requirements of the college credit track. You will receive complete details about your individual schedule when you register for the program. 

Credit Track Syllabus

Final Presentation

Students enrolled in the college credit track must choose one of the following topics to prepare for their final presentation. You will be assigned a presentation date and time once classes have begun.

Students must bring all recordings, charts, instruments, and/or documents needed for their performance on their assigned presentation day.

The final presentation must not exceed five minutes, including setup time.

1. Transcribe or compose a solo over a standard or traditional song of any style. The solo must be 32 bars minimum or three choruses on a blues. The transcription or composition must be written out, and the student has to be able to perform it at the presentation.
2. Explain how a music style or the work of a traditional or contemporary artist influenced you, i.e., discuss the music of Puerto Rico or gospel music, or the music of Stevie Wonder or Ricky Martin. Present a brief analysis of the music style or the artist’s work.
3. Perform a standard or traditional song in its original style and then perform it with a personal interpretation or arrangement. For example, play or sing a jazz standard as written or originally recorded, and then perform it with a reharmonization, with a different groove, or sung in a different style.
4. For bass players: Transcribe or compose a bass line over a standard-traditional song of any style, 32 bars minimum or three choruses on a blues. The transcription or composition must be written out, and the student has to be able to perform it at the presentation.
5. For hand percussionists and drummers: Perform a groove of your choice from a folkloric, traditional, or contemporary music style. You must play different parts of the rhythm and explain the adaptation to the drum set or percussion instruments.