The Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics are an opportunity to spend two weeks in Italy learning and improving your performance and musical skills with Berklee faculty. With 12 days of intense classes and performances, this program provides aspiring musicians with hands-on educational experiences that can foster musical growth and development. All classes and ensembles are taught in the world-famous Berklee tradition, with its emphasis on the use of jazz and contemporary music as the focal point for musical understanding.
The 2020 Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics mark the 35th year of the Berklee Umbria jazz collaboration, which has presented this remarkable educational opportunity to over 6,600 students from all over the world. Located in the beautiful city of Perugia in the center of Umbria, Italy, the program brings together over 200 students to form a community of musical dedication and enthusiasm that permits a shared learning experience. Located in a school in an historic section of Perugia, a campus environment is created to emulate the learning environment of Berklee's campus in Boston: performance classrooms are equipped with rhythm section instruments; large lectures are supported by audio, visual, and computerized presentations; a dedicated outdoor stage features daily concerts and jam sessions; and practice rooms, supportive staff, and administrators meet students' individual needs. Additionally, all students will receive free passes to the main stage at the Umbria Jazz Festival concerts, which are ongoing throughout the program.
All in all, the Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics combined with the 10-day Umbria Jazz Festival afford a unique opportunity to learn by day and to listen by night—a rare educational and entertainment experience.
Online Resources
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not able to conduct the Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics in 2020. However, there are many ways for you to continue to engage with Berklee online.
Berklee Summer Programs: Online Programs
We encourage you to consider Berklee’s summer programs, which are being offered through our online or remote format. These innovative and immersive experiences allow students from around the world to create music together, engage in meaningful learning with their teachers, and form lifelong friendships. Please visit berklee.edu/summer for more details.
Berklee Valencia Summer Programs: Online Programs
Berklee's Valencia, Spain, campus is offering their Summer Performance Program online. Connect and collaborate with musicians from around the world while you explore diverse musical styles through remote performances, master classes, and guest artist clinics. The Summer Performance Program will take place from July 13 to July 31, 2020. Please visit valencia.berklee.edu/summer for more details.
Coursera: Free Online Course Offerings
Berklee offers additional courses that may be audited for no cost through Coursera. There are offerings in both English and Spanish. Please visit coursera.org/berklee for more details.
What's the program like?
Performance
Group Lessons: These daily one-hour lessons will address topics normally included in traditional private lessons. As a student, you will receive instruction in instrumental technique (tone, articulation, intonation, expression, etc.), practice habits, and other related topics.
Vocal Program: This year’s vocal program will feature three elite voice teachers focusing on style, technique, theory, and performance skills. As a voice student, you will have the option to study the style of your choice. In addition, you will have the unique opportunity to perform with a variety of ensemble combinations, including the gospel choir.
Ensembles: As a student in the program, you will have the opportunity to play in group settings with students of similar playing abilities. While the emphasis is on jazz, other styles (pop, rock, Latin, etc.) will be offered within the program. Ensembles will meet each day of the program, and you will perform in a concert during the final days of the event. All ensembles will perform onstage within the Umbria Jazz Festival circuit at the conclusion of the program.
Theory and Improvisation: As a student in this program, you will be taught music theory and how to apply it to improvisation, performance, and musicianship. This daily class will provide you with a basic understanding of chord/scale relationships in direct correlation with the improvement of your aural skills.
Activities Open to All Students
Master Classes: These will be lectures/demonstrations by Berklee faculty and guest artists (pending availability) from the festival on various aspects of performing, improvisation, composition, and personal experience. There will be a wide variety of topics, and at times there may be group participation. Questions and group discussion will encompass part of the class, providing you with an opportunity to explore the artists' opinions and strategies for success.
Jam Sessions: These daily after-hour jam sessions will be informal performances on the Berklee stage. They will be open to all students.
Graduation Ceremonies: The final two-and-a-half days of the program feature a series of concerts in which all students and all ensembles participate. Concerts will be held on the Berklee stage and also on an Umbria Jazz Festival stage. Families of the students are invited to attend these concerts.
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Berklee College of Music
1140 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02215
Global Initiatives
telephone: +1 617-747-2700
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (EST) globalprograms@berklee.edu
