During the first three days of the program, you’ll settle into your space, get to know campus, and explore the city with new friends. Welcome to Berklee Summer Programs.
Welcome Weekend
The first weekend begins with check-in and culminates with a special concert open to Aspire students and their family members and friends.
Saturday, July 10, 2021
Check-In
Every student is required to check in with the Summer Programs and Housing teams between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, before starting program activities.
Domestic Student Check-In
Locations are listed below.
Domestic students will complete check-in at the locations listed below:
Girls under 18: 160 Massachusetts Avenue
Boys under 18: 150 Massachusetts Avenue
Gender-diverse students under 18: 150 or 160 Massachusetts Avenue
Students 18 and older: 7 Haviland Street
International Student Check-In
7 Haviland Street
All international students must report to 7 Haviland Street before moving into their residence hall. International students are required to bring their passport, F-1 student visa, I-20, and financial documentation, including proof of program payment and scholarship awards (if applicable). Only after checking in with a designated school official will international students be allowed to move in to their residence hall, receive their student ID, and attend orientation events.
Commuter Student Check-In
7 Haviland Street
Though commuter students will not be living in the residence halls, they must check in with the Summer Programs team.
Housing Check-In
Locations are listed below.
Checked-in students living on campus should report to the residence hall that corresponds to their age and gender identity, which is an option in the housing application.
Girls under 18: 160 Massachusetts Avenue
Boys under 18: 150 Massachusetts Avenue
Gender-diverse students under 18: 150 or 160 Massachusetts Avenue
Students 18 and older: 270 Commonwealth Avenue and 98 Hemenway Street
Late Arrivals
If you are suddenly unable to arrive by 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, report to your residence hall for the evening, then check in at 160 Massachusetts Avenue on Sunday, July 11, at 9:00 a.m. If you arrive after 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 11, you must report to the Office of Summer Programs at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 12, to check in and begin the program. The office is located at 155 Massachusetts Avenue on the fourth floor.
Get Your Berklee ID
After checking in at your designated location, you’ll receive an ID ticket. Bring this ticket with you to pick up your student ID at 939 Boylston Street.
6:00 p.m. | Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue
All students who will be living in Berklee’s residence halls must attend the housing meeting. If you have any questions or need further information, please get in touch with the Housing Office at housing@berklee.edu or +1 617-747-2292.
Jam Session
8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. | Choose your genre for the night and find the location for your jam session below.
Jazz
1140 Boylston Street, Berk Recital Hall (1A)
Pop/Rock
939 Boylston Street, Red Room at Cafe 939
Funk/Fusion
1140 Boylston Street, Colvin Hall (1W)
Performing Songwriters
921 Boylston Street, David Friend Recital Hall
Sunday, July 11, 2021
Opportunities to Audition for Special Ensembles
Times vary. | View the time and location for the auditions below:
Guitar, piano, mandolin, and banjo: 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Bass and drums: 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Strings and vocals: 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Musical Theater Showcase Orchestra: Hamilton
136 Massachusetts Avenue, room B16
Piano and guitar: 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Bass and drums: 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Strings: 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Audition Requirements by Instrument
Strings
• 16-32 measures of an etude or excerpt that demonstrates technique and range
• Sight-reading
Guitar, Keyboard, and Electric Bass
• 16-32 measures of an etude or excerpt that demonstrates technique
• Sight-reading: melodic lines, rhythms, and accompaniment in different styles (hip-hop, R&B, pop/rock)
Drum Set
• 16-32 measures of an etude or excerpt that demonstrates technique
• Be prepared to demonstrate the following styles on drum set: hip-hop, R&B, and pop/rock.
• Sight-reading: drum notation
Salsa Ensemble
150 Massachusetts Avenue, room B08
Piano and guitar: 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Bass, drums, and percussion: 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Winds, strings, and vocals: 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Welcome Concert
7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue
After you finish settling in, kick off the summer with your fellow peers at an exclusive live concert for Aspire students featuring singer, actor, and dancer Nia Ashleigh.
Your First Day
On the first day of the program, you will get to know your instrumental department, meet some of your teachers, and cover the basics of the topics you will explore throughout summer.
Monday, July 12, 2021
Theory in Performance and Musicianship Class
9:00 a.m. | Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue
Instrumental Department Orientation
Times vary. | View the time and location for your instrument department below.
Bass
11:30 a.m. | Red Room at Cafe 939, 939 Boylston Street
Brass
11:30 a.m. | 1140 Boylston Street, room 3B
Electronic Digital Instrument (EDI)
11:00 a.m. | 150 Massachusetts Avenue, room B53
Guitar
11:15 a.m. | Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue
Percussion
Berk Recital Hall, 1140 Boylston Street
Students with last names beginning with A–L: 11:30 a.m.
Students with last names beginning with M–Z: 1:00 p.m.
Piano
David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston Street
Students with last names beginning with A–L: 11:30 a.m.
Students with last names beginning with M–Z: 1:00 p.m.
Strings
11:30 a.m. | 1140 Boylston Street, room 2E
Voice
12:15 p.m. | Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue
Woodwinds
11:30 a.m. | Oliver Colvin Recital Hall, 1140 Boylston Street
Performance Perspectives Class
3:00 p.m. | Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue
Opportunities to Audition for Special Ensembles
Times vary. | View the time and location for the auditions below:
Musical Theater Showcase Cast: Hamilton
6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. | 939 Boylston Street (enter through 921 Boylston Street), the Loft
Prepare 24-32 measures of a Broadway tune to be sung a cappella.
When selecting an audition excerpt, please choose something similar to the style of singing heard in Hamilton.
You may audition with a selection from Hamilton as long as it is not "Burn."
Although there is rap in this arrangement, please ensure that you demonstrate the breadth of your singing abilities if you choose a piece that includes rapping.
Evening Time/Dinner
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. | Location varies.
Enjoy time to relax and eat before joining us for the evening's show.
Performing Songwriter Open Mic
7:00 p.m. | Red Room at Cafe 393, 939 Boylston Street
What Comes Next
Though you will have a daily schedule to follow throughout the program, no two weeks will be the same. Your coursework is balanced with a variety of performance opportunities, community events, and workshops. Over the five weeks, your time will be filled with activities designed to spark your curiosity, imagination, and inspiration.
