Berklee College of Music - Overview
Practical Skills, Classic Foundations, and State-of-the-Art Technology Keep Berklee Always on the Leading Edge
At Berklee, students acquire a strong foundation of contemporary music theory and technique, and then build upon that foundation by learning the practical, professional skills needed to sustain a career in music. Majors such as music production and engineering, film scoring, music business/management, music synthesis, songwriting, and music therapy, as well as traditional mainstays of performance and composition, lead toward either a fully accredited four-year baccalaureate degree or a professional diploma. Perhaps more importantly, they prepare students for employment in the music industry.
Berklee offers a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree program and a four-year program leading to a professional diploma. Students may choose to major in composition, contemporary writing and production, film scoring, jazz composition, music business/management, music education, music production and engineering, music synthesis, music therapy, performance, professional music, and songwriting. The college also offers a five-year, dual-major option in which students graduate with an even more marketable education that expands their career options in the music industry.
The bachelor's degree program offers a complete music curriculum combined with liberal arts courses such as English, history, languages, mathematics, philosophy, and physical or social science. Intensive concentration in music subjects provides students with the necessary tools for developing their musical talents to the fullest and preparing for the multifaceted and ever-changing demands of today's professional music. The degree program is especially appropriate for students who wish to earn a formal degree; are interested in pursuing a career in music education, music therapy, or business/management; or want to continue their studies at the graduate level.
The professional diploma program is designed for students who want to focus exclusively on contemporary music studies and still get the benefits of a Berklee experience. In all programs, students must complete the core music curriculum, which consists of harmony, arranging, ear training, and introduction to music technology; instrumental studies; ensembles and instrumental labs; and the concentrate courses designated for each major. In addition, all degree candidates must complete the general education curriculum and traditional music studies courses.
ProArts and Other Special Programs Offer a Wide Range of Additional Enriching Experiences for Berklee's Undergraduates
Through the Professional Arts Consortium (ProArts), an association of six area institutions of higher education dedicated to the performing and visual arts, Berklee students can take courses at leading Boston area arts institutions in such areas as communications, modern dance, visual arts, ballet, architectural and graphic design, theater arts, and liberal arts.
The other members of the consortium are Boston Architectural Center, the Boston Conservatory, Emerson College, Massachusetts College of Art, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Students who major in music business/management may be eligible to receive credit for their Berklee course work toward an M.B.A. from Suffolk University.
The Berklee International Network is a shared endeavor designed to promote the effectiveness of contemporary music education among members and to advance the value of contemporary music education internationally. Berklee faculty and staff members visit network member schools annually to conduct workshops and clinics and to audition students for scholarships for full-time study at Berklee.
Aspiring Musicians, Composers, and Producers from All Around the World Converge at Berklee to Meet the Future of Music
Berklee attracts a diverse range of students who reflect the multiplicity of influences in today's music, be it jazz, rock, hip-hop, country, gospel, electronica, Latin, or funk. The college is a magnet for aspiring musicians from every corner of the earth, which gives the school a uniquely international flavor. Of all U.S. colleges and universities, Berklee has one of the largest percentages of undergraduates from outside the United States: 25 percent. Reflecting the interplay between music and culture, Berklee creates an environment where aspiring music professionals learn how to integrate new ideas and showcase their distinctive skills in an evolving community.
Boston and the East Coast Offer the Cultural, Artistic, Educational, and Recreational Resources Berklee Students Need
Berklee College of Music is located in Boston's Fenway Cultural District. An international hub of intellectual and creative exploration, the neighborhood includes treasure-filled museums and galleries and world-class performing arts centers such as Symphony Hall, the Wang Center, and the Berklee Performance Center. Boston is also home to many of the world's other great colleges and universities.
In addition to the music made at Berklee, there is a lively club and concert scene in the area with coffee houses featuring folk and bluegrass music; neighborhood clubs offering jazz, reggae, and world music; and clubs specializing in rock, blues, dance, urban, and country-western music.
In addition, the entire East Coast is accessible with quick, low-cost transportation options that put New York, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and other cities within reach for their additional cultural and recreational options.
To Balance the Rigors of Schoolwork, Sports and Athletic Opportunities of All Kinds Are on Tap for Berklee Students
Berklee students participate in intramural sports and fitness programs at nearby institutions; watch Boston's professional sports teams play in the new TD Banknorth Garden or at Fenway Park or other area sports venues; attend theater, club, and concert hall events year-round throughout the city; and walk, skate, or bike through the city's many scenic parks and public gardens. The college is located within walking distance of Boston's public transportation system, allowing students to take advantage of all that Boston has to offer.