Songwriting Workshop

• Songwriting Class: Taught by our renowned Songwriting Department, you will explore song form, melody, lyrics, and chord progressions.
• Mentoring Group: Mentors are handpicked Berklee alumni who have been chosen for their talent, their dedication to craft, and their ability to give compassionate and specific feedback while helping orient students to their first Berklee experience.
• Visiting Artist Presentation: Every year, we ask visiting artists to share their experiences in the industry as songwriters. Topics range from songwriting techniques and improving your artistry to business tips and career advice. Previous visiting artists include Wrabel, Kara DioGuardi, and Will Dailey.

Students will attend three mandatory electives and may elect to take three additional electives as well. Each participant will rank their topic preferences before starting the program. Though electives for 2020 are not yet available, the following list of electives offered in 2019 will give you a sense of what to expect:

• Writer Camp (two electives)
• Singer-Songwriter Workshop
• Working with a Band (three electives)
• Introduction to Production for Songwriters (two electives)
• ​DIY Singer-Songwriter
• Write a Song in 90 Minutes
• Stage Performance Workshop
• Hip-Hop Songwriting
• Topline Writing for Pop, R&B, and EDM
• Vocal Techniques for Songwriters
• Guitar Style for Songwriters
• Keyboard Styles for Songwriters
• Songwriting for Film and TV
• Improvisation Workshop
• Mailbox Money: Making a Living with Your Music
• Marketing and Media for Songwriters
• Intermediate/Advanced Harmony for Songwriters (two electives)
• Contemporary Musical Theater Writing

Below is a sample of a typical day in the program.

Time

Event

8:00 a.m.–8:50 a.m.

Breakfast

9:00 a.m.–10:20 a.m.

Mentoring Group or Songwriting Class

10:30 a.m.–11:50 a.m.

Mentoring Group or Songwriting Class

12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

Lunch

1:00 p.m.–2:20 p.m.

Visiting Artist Presentation

2:30 p.m.–3:50 p.m.

Elective or Master Class

4:00 p.m.–5:20 p.m.

Elective

5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. 

Dinner

7:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

Open Mics

Schedule subject to change

Students have the opportunity to perform in multiple open mics throughout the program. 

All performances are free and open to friends and family. 

All students 15 and older with some background in songwriting are welcome to attend.

• A notebook: be sure to bring a notebook or some other way to save your ideas—you will have lots of them.
• A completed song (optional): You may want to showcase a work during your time at the Songwriting Workshop. To do so, you may either bring a recording or prepare a performance. Typed lyrics or a lead sheet are also necessary to supplement a completed song. A lead sheet consists of the melody transcribed on staff paper, with the lyrics below and the chord symbols above the melody.
• An instrument (optional): along with your instrument, please bring any accessories (capo, tuner, strap, etc.) you may wish to have with you, and label them with your name and phone number.