Members Dingoman Posted December 12, 2008 Members Posted December 12, 2008 My Berklee Audition was today. For the past two years ive spent loads of time on forums and talking to alumni, asking about their audition. Their experience, the interview, what they asked you, what to bring, ectect Well, i want to give back. If anyone has a questiion about their audition (or wants to know how mine went) message me, comment, or email me at spidermonkey9126@hotmail.com Best Of Luck Andy
Members Jamingguitarist Posted December 12, 2008 Members Posted December 12, 2008 How was the sight reading? And what were the interview questions like? My audition is Jan 17, and I still need to decide on a song
Members BipolarAxeMan Posted December 12, 2008 Members Posted December 12, 2008 Here's a tip: As long as your check cashes, you've passed your audition. Now, if you're actually looking for a scholarship, then good luck. But, everyone gets in to Berklee. Which is also why a ton of people drop out. That said, it's still a great school for those who stick it out. I went to The U for music business and if I had to do it over I woulda taken a closer look at Berklee. Good luck.
Members Dingoman Posted December 12, 2008 Author Members Posted December 12, 2008 How was the sight reading? And what were the interview questions like? My audition is Jan 17, and I still need to decide on a song There were 4 pieces, each 8 measures long and each ranging in difficulty. Due your best, and it helps if you can at least play the chords from the ones you couldnt read(better than nothing!). The interview questions were EXACTLY like the ones in the application. How long have you been playing? Do you play other instruments? why Berklee? What do you bring to Berklee? ectect
Members Jamingguitarist Posted December 12, 2008 Members Posted December 12, 2008 Here's a tip: As long as your check cashes, you've passed your audition. Now, if you're actually looking for a scholarship, then good luck. But, everyone gets in to Berklee. Which is also why a ton of people drop out. That said, it's still a great school for those who stick it out. I went to The U for music business and if I had to do it over I woulda taken a closer look at Berklee. Good luck. Yea thats what I've heard. Basicly you get out what you put in? I just want to there and play music all day, find other talent players and learn alot. I just really wanna learn as much as I can. It's like school that I would look forward too waking up everyday
Moderators daddymack Posted December 12, 2008 Moderators Posted December 12, 2008 Apparently there is no English writing portion of the entry exam... Congrats on passing. An old friend of mine, recently deceased, was a professor emeritus at Berklee...if you know what you want to get out of it, it is a great school.
Members Bensbeenjamin Posted December 16, 2008 Members Posted December 16, 2008 Since everyone isn't loaded to the brim with cash doesn't mean they can't go to Berkley, if your music is creative enough and well thought out and it's your dream to go to Berkley I would imagine the check shouldn't stop you from going. We live in freakin America the land of the FREE and our economic system is based on capitalism, that's why you see people coming over from other countries and the next thing you know they own the local 7-11 or a hotel. It's called work your ass off until you get what you want. End of story.
Members Dingoman Posted December 16, 2008 Author Members Posted December 16, 2008 Since everyone isn't loaded to the brim with cash doesn't mean they can't go to Berkley, if your music is creative enough and well thought out and it's your dream to go to Berkley I would imagine the check shouldn't stop you from going. We live in freakin America the land of the FREE and our economic system is based on capitalism, that's why you see people coming over from other countries and the next thing you know they own the local 7-11 or a hotel. It's called work your ass off until you get what you want. End of story. You sir are the smartest poster ive ever seen post in a forum, well said!
Members ferment Posted December 19, 2008 Members Posted December 19, 2008 If you're going to go to Berklee, which I've lived right near for years now, don't go just because you want to "jam". Don't be one of those kids that sits around outside the building talking about partying and trying to score drugs all day and basically getting on everyone in Boston's nerves. Berklee is a fine, fine school if you are dedicated to learning form, structure, and composing. One of the best. However, probably 80-90% of the freshmen there just go because they want to, like, play the blues, man, or something like Phish mixed with like, that band that plays the blues, man. They don't last. I've walked around the buildings just to check things out and get out of the cold on those nights where we had nowhere to go and nothing to do, and it seemed like there were quite a few talented, dedicated kids there practicing their hearts out, but there are far more that just sit around outside the building and literally do nothing. They are the ones who drop out. If you are REALLY interested in making music a career and have the talent to do so and want to go to school for it so that you can learn composition and technique, then I would recommend the New England Conservatory right down the street. They are tough and will probably break your spirits within the first few days, but they take things much more seriously over there. I don't know who you are or what you want to go to music school for, but that's just some advice for you. The same applies to art school. Remember how lucky you are to be getting higher education and never forget that you only have this one time to get it right and you should be fine.
