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Berklee College of Music

Boston, MA

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Browse programs

Concentrations

Quick Links

BM Performance

Voice

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BM Performance

Voice

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BM Songwriting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program Recognition

•World's largest independent music school and premier institution for the study of contemporary music

•Ranked among the top five best music schools by The Hollywood Reporter

•Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education

Training

•Most comprehensive voice education available anywhere

•Training across all contemporary styles including jazz, R&B, rock, country, pop, theater, and global styles

•Philosophy founded on experimentation — create an individual musical identity rather than being limited to one style

•Performance is the largest major at the college

Performance & Productions

•Vocal labs, performance studies courses, and ensembles in diverse performance contexts

•Performances at the Berklee Performance Center

•Recording sessions, concerts, festivals, and tours through the ensemble program

Notable Alumni

•Paula Cole — Grammy-winning singer-songwriter ("Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?", Dawson's Creek theme)

•Lalah Hathaway — five-time Grammy-winning R&B and jazz vocalist

•Tierney Sutton — eight-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist

Study Abroad

•Study abroad at the Valencia, Spain campus (recommended during 3rd-6th semester)

Academic info

Snapshot

3.00

Avg GPA (W)

44%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

7.5K

Enrollment

$34K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$49,465

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$52,040

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$42,734

$30-48k$37,987

$48-75k$47,799

$75-110k$46,801

$110k+$54,676

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated May 31, 10:34 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•World's largest independent music school and premier institution for the study of contemporary music

•Ranked among the top five best music schools by The Hollywood Reporter

•Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education

Training

•Most comprehensive voice education available anywhere

•Training across all contemporary styles including jazz, R&B, rock, country, pop, theater, and global styles

•Philosophy founded on experimentation — create an individual musical identity rather than being limited to one style

•Performance is the largest major at the college

Performance & Productions

•Vocal labs, performance studies courses, and ensembles in diverse performance contexts

•Performances at the Berklee Performance Center

•Recording sessions, concerts, festivals, and tours through the ensemble program

Notable Alumni

•Paula Cole — Grammy-winning singer-songwriter ("Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?", Dawson's Creek theme)

•Lalah Hathaway — five-time Grammy-winning R&B and jazz vocalist

•Tierney Sutton — eight-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist

Study Abroad

•Study abroad at the Valencia, Spain campus (recommended during 3rd-6th semester)

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•World's largest independent music school and premier institution for the study of contemporary music

•Ranked among the top five best music schools by The Hollywood Reporter

•Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education

Training

•Most comprehensive voice education available anywhere

•Training across all contemporary styles including jazz, R&B, rock, country, pop, theater, and global styles

•Philosophy founded on experimentation — create an individual musical identity rather than being limited to one style

•Performance is the largest major at the college

Performance & Productions

•Vocal labs, performance studies courses, and ensembles in diverse performance contexts

•Performances at the Berklee Performance Center

•Recording sessions, concerts, festivals, and tours through the ensemble program

Notable Alumni

•Paula Cole — Grammy-winning singer-songwriter ("Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?", Dawson's Creek theme)

•Lalah Hathaway — five-time Grammy-winning R&B and jazz vocalist

•Tierney Sutton — eight-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist

Study Abroad

•Study abroad at the Valencia, Spain campus (recommended during 3rd-6th semester)

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$150

Deadline

Spring EnrollmentJul 1, 2025

Early Action (Fall)Nov 1, 2025

Summer EnrollmentDec 1, 2025

Regular Action (Fall)Jan 15, 2026

Audition Requirements

Songs

Requirements

•Prepared PIECE, 3-5 Minutes

•Perform one piece on your primary instrument (voice)

•Must be performed live — no prerecorded performances

•Select a piece that highlights your strengths and best abilities

Repertoire Options

•A tune from a well-known artist or band (any style)

•A standard or jazz tune with your own improvisation

•A composition from the vocal repertoire (movement, sonata, concerto, or etude)

•A transcription of a well-known artist's solo

•Original compositions welcome for songwriters (limit 3 min, plus a second piece from the list above)

Accompaniment

•Berklee does not provide an accompanist

•You may use a backing track or bring a live accompanist

•You may accompany yourself on another instrument (guitar, piano), but assessment is based solely on vocal abilities

•Microphone use is optional — bring your own if preferred

Additional Materials

Letters of recommendation (optional)

•Up to two letters

Video (optional)

•Videos of your musical abilities

Essay (optional)

•Personal essay

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply at berklee.edu/apply — Berklee does NOT accept the Common App

•Application fee: $150 (50% off for Early Action applicants who apply by November 1)

Enrollment

•BM admits new students for fall (September), spring (January), and summer (May) terms

•Major declaration is not required at application — BM students declare after the second or third semester

Program Requirements

•Berklee is test-blind — SAT/ACT scores are not required

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Select preferred locations in the application form

•Invitation with date and time details sent approximately four weeks before

•Confirm your scheduled time immediately or your space will be given to another applicant

•Do not make travel arrangements until you have confirmed your assignment

•Boston campus, regional sites across the US and worldwide, or online

•In-person and online auditions are weighted equally for admission and scholarship consideration

Audition Expectations

•15-minute audition followed by 15-minute interview

•Check in 30 minutes before your scheduled time

•Total process takes approximately one hour after check-in

•Prepared piece (3-5 minutes on your primary instrument)

•Improvisation over a short progression or drum beat (I-IV-V blues)

•Sight-reading of written notation

•Ear training (call and response, interval identification, pitch matching)

Contact

•admissions@berklee.edu

•617-747-2221 or 800-BERKLEE

Scholarship Info

Merit-Based Scholarships

•All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships during the audition and interview

•No separate scholarship application required

•Online auditions are weighted the same as in-person for scholarship consideration

•Scholarship decision issued with the admissions decision

Academic info

Snapshot

3.00

Avg GPA (W)

44%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

7.5K

Enrollment

$34K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$49,465

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$52,040

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$42,734

$30-48k$37,987

$48-75k$47,799

$75-110k$46,801

$110k+$54,676

View full data on College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•World's largest independent music school and premier institution for the study of contemporary music

•Ranked among the top five best music schools by The Hollywood Reporter

•Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education

Training

•Most comprehensive voice education available anywhere

•Training across all contemporary styles including jazz, R&B, rock, country, pop, theater, and global styles

•Philosophy founded on experimentation — create an individual musical identity rather than being limited to one style

•Performance is the largest major at the college

Performance & Productions

•Vocal labs, performance studies courses, and ensembles in diverse performance contexts

•Performances at the Berklee Performance Center

•Recording sessions, concerts, festivals, and tours through the ensemble program

Notable Alumni

•Paula Cole — Grammy-winning singer-songwriter ("Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?", Dawson's Creek theme)

•Lalah Hathaway — five-time Grammy-winning R&B and jazz vocalist

•Tierney Sutton — eight-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist

Study Abroad

•Study abroad at the Valencia, Spain campus (recommended during 3rd-6th semester)

Updated May 31, 10:34 PM

Berklee College of Music

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info

Berklee College of Music

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info