Placement Auditions and Assessments

Placement Auditions 

Remember, as an entering student, you have already proven yourself to be a musician of remarkable talent. The purpose of the placement audition is to assess your current skill level relative to the curriculum. This assessment will help the college place you into an appropriate ensemble and private lesson that will best support your educational needs, along with students of similar ability. You will audition with faculty members from your instrumental department and the Ensemble Department. While auditions differ by department, you are typically asked to perform with accompaniment as well as sight-read, improvise, and play or sing a short piece from your repertoire. Auditions will last about 15 minutes.

More information is below to help you prepare for your audition; each instrumental department has provided preparation materials.

Your assigned audition date, time, and location will be sent to your Berklee email address about a week before orientation begins.

 

Note: entering voice principals have the option to participate in a remote audition before arriving for orientation. Visit the "Voice Department" tab below for instructions on how to sign up.

 Students will have an assigned audition during orientation week. As a new Berklee student, you have already proven yourself to be a musician of remarkable talent. These placement assessments are simply to ensure that you are working with musicians of similar abilities, and that your instructors know how best to challenge and encourage your creativity.

How to Prepare for Your Audition

  1. Review the preparation materials for your instrument.
  2. Students may perform any music for their assessment, including original songs and classical music.
  3. Vocalists may accompany themselves on acoustic guitar or piano (this is recommended only if you are highly proficient on your accompanying instrument). Alternatively, vocalists may use a backing track that has been downloaded and does not require internet access.
  4. This page is updated to include links to the audition packet for each instrument. This includes the sheet music for musical examples you will be asked to perform during your audition. Download and print the packet for your instrument.



Additional Proficiency Assessment and Exams