Members KidAircrash Posted December 20, 2008 Members Posted December 20, 2008 How was the sight-singing? How many people did you have to play in front of? I want to audition in February for drums, but don't feel like I will be ready by then (since I'm a rock drummer who isn't very good at jazz or blues).
Members Dingoman Posted December 20, 2008 Author Members Posted December 20, 2008 How was the sight-singing? How many people did you have to play in front of?I want to audition in February for drums, but don't feel like I will be ready by then (since I'm a rock drummer who isn't very good at jazz or blues). I dont know if its the same for drums, but for me it was a sheet of 4 examples, 12 or 8 bar things, ranging from Super Easy to Difficult. My advice is do what you do best. Trust me, theyll be more impressed with a Rock Song youre Awesome At than a Jazz Or Blues song youre not very good at.
Members KidAircrash Posted December 20, 2008 Members Posted December 20, 2008 I dont know if its the same for drums, but for me it was a sheet of 4 examples, 12 or 8 bar things, ranging from Super Easy to Difficult.My advice is do what you do best. Trust me, theyll be more impressed with a Rock Song youre Awesome At than a Jazz Or Blues song youre not very good at. 4 examples for sight-singing? or sight-reading? I thought they just made you sing a scale or something
Members Dingoman Posted December 21, 2008 Author Members Posted December 21, 2008 4 examples for sight-singing? or sight-reading? I thought they just made you sing a scale or somethingi went in for guitar, so they didnt make me sing anything
Members KidAircrash Posted December 21, 2008 Members Posted December 21, 2008 i went in for guitar, so they didnt make me sing anything I thought everyone had to sing! Awesome
Members bluesway Posted January 13, 2009 Members Posted January 13, 2009 Berklee is definitely a rich-kid school, but it's a very good place to learn commercial music. in the industry, people commonly refer to it as "the factory," because it's been creating the same artists for years. There ARE better schools out there(your home state University of North Texas comes to mind), but none with the namesake that Berklee has. Just don't go expecting that school to be what it was in the 60s and 70s. it's simply NOT. anyway, best of luck on your auditions. It's an easy enough school to get into, so i'm sure you did fine.
Members bluesway Posted January 14, 2009 Members Posted January 14, 2009 ...if you know what you want to get out of it, it is a great school. and therein lies the problem....most kids out of HS don't know what they want to get out of it. I sure as {censored} didn't. ANY school is a good school if you know what you want going in...that's why people who decide to study a bit later in life wind up being better at what they do...be it law, engineering, etc. Sorry to sound like i'm dumping on that school; it's just waaay over-rated and i'm still immature enough to let it bother me.
Members Steve Nixon Posted February 2, 2009 Members Posted February 2, 2009 all snarkiness aside, (yes, i said "snarkiness") this touches a very important point....though i'm sure you weren't making it. I have friends who went to Berklee who are pretty much in the {censored}ter right now because they can't seem to get any position out in the "real" world because very few employers want to acknowledge that they even HAVE a college degree. That said, in the event that life actually happens, perhaps a great university with a great music program that shows you have a more rounded liberal arts education is a more intelligent choice. yes...i know berklee offers some liberal arts classes, but they are laughed at EVEN by all of the Berklee grads i know. and therein lies the problem....most kids out of HS don't know what they want to get out of it. I sure as {censored} didn't. ANY school is a good school if you know what you want going in...that's why people who decide to study a bit later in life wind up being better at what they do...be it law, engineering, etc. Sorry to sound like i'm dumping on that school; it's just waaay over-rated and i'm still immature enough to let it bother me. I personally had a fantastic experience there. Granted I went there when I was 21 and was able to focus quite a bit more at that time. Yes, there are people there who waste their time and money but in reality that's at every school. For the most part the school or eventually the music business weeds those people out anyway. The magic of Berklee is that if you are hard working and talented there are an incredible abundance of resources there. You literally can't exhaust what the school has. Just my 2 cents
Members bluesway Posted February 2, 2009 Members Posted February 2, 2009 I personally had a fantastic experience there. Granted I went there when I was 21 and was able to focus quite a bit more at that time. Yes, there are people there who waste their time and money but in reality that's at every school. For the most part the school or eventually the music business weeds those people out anyway. The magic of Berklee is that if you are hard working and talented there are an incredible abundance of resources there. You literally can't exhaust what the school has. Just my 2 cents i agree with that. i don't think anything you said conflicts with anything that i said, though.
