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Berklee College of Music

Boston, MA

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

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 AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick Links

BM Performance

Bass

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

•Bass concentration within Berklee's Bachelor of Music in Performance

Training

•Develop electric or acoustic bass technique, tone, time, groove, improvisation, and ensemble communication

•Prepare across jazz two-feel and walking bass, pop-rock straight eighths, samba, bossa nova, funk, and related contemporary styles

•Build bass lines over standard progressions while studying musicianship, recording, and live performance

Performance & Productions

•Apply bass skills in ensembles, recording sessions, concerts, and collaborative projects across Berklee's performance community

•Work with private faculty instruction, practice facilities, and technology that support a sustainable professional practice

Study Abroad

•Valencia, Spain study-abroad opportunities can extend the performance experience

School Info

Snapshot

3.00

Avg GPA (W)

44%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

7.5K

Enrollment

$34K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$55,620

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$85,817

Before aid

Average Net Price

$49,465

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 4, 11:08 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Bass concentration within Berklee's Bachelor of Music in Performance

Training

•Develop electric or acoustic bass technique, tone, time, groove, improvisation, and ensemble communication

•Prepare across jazz two-feel and walking bass, pop-rock straight eighths, samba, bossa nova, funk, and related contemporary styles

•Build bass lines over standard progressions while studying musicianship, recording, and live performance

Performance & Productions

•Apply bass skills in ensembles, recording sessions, concerts, and collaborative projects across Berklee's performance community

•Work with private faculty instruction, practice facilities, and technology that support a sustainable professional practice

Study Abroad

•Valencia, Spain study-abroad opportunities can extend the performance experience

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Bass concentration within Berklee's Bachelor of Music in Performance

Training

•Develop electric or acoustic bass technique, tone, time, groove, improvisation, and ensemble communication

•Prepare across jazz two-feel and walking bass, pop-rock straight eighths, samba, bossa nova, funk, and related contemporary styles

•Build bass lines over standard progressions while studying musicianship, recording, and live performance

Performance & Productions

•Apply bass skills in ensembles, recording sessions, concerts, and collaborative projects across Berklee's performance community

•Work with private faculty instruction, practice facilities, and technology that support a sustainable professional practice

Study Abroad

•Valencia, Spain study-abroad opportunities can extend the performance experience

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$150

Opens

Jul 1, 2026

Deadline

Early Action (Fall)Nov 1, 2026

Regular Action (Fall)Jan 15, 2027

Source 1 Source 2

Program AppApplication

Auditions

Audition and interview — Boston, MA

Jul 25, 2026Aug 1 & 15, 2026Nov 14 & 21, 2026Dec 5, 2026Jan 9 & 30, 2027Feb 20 & 27, 2027Mar 6, 2027

Audition and interview — Online

Jul 27, 2026Aug 17, 2026Sep 28, 2026Oct 19, 2026Nov 2 & 30, 2026Dec 7 & 14, 2026Jan 4 & 15, 2027Feb 8 & 22, 2027Mar 1 & 8, 2027Apr 5, 2027

Audition and interview — Online (Asian Region)

Aug 6, 2026Nov 12, 2026Dec 3, 2026Jan 7, 2027Feb 11 & 25, 2027Mar 4, 2027

Audition and interview — Seoul, South Korea

Oct 27–28, 2026Nov 1–2, 2026

Audition and interview — Bogota, ColombiaNov 6–7, 2026

Audition and interview — New York, NY

Nov 18–19 & 21–22, 2026Feb 10–11 & 13–14, 2027

Audition and interview — Los Angeles, CA

Nov 18–19 & 21–22, 2026Feb 20–21 & 23–24, 2027

Audition and interview — Quito, EcuadorNov 21, 2026

Audition and interview — Chicago, IL

Nov 21–22, 2026Feb 20–21, 2027

Audition and interview — Hong Kong, ChinaDec 4–6, 2026

Audition and interview — Detroit, MIDec 4, 2026

Audition and interview — Baltimore, MDDec 5–6, 2026

Audition and interview — Interlochen, MIDec 6, 2026

Audition and interview — Paris, FranceDec 11–12, 2026

Audition and interview — Santo Domingo, DRJan 5–6 & 8–9, 2027

Audition and interview — Shanghai, ChinaJan 7–8 & 10, 2027

Audition and interview — Tokyo, JapanJan 8–9, 2027

Audition and interview — SingaporeJan 12–13, 2027

Audition and interview — Panama City, PanamaJan 14, 2027

Audition and interview — New Delhi, IndiaJan 22, 2027

Audition and interview — Atlanta, GAAudition and interview — Houston, TXJan 30–31, 2027

