so im applying to berklee by nov 1 on EA and as an international student who is an indian classical vocalist, i dont have a lot of idea about western music theory. i'm learning chords but i don't know how to sight read. can anyone explain how to start, what to actually study and what are the sight reading samples in audition generally like, because i have around 2-3 months to figure it out before my audition.
thank you <3

I’m auditioning for Berklee this winter as a vocalist. Can you guys give me some examples of what the sight reading might look like? How much time do they give u to first read the music and then perform it? I looked at the lead sheets for the practice improv music on their website. Is that what they’re going to give me?

This is super random lmao but does anyone know if we need to bring our own yoga mat for the yoga classes during orientation or do they provide them

Hey guys! I’m a 3rd year northeastern student who’s tryna create an alt-rock/acoustic-pop/rhythm & blues community in the Boston area. The idea is to have small indie artist/musicians meet up at The Record Co. rehearsal rooms on Saturdays from around 12pm - 2pm and just jam out and make connections with each other! If you are a small artist/musician whose serious about music and like listening to artist like Aretha Franklin, Radiohead, Fleetwood Mac, John Mayer etc. shoot me a DM on insta and I’ll add ya to the group chat (There are currently 4 of us in this group) Feel free to spread the word to other college students! All intermediate-advanced instrumentalist / vocalist are welcome!!! [especially drummers :)]

We plan on starting jam sessions Sept 12th 2026!

Insta: @lisa.af.music

i (17F) am looking to apply to berklee boston through voice, but as i’m submitting my app i’m super duper nervous about what my audition will look like. while i’ve had ~4 years of classical training at a performing arts high school, im auditioning with contemporary pieces, and though i’ve been practicing, the genre is still new to me.

for those who auditioned via voice, what did your audition process look like? berklee is one of my top schools and i’d love to hear!!

edit: it may be worth noting that a huge factor of my love for the school was attending BSP this past summer and receiving a scholarship. i got the chance to talk to a lot of current students and i felt so at home.

I’m an incoming freshman (guitar) at Berklee, and I got a few classes in my u official transcript after taking the espa a couple months ago. I was placed in music theory and application, but in the description of the course is things that I’ve been working on for a while and now how to do easily. Could I ask for a higher level course like harmony 2 during my placement audition this week, or is this set in stone?

Check us out:
https://vivacemusicschool.com/#/

I’m attending this fall and every time I see the school posted online, or mentioned it’s almost always paired with snide comments and remarks. It’s gotten to the point where I feel ashamed to even tell people I’m going here at this point.

I am a double bassist who has solely played classically, not much jazz or contemporary experience, but I am very interested in what Berklee offers and want to apply. I am worried about the improvisation section of the audition, though. What level of improvisation skills, if any, do I need for a successful audition? I see that they mention a simple I-IV-V blues progression but is there any more info that I should know about? Are they just getting a baseline for what’s skills I have or are they using it to make the admission decision?

Hello! I just got to micampus yesterday, and I was wondering if anyone was also here a couple days early. If anyone has any interest in playing something or just chatting, I play bass!

I am commuting in and need a parking space. Does anyone have an apt with a parking space but no car - willing to rent out parking space?

Yo, I am a music student right now and in my last year. I was wondering for getting a masters in songwriting and production, how did yall pay if you are low income? Did you do TA-ships or get aid. Is it possible to get full ride? I wanted to go to the New York Campus for connections and such. Is it worth it.

This is a luxury 1-bed apartment located 5 min away from the Prudential center. Whole foods, star market, CVS, Berklee, NEU, NEC, Newbury, etc all within 10 min of walk.

I am looking for a person to take over the Master rokm for a monthly rent of 2150 and you will need to pay a deposit of one month rent fee along with a move in fee of 500. (You do not need to pay the first/last month rent in advance)

There is swimming pool, gym, 24hr concierge, library, lounge, etc in the building for the residents. Laundry room and trash room located in every floor and is pet friendly!

Please dm me!!

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!