Members mstreck Posted March 6, 2009 Members Posted March 6, 2009 I thought everyone had to sing! Awesome I have a friend that goes there (for bass). He has to sing his parts before he plays them.
Members Dingoman Posted March 6, 2009 Author Members Posted March 6, 2009 I just wanted to let everyone know that, yes, i was accepted into the Berklee College of Music! However, due to tough times and my switch to Film, i will be going to MSU instead. Il be one of the first students in the history of the school to Major in Film and Minor in Music Technology. Berklee is still a GREAT school, and if you want to pursue music(and youre willing to work HARD), then i highly reccomend it. If anyone still has questions about the audition process, the school, ect, feel free to drop a line! - Andy:)
Members Dingoman Posted March 6, 2009 Author Members Posted March 6, 2009 Oh, and im sure there will be plenty of flamers, teenagers and 40 year olds who never "made it" willing to say "omg u soooo ddnt git in lmao rotfl n00b". So, heres a copy of the audition email/letter/phone message they sent me at the end of January. Congratulations Andy! On behalf of the president and the board of trustees, I am delighted to announce your acceptance to Berklee College of Music as a candidate for the bachelor of music degree, September 2009, fall semester. A new door has opened, and a new chapter begins in the pursuit of your life's passion. Your acceptance to Berklee College of Music is a privilege reserved for those we determine have what it takes: to be, rather than to seem to be. Your experience at Berklee will be rich and filled with possibility. In preparation, I would like to share some traits that will be fundamental to your success in this challenging environment: A pioneering spirit and boundless thirst for knowledge; willingness to explore new musical horizons; openness to the creativity around you; passion and focus; respect for your peers; and a professional attitude toward your work. These are the qualities at the core of Berklee's success, the essence of who we are. They resonate with our community and are mirrored in our creative diversity. Only you can determine whether you are ready. Ready to contribute to the legacy and the legend. Ready to thrive. Ready to question. Ready to lead. Ready to fulfill the potential that is so evident to us. We have opened the door. Now it's up to you. Yours in music, Damien S. Bracken Director of Admissions, Scholarships, and Student Employment Congrats to anyone else who got this letter!
Members richardmac Posted March 6, 2009 Members Posted March 6, 2009 Oh, and im sure there will be plenty of flamers, teenagers and 40 year olds who never "made it" willing to say "omg u soooo ddnt git in lmao rotfl n00b". Wow - a preemptive insult. I'm a 43 year old who never "made it" but I personally had no intention of flaming you. But now I'm feeling bad because I never "made it." Berklee is a great school. So is Julliard. And Eastman, in Rochester. What does "made it" mean, by the way? Stable career, job you enjoy, financial security, happy home life? Or made it, like, made millions of dollars selling music and touring the world? I made it in the first sense, but not the second.
Members Dingoman Posted March 7, 2009 Author Members Posted March 7, 2009 Wow - a preemptive insult. I'm a 43 year old who never "made it" but I personally had no intention of flaming you. But now I'm feeling bad because I never "made it." im sorry about that! ive been on alot of forms about Berklee before and if you look at the flamers profiles, most of them are over 40 for some reason. But that was an unfair generalization and i apologize.
Members richardmac Posted March 7, 2009 Members Posted March 7, 2009 im sorry about that! ive been on alot of forms about Berklee before and if you look at the flamers profiles, most of them are over 40 for some reason. But that was an unfair generalization and i apologize. No worries.
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