How to Get into Berklee College of Music

[yungdrumma2011]

Very helpful. I'm tryin to get in. so thanks for postin this.

[joshkukl]

ayyee shawty badd as hell

[accartwright]

@joshkukl your not gettin in lol

[JayROfficial]

Can you perform a song instead of an instrument?

[00Blackmac]

I'd like to audition for spring of 2013. Could I ask what you played?

[TheKangstar]

Hi Tangelen, I had my Berklee audition 2weeks ago and I think I did pretty well in playing my solo, sight reading, not so hot in improv but not disaster either. I think I did pretty well in the interview as well, but as I watched your video I just remembered was I supposed to give a resume of my musical things that I did??

[TangeleneBolton]

@TheKangstar Hey, you didn't need to give a resume to anyone, I just suggested it cuz that's the way I did it. Best of luck to u.

[Orangemongoose1]

If you want to take the music production or audio engineer major do you have to audition? I've been playing bass seriously for 4 years and acoustic guitar and piano not as seriously as bass, but I'm pretty solid, and I can read sheet music. I just want to know if I need to prepare or not for an audition, sorry if it's a stupid question, their website is vague as hell. haha

[TangeleneBolton]

@Orangemongoose1 Hey, you Do need to audition on an instrument...and, once you get into the school you have to apply to the music production and engineering (MPE) major in your second semester...this entails: writing an essay, having an interview, and providing some samples of your work that can be related to the major. The grades that you get at berklee are also a HUGEEEE part that they consider so keep that in mind once you get there!!

[Orangemongoose1]

@TangeleneBolton Thank you so much! I've been looking everywhere and I haven't been able to find an answer to that question. I'm a Junior in High School right now and I spend most of my free time playing/listening to music and I know a ton of chords and scales and I've been learning music theory, so I really want to get into Berklee. You are so awesome for taking the time to help people like me out. :D

[TheBassplayah]

I am unable to get into Berklee, its too far and I dont have the money or credit....BUT....watching this video makes me realize how much more passionate I can be about my music here in my world, and how much I really want to improve....Ive been playing since 1971....Thanks so much for this video, and inspiring me to apply myself to new levels again

[TangeleneBolton]

@TheBassplayah thanks for the awesome response, I'm glad you still practice music and want to keep at it for yourself.  Everyone should be that way without going to a music school. That's inspiring to me as well :)

[Sarahelizabethmount]

I work auditions at Berklee. Bringing your resume is not recommended. That's what the interview is for.

[MrProductionMonster]

@Sarahelizabethmount OoooooooOOoo~ You work at auditions? Omg, you must be important. Guiding kids and shit to their rooms for their auditions. Hey listen, there's nothing stopping someone from bringing a resume to the interview process of the audition. For all we know, that is why YOU didn't get a scholarship.

[Sarahelizabethmount]

@MrProductionMonster yeah maybe. There is nothing stopping anyone from bringing their resume. Everyone should do it. Then maybe everyone will get scholarships!

[rockinroller25]

I applied to Berklee for the Fall 11' semester....I got rejected and I am just furious at them cause I did better than half the other kids at the audition and I still was rejected. I don't care I have a serious grudging hatred towards that fucking school. Fuck berklee and fuck its location the red socks suck anyway!

[MrProductionMonster]

@rockinroller25 do you play guitar?

[rockinroller25]

@MrProductionMonster yes I play guitar I've been playing for over 9 years

[MetalBassist73]

lol wiz? who says that anymore, cutie

[OCcoDrummer]

Your video is honestly so helpful....the only fear I have the issue of money. I know its an expensive school and I try to not let the cost bring my hopes down at all but what opportunities are there for raising money for your tuition, books, etc.

[FireStormVideos]

Thanks for the advice, this video really cleared a lot of things up for me.

Btw, your really attractive.

[andrewmusic95]

Im so excited to apply at Berklee. I will be able to attend with Georgia in state tuition :D

[TangeleneBolton]

sure if you want...i like the folders with the small holes inside so you can put the pages in a small book form..but, idk just make it look nice, you know?

[CarlosMora92]

When you say that we should bring a resume, you mean like a folder? to give it to them?

[00Blackmac]

Hi! Really helpful video. How much weight would you say is put on secondary school grades, as well as audition, interview, and essay?

[guitaristxxx]

@TangeleneBolton Any advice for an audition on guitar? I would def appreciate it.

[Fiskepudding127]

Thank you :D

[TheUltraman777]

thank you

[samfam222]

thank you soo much for this video:D im from London and ive seen the mucisians that go into that college and come out amazing, my whole dream is to get into there:D

[blueroan4]

You have to be passionate about music, and you have to be rich.

[fenderkw]

I want to cover your face in semen.

[Afayemi93]

You are beautiful!

[CarlosMora92]

did they give you an scholarship? :D

[15MusicLove]

Hey! Just thought I'd tell you that I auditioned for Berklee last month and got accepted! And that I watched this video a couple times it it kept me pretty cool and collected, so thanks for posting :D

[TangeleneBolton]

@15MusicLove Congrats!!!!!

[omarmadden10]

Hey my name is Omar, I know you didn't audition for Voice as your instrument but do you have any tips of what I should expect? I can sing, I think, I have the motivation, the ear, but i cant site read nor do I know what Improv is lol Please help me understand before my audition.

[Angelica61572]

hey ANYONE that is attending Berklee i know this could be a really stupid question and i apoligize. How will Berklee let me know if i've been ACCEPTED OR NOT????? i audtition in december i applyed for EARLY ACTION and i know its january 31st but will they send me a letter email etc.??? Thank YOU! =)

[TangeleneBolton]

@Angelica61572 letter and email. No worries!

[CruzControl26]

BTWs is that a lawn mower in the backgroud? surely great advice thought!

[TangeleneBolton]

@CruzControl26 it's a space heater

[MHidalgo8]

PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION! Do you have to attend community college FIRST to go to Berklee?? Is that true?

[TangeleneBolton]

@MHidalgo8 No, you do not have to attend community college first. You can apply in high school.

[adlmisty]

oh my , hello ! i watched your video and i repeated for a few times because YES NOW IM KIND OF FREAK OUT!By the way,Im from Malaysia and im 17.This year will be my last year of school and i really reaallyy eager want to apply to this school.Berklee college of music school is my dream school since i was 12years old.ireally need someone help for the steps that i have to take oh i already freak out. can i ask something about the requirements for grades in subjects, how many A B C's do they prefer?

[TangeleneBolton]

@adlmisty Hey...I don't think Berklee has a specific requirement for grades, I think I had a couple of C's in high school....But yeah, as long as you aren't failing in high school, I think you should be ok...BUT...that shouldn't give you an incentive to do bad! :P If you have any other questions send me a message. Hope this helps.

[adlmisty]

@TangeleneBolton Oh really? thankyou... yes i will send you message about this. cause , you know at school, i am the only musical students.so noone will understand me. that is one of the reasons i want to go berklee ..

[MrTikiShah]

what are your major? and about the sight reading, could you describe it in 1 sentence?

[TangeleneBolton]

@MrTikiShah

i'm a film scoring major...sight reading--I think about 2 songs (a few lines each), medium basic, anything from a basic to intermediate childrens sight reading book, you can find practice examples on Berklee's website.

[MrTikiShah]

@TangeleneBolton cool! thank you so much for responding, hopefully i will see you at berklee, i m gonna audition on feb 11, My Major: music production & engineer

[chunlispring1990]

@MrTikiShah Hey that's my birthday! I audtioned in December though....but good luck

[musica2195]

If you were classically trained, as I am, HOW MUCH DOES IT AFFECTS YOU IN THE STUDYING PROGRAM IN BERKLEE? I mean, I've seen that the main approach in Berklee is jazz. I currently play stuff like mozart, chopin etc.. but playing jazz is something totally different.