Audition and interview — Vancouver, BCJan 31, 2027

Audition and interview — Nashville, TNFeb 2, 2027

Audition and interview — Fort Worth, TXAudition and interview — Seattle, WAFeb 2–3, 2027

Audition and interview — Thessaloniki, GreeceFeb 4, 2027

Audition and interview — Miami, FLAudition and interview — Toronto, CanadaFeb 6–7, 2027

Audition and interview — Oakland, CAFeb 6–8, 2027

Audition and interview — Athens, GreeceFeb 7, 2027

Audition and interview — Orlando, FLFeb 9–10, 2027

Audition and interview — Stockholm, SwedenFeb 9, 2027

Audition and interview — Phoenix, AZFeb 12, 2027

Audition and interview — Denver, COFeb 14, 2027

Audition and interview — Ho Chi Minh, VietnamFeb 15, 2027

Audition and interview — Philadelphia, PAFeb 17–18, 2027

Audition and interview — Mexico City, MexicoFeb 19–20, 2027

Audition and interview — London, EnglandFeb 19–20 & 22–23, 2027

Audition and interview — Washington, DCFeb 20–21, 2027

Audition and interview — Sao Paulo, BrazilFeb 28, 2027

Official Source

Audition Requirements

Letters of Recommendation

•Up to two letters

Video

•Optional videos of your musical abilities may be included

Essay

•Optional personal essay may be included

Official SourceVerified for Fall 2027 entry

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)

Principal Instrument

•You declare a single principal instrument when you submit the application; the audition assesses that instrument only

•To change your audition instrument after applying, email eo@berklee.edu

Enrollment

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

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

Program Requirements

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

Transfer Pathway

For this Berklee program/track, accepted transfer applicants can receive evaluated transfer credit, including credit-transfer agreements and placement assessments that may shorten time to degree. Major prerequisites and music-course credit are reviewed case by case, so students should plan with admissions and the department.

Official Source

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Applying as a Bachelor of Music student requires one live audition and interview on your declared principal instrument

•Select preferred locations in the application form (Boston campus, regional US sites, international sites, or online)

•An invitation with date and time is posted in the applicant portal approximately four weeks before your scheduled audition

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

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

•15-minute conversation about your past musical experiences, goals, and how Berklee fits your plans

•Live audition details - REPERTOIRE LIST:

•One piece, 3-5 minutes, performed live on your principal instrument - no prerecorded performances

•Choose a piece that highlights your strengths and best abilities

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

•A standard or jazz tune (may include blues or rhythm changes) with your own improvisation

•A composition from the instrumental repertoire, or a movement, sonata, concerto, or etude

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

•Be prepared to play bass lines in several styles (jazz two-feel, walking, pop-rock straight eights, samba, bossa, funk) over standard chord progressions

Audition Expectations

•Process takes about one hour after check-in: a 15-minute audition followed by a 15-minute interview

•Check in 30 minutes before your scheduled time

•Prepared piece (3-5 minutes) performed live on your primary instrument - no prerecorded performances

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

•Sight-reading of written notation

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

Contact

•Auditions@berklee.edu or 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

School Info

Snapshot

3.00

Avg GPA (W)

44%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

7.5K

Enrollment

$34K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$55,620

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$85,817

Before aid

Average Net Price

$49,465

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•Bass concentration within Berklee's Bachelor of Music in Performance

Training

•Develop electric or acoustic bass technique, tone, time, groove, improvisation, and ensemble communication

•Prepare across jazz two-feel and walking bass, pop-rock straight eighths, samba, bossa nova, funk, and related contemporary styles

•Build bass lines over standard progressions while studying musicianship, recording, and live performance

Performance & Productions

•Apply bass skills in ensembles, recording sessions, concerts, and collaborative projects across Berklee's performance community

•Work with private faculty instruction, practice facilities, and technology that support a sustainable professional practice

Study Abroad

•Valencia, Spain study-abroad opportunities can extend the performance experience

Updated Aug 4, 11:08 PM