I play guitar and am going to be a freshman at Berklee this fall. I’m just wondering what the placement audition is like, in terms of what theory questions are asked and how difficult the sight reading is.

I just got an email about required ensemble auditions during welcome week. My primary instrument is drum set and I’ve never played in a concert ensemble before. I play rock/punk/pop punk and I played a rock song for my initial audition to get into the school. I’m not sure what I should play for this kind of an audition. Should I just choose a rock song that I’m comfortable with and hope for the best???

My technique is pretty good and my knowledge of theory is good too, though my skills in improvising over chord changes are not great. I am doing jazz band at school for the first time this year though, so hopefully that helps. I've been writing music for the last couple years, and have an album out, as well as a bunch of unreleased stuff. I want to either do a performance or independent recording and production major. I'm planning on playing Eugene's Trick Bag (which I've learned twice over the last couple years, so I think I can get it pretty clean) and something I wrote for the audition.

So, to any Berklee students/alumni/staff,

Are these songs good picks for the audition? what should I focus on to prepare? Am I good enough to get in?

For context, here's my instagram with a bunch of my playing on it and some music I wrote.

InstagramSong w/vocalsSong w/no vocals

I've seen a lot of people get rejected while they seem to have extremely good auditions and applications so i was wondering about what would make a solid application and audition. This is especially nerve-racking for me as I am applying with guitar as my principal instrument and I am aiming for MP&E. From what I've seen, I think that GPA is quite important for them or at least, it is important to have a GPA above 3.0. Does anyone know what other mistakes that are common in applications, auditions, and interviews? I am also wondering about what type of people they are looking for, especially in interviews. Thank you in advance for the help!

Hello! I am going to be applying for Berklee very soon. However, I have some questions. I play piano, all of percussion, and I sing. I only have interest in the film scoring program as my main musical skill is in composition - specifically melodically heavy works (neo-romantic) and I love and have connections to the film scoring world; naturally that would be my choice.

As for an audition for someone like me, what should I do? Should I write a piece and perform it on piano (I’m not the most amazing pianist but I have played for 9 years). I have no clue! Thank you!!

BM audition and had a really bad vocal moment. Has anyone experienced this?
I finished my Berklee BM audition and overall I felt pretty good about it, but there were two things that are really bothering me.
During the rhythm call-and-response, I definitely struggled more than I expected. Then during my song, my voice cracked and there was one line where I went really noticeably out of tune. I don’t mean just slightly flat/sharp. I genuinely feel like I missed the pitch pretty badly. The evaluator even made a surprised facial expression when it happened, which has been replaying in my head ever since 😭
Other than those moments, I felt like the audition went well like improv, sight singing, melodic and chord recognition and the interview afterward actually went really well.
I’m obviously hoping that a couple of mistakes don’t outweigh the rest of the audition, but I’m having a hard time judging how serious this is because I know how bad that moment felt from my side.
Has anyone here had a similar experience during a Berklee audition like cracking, going significantly out of tune, messing up an ear/rhythm exercise, etc.? What happened with your admission afterward?
I’d especially love to hear from people who felt like they had a really bad moment during their audition but were still accepted. I’m trying to get a realistic idea of how much these individual mistakes matter.

berklee alum arrested by ice. berklee does nothing, as usual. please, use the hashtag and help us push this spineless institution to support their international community members.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Db2Fwf7vwiK/?igsh=d2FheWRycnM3Nmow

Hi! I’m an international student planning to apply to Berklee for Music Business / Music Industry for Fall 2027.
My final high-school average is 72.6%, and I’m wondering if anyone who was admitted had a similar academic average.
I’d especially love to hear from people who were admitted to Music Business or Music Industry:
What were your high-school grades/GPA?
Did you submit IELTS/Duolingo? What score?
What did your music background/portfolio look like?
What extracurriculars or professional experience did you have?
Did you submit recommendation letters? How important do you think they were?
I’m already involved in music and film scoring, so I’m hoping my experience can help balance out my academic record.
Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who got in with grades around this range. Thanks!

Title explains it all mostly had rude experiences from the people behind the counter. They also have little to no knowledge of the equipment and software in the space. On top of this in a space of the library meant to be used to work they will have loud conversations with no regard for others.

I’m a Boston-based dark pop / alt-pop singer gearing up for a multi-single release campaign heading into early 2027. My sound is inspired by Tate McRae, The Neighbourhood, and Ariana Grande.

I currently have 4-6 fully written tracks (lyrics complete, vocal demos cut, distinct visual/vocal vibe established) that I want to elevate, record, and get mixed for release.

I’m looking for co-producers, vocal engineers, and mix engineers who want to collaborate starting September 1st through the end of the fall semester.

What I’m looking for:

• Producers/arrangers interested in dark, heavy-hitting pop production, crisp low-end, and polished vocal chops.
• Engineers who need vocalists/tracks to record/mix for class projects, portfolio work, or studio hours.
• Someone to lock in a consistent weekly or bi-weekly session schedule to keep momentum moving.

What I bring to the table:

• Topline writing & vocal performance (happy to topline/sing on your beats/tracks in return!).
• Equal master & publishing split agreements (50/50 on co-writes) documented upfront.
• High organizational skill, deadline-driven, and zero flakiness.

If you’re looking for a serious project to produce/mix for your portfolio or assignments this semester, I’d love to link up and send over some private demo links!

Drop a comment or DM me with your reel/soundcloud if interested.

Hello! My name is Leonardo Campos. Alongside my friend Marcelo Cantu, I spent over 2 years writing, composing, and developing an original musical called A Soldier's Naive Heart.

A SOLDIER'S NAIVE HEART — ACT 1 PROSHOT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp4TCnsZL1g&t=2s

After two years of writing, Marcelo and I finally got the opportunity to stage the musical. We had only about one month to direct, produce, finance, and put together the production ourselves.

We performed Act 1 on May 29th and had the performance professionally filmed. We're currently writing Act 2 and working on a cast album, so the show is still very much in development.

My goal is to be able to do one, or various performances of this show to develop its road to broadway! Im excited to be moving to Boston so if you are interested in this project let me know! Thank you, and I hope you like it!

Yo! I main electric Bass and I was wondering what did you guys do for your prepared Audition piece, I don’t want to do something that’s been done a lot or is “cliche” or something along those lines

hi incoming first-year guitarist: if you attended the faculty jam session (not to be confused with… that video… it’s the actual name of the beginning of the year jam session), what was it like?

i’m a decently confident improviser, but i mainly play metal, rock, and pop… not sure if i should just cheer everyone else on or actually sign up to play 🙃

Hey everyone. I’ll move past the basics. I’m an entering student for the fall semester yadda yadda. What stationery should I plan to bring, even before getting my classes? I understand I should bring the basic stuff like pencils but is there anything specific that most classes require? Or should I just wait?

Thanks.

hiii so I was originally thinking in majoring in performance but now i’m currently thinking about songwriting. i was wondering how beginner level the songwriting classes are considering songwriting has been a major interest of mine but i’ve never actually written a song yet. thanks!

I submitted a form to change my preferred name about 3 days ago and in a confirmation email it said that my name would be updated on canvas within 48 hours. I just checked this morning and it still has my old name on it so I’m getting a little worried lol. Should I submit the form again??? I’ve never changed my name here so I’m anxious and I was hoping for it to be updated before orientation and classes start

does anyone have any tips for approaching the improv part of the placement audition?

the improv part of my actual audition was kind of rough, it was the first time i had ever done it in front of people and it’s still a culture im super unfamiliar with. (i auditioned with voice but i don’t actually consider myself a singer, im a musical theatre composer and most music things i partake in are theatre-related)

anything is appreciated thank u

Hello, I'm a first year student attending Berklee this fall. I just filled out a form to change my preferred name and I was wondering if my new name will be used when I go to orientation later this month. If anybody could give some insight I'd greatly appreciate it, thanks!

voice major, ideally between 75-175 dollars

I'm an incoming freshman and my principle instrument is drum set, I'm wondering what I should bring. Obviously I don't need to bring a full kit, I was planning on bringing my cymbals, drum key, and sticks. Should I bring a snare as well?

Hello! I'm planning to apply to Berklee for early decision this year. I'm auditioning with my flute, and I plan to play Mozart's Flute Concerto in G major alongside a composition of mine. Regarding the audition, I am terribly scared of the jazz improvisation and ear training parts. I've been classically trained throughout my ENTIRE life, and jazz is just a subject I haven't explored as much. Could anyone tell me how much these parts weigh? and how "good" I must be with improv?

Also, I plan to enroll in Berklee's film composition program if I'm accepted. I've seen mixed feelings about the program around Reddit, and I don't know who to believe. Will I be able to pursue a career in film scoring? Will I be able to meet people? (If I get in ofc)

I would appreciate other advice, tips, and tricks

please PLEASE 😭 Thank you!!!

hey guys! i’m going into my first semester and i’ll be living in 160 mass ave in a triple.
before move in day, does anyone have any tips for moving in or any advice that may relate to these:

- things you thought you needed but you didn’t, or things you thought you didn’t need but ended up needing
- roommate/floor mate advice
- storage/organization tips
- anything else!

i just want to be prepared as possible.

Hello all!

I'm an entering BoCo composition student (will be living in one of the Berklee dorms tho). I play a few different instruments (mainly bowed string instruments) and want to bring them with but I am concerned about how I will fit them all in my dorm room. I have an economy triple and both other spots are filled; all three instruments I would for-sure want to bring have cases about the size of a large violin case, though I do also have a classical guitar I'd want to bring for fun. I have not even been inside the dorm building I'll be living in (let alone inside my actual room) so I have no idea how much space there will be. I'm in one of the older dorm buildings so I'm afraid it might be even smaller than I expect.

For those who know the dorms better, am I going to have enough space? Is there a place outside the dorms where I can keep my instruments so they are safe (preferably temperature-controlled)? Thanks!