Berklee College of Music

Practical Skills, Classic Foundations, and State-of-the-Art Technology Keep Berklee Always on the Leading Edge

Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music is through the study and practice of contemporary music. For more than half a century, the college has evolved to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. With more than a dozen performance and nonperformance majors, 15 minors, and six graduate programs, not to mention a diverse and talented student body representing more than 80 countries and a music industry "who's who" of alumni, Berklee is the world's premier learning lab for the music of today and tomorrow. 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. A range of majors lead toward either a fully accredited four-year bachelor of music (B.M.) degree or a professional diploma. Perhaps more importantly, they prepare students for employment in the music industry. 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, or 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 prepares them 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; and/or who 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 concentrated courses designated for each major. In addition, all degree candidates must complete the liberal arts 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 Boston-area institutions of higher education dedicated to the performing and visual arts, Berklee students can take courses at other leading area arts institutions in areas such as communications, modern dance, visual arts, ballet, architectural and graphic design, and theater arts. The other members of the consortium are Boston Architectural College, the Boston Conservatory, Emerson College, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts-Boston. Students who major in music business/management may be eligible to receive credit for their Berklee coursework 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, bluegrass, 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 U.S. - more than 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 a vibrant and engaged community.

Boston and the East Coast Offer the Cultural, Artistic, Educational, and Recreational Resources Berklee Students Need

The college is located in Boston, Massachusetts in the heart of the city's Fenway cultural district. An international hub of intellectual and creative exploration, Boston's neighborhoods include many of the world's other great colleges and universities, treasure-filled museums and galleries, and world-class performing arts centers like Symphony Hall and the Berklee Performance Center. 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. 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 additional cultural and recreational options.

To Balance the Rigors of Schoolwork, Sports and Athletic Opportunities of All Kinds Are on Tap for Berklee Students

Students participate in competitive collegiate and intramural sports and fitness programs at Berklee and at other ProArts Consortium member institutions. Via a partnership with Emerson College, Berklee students are welcomed to try out for and, often, become crucial members of Emerson's NCAA Division III teams. In addition, students enjoy professional sporting events like baseball with the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, hockey with the Boston Bruins, basketball with the Boston Celtics, and football with the New England Patriots. Students often attend theater, club, and concert hall events year-round throughout the city and walk and bike through the city's many parks and public gardens. Berklee is located within walking distance of Boston's public transportation system, allowing students to take advantage of all that Boston has to offer.

Berklee Opens First International Campus in Valencia, Spain

Berklee College of Music has launched an international campus in Valencia, Spain in the heart of the City of Arts and Sciences complex in the Palau de les Arts. Valencia boasts the highest number of musicians per capita and thousands of Valencians of all ages are involved in musical activities. Featuring more than 500 symphonic bands throughout the region and representing countless music styles, including classical, rock, pop, and jazz, the Berklee campus in Valencia aims to be a main hub for the study, evolution, and global proliferation of many music genres, including flamenco, in European, Latin American, Middle Eastern countries, and all over the world.