Vocal Summit

Boston
Ages 15+
Your voice—it’s your instrument. Take the next step to develop your sound in this five-day program with instruction in vocal technique, style, performance skills, singing with a band, group singing, and a cappella performance. Open to vocalists, singer-songwriters, and instrumentalists who sing, Vocal Summit will let you explore the world of contemporary vocal music.
Dates
June 17-June 22
Check-in Time
Coming Soon
Move-out
2024-06-22, 07:00 PM
Tuition
$1,295
Housing
$895
Registration fee
$50 (nonrefundable)
 

How to Enroll

  1. Submit your registration by May 1.* Begin by submitting your registration online. If applicable, you may need to submit additional supporting materials.
  2. Make your tuition payment by May 1.* All programs have limited capacity, so be sure to complete your full tuition payment to reserve your space in the program.
  3. Request housing. Students who are 15 years of age or older by the start of their Boston-based program are eligible to stay in on-campus housing. If you meet the eligibility requirements and have indicated that you would like to request on-campus housing, please revisit your registration portal and submit a Residence Hall Agreement.

*Please note: This program has limited capacity. Submission of registration materials alone does not guarantee participation in the program. You will secure your spot by paying in full.

Curriculum

The Vocal Summit program offers styles in pop-rock, pop and R&B, jazz, and musical theater. You'll select one style to study during the program and participate in several core classes throughout the week.

  • Solo coaching: These are small classes where singers perform solo songs with accompaniment in a master class setting. Students will be coached on interpretation, phrasing, expression, timbre, register, key selection, working with a band, count-offs, cues, cutoffs, microphone technique, and stage presence. 
  • Ensembles: Vocal ensembles are groups of 20–40 singers directed by Berklee faculty and accompanied by a rhythm section. Each ensemble will perform one musical selection at the final concert.

Students will also select workshops to attend throughout the program. Electives for 2022 are not yet available, but the following list of electives offered in 2019 will give you a sense of what to expect:

  • Vocal Technique Overview
  • Improvisation for Vocalists
  • Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Background Singing
  • Ace the Audition
  • How to Record and Mix Vocals
  • Voicework: Vocal Technique 
  • Empowerment for the Emerging Artist
  • Learn to Beat Box
  • Singer-Songwriter Workshop
  • Soul, R&B: The Past, Present, and Future
  • Musical Theater Audition Techniques
  • Demystifying the Mix Voice
Schedule

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

TimeEvent
8 AM–8:50 AMBreakfast
9 AM–10:50 AMEnsemble or solo coaching
11 AM–12:50 PMEnsemble or solo coaching
1 PM–1:50 PMLunch
2 PM–3 PMVisiting artist presentation
4 PM–5:50 PMWorkshops
6 PM–7:20 PMDinner
7:30 PM–8:50 PMVisiting artist concert
9:00 PM–10:20 PMOpen mics

Schedule subject to change.

Performance Opportunities

The program culminates in a final showcase of student ensembles. Each student will take the stage and participate in at least one ensemble.

Students also have the opportunity to perform in open mics each evening. Open mics are a great chance for students to perform in a different style than their elected style for classes.

All performances are open to friends and family.

Requirements

General Requirements

All students 15 and older with six months of singing experience are welcome to attend.

Participants must possess a proficient level of English to enroll in this program. We do not require proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) as part of the enrollment or application process; however, you are expected to have a sufficient command of the English language to understand class material and assignments.

Required Materials

Please prepare four songs that you are confident performing, preferably from memory, for your solo coaching class. Bring four copies of a lead sheet for each song you will sing, ensuring the song is in a comfortable key for you. To learn more about converting sheet music to a lead sheet, refer to the resources below:

For hygiene reasons, vocalists are required to bring their own low-impedance microphone and microphone cable (XLR). If you bring a mic, please label it so it does not get lost. Review our list of instruments and gear to bring to your program in this Help Center article.

Once You've Enrolled

The Berklee Summer Programs Team is excited that you've taken the first step! Now that you've enrolled, here's what to know, to be sure you're prepared before and after you check in for the experience of a lifetime.

What to do first?

Complete These Tasks by June

Prepare to Arrive and Check In

Access the Summer Programs Help Center

Explore some of these top articles from the Summer Programs Help Center.