[TangeleneBolton]

@musica2195 It's completely fine if you are trained classically....you just have to learn jazz too when you go to Berklee. But, some private instruction teachers here have more of a classical approach, so if you still want that you can choose to take someone who fits your needs (you just have to look up professors online or ask around to see who you want). The transition to jazz isn't that bad though, you just have to get the shapes into your head and practice a lot! : )

[TheTruth285]

@musica2195 Well, if you get accepted good look. :) I'm currently taking classical lessons (again) at a college. haha. And coming from a self taught piano player learning jazz, the mathematics is pretty difficult. I wish I had the money or scholarship to go to Berklee though. Good luck!

[JFPhil]

Thank YOU! Berklee certainly is my dream school! Hope it's not to late to apply! Great advice, sweet. Thanks.

[Est1999Love]

I meant would it be a good idea to audition SINCE I'm 12 and when I go to collage and all.

[Est1999Love]

So would it be a good idea to audition when I'm 12 now and starting the piano soon(like a few weeks) and I pick up the basics of instruments easily? I play the violin, cello, and flute just to name some. There is more, so do you think that would matter? This is my DREAM school! I've wanted to go to this school since I was five. :D Any help?

[TheMAjorCReAtor23]

I wanna go soooooo bad ! just 3 more years of high school !!

[devinwmusic]

I put down that I was going to double major in music therapy and contemporary writing and production. I kind of want to change either of these to songwriting, but I'm not sure. On the website it says if you are entering songwriting you might want to play an original song that showcases your style. Can I sing and play one of my original songs on guitar?

[TangeleneBolton]

@devinwmusic You can do whatever you want. You don't need to know what your major is even and people change their majors 3 or 4 times throughout their time at berklee.

[Fluffhea8d]

damn she is fine

[Gusztiavo]

what do you think about the treat they give to the foreign students who want to apply? do they treat them just like everybody else? or is just harder for the foreign students to get into it than some american citizen? Thank's for the video! cheers.

[TangeleneBolton]

@Gusztiavo I really don't know...But we do have a LOT of international students here.

[AndrewRichards1993]

I would absolutely love to go to Berklee! Unfortunately I can't play anything like Donna Lee or Teen Town and my sight reading isn't great, I've still got about 18months but even then I don't think I would stand a chance!

It would be a dream to go though!

Can you recommend any good books which you have got from Berklee.. just music books in general or know of any bass guitarist who would recommend some good books? x

[TangeleneBolton]

@AndrewRichards1993 Anything through Berklee Press. They have tons..just browse yourself. They have instructional dvd's too.

[TangeleneBolton]

@TangeleneBolton u can order online

[YanmingYuMusic]

My audition is in 2days AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH SO NERVOUS lol

[TangeleneBolton]

@YanmingYuMusic best of luck

[RichardsMattSax]

@YanmingYuMusic How'd it go?

[YanmingYuMusic]

@RichardsMattSax oh god... I bombed the sight reading so bad D: I nailed my prepared piece and ear test! ehhhh on the improv

[TangeleneBolton]

@YanmingYuMusic Hell yeah, who cares if you bombed the sight reading! We all have our strengths and weaknesses and they understand that! But, you nailed the prepared piece which is awesome. Best of luck to you.

[valeriekim22]

i <3 how u r serious about this. im 11 and i wana goto this school and I'M AN AWESOME SINGER AND PIANIST!!!

[ZerFrozenJared]

@valeriekim22

Hey i'm 13 so i guess if we both make it in we could play together :0

[Isabell507]

hey! first of all thank you for the video it is really helpful. I'm from Germany and I want to apply. My question is if i want to apply for a voice program do i still have to be good at playing an instrument? I kind of play guitar but i'm not really good. can i audition for only singing?

[TangeleneBolton]

@Isabell507 Yes, you can just apply with voice, but they like to see that you can play another instrument too..I would be practicing both. Maybe sing a song and play some basic chords on the guitar with it. It does help a lot when they are evaluating you!

[Tyler8Oliver]

Is it possible to audition on two instruments? I want to play my prepared piece on marimba and do the rest of the audition on drum set.

[TangeleneBolton]

@Tyler8Oliver Hey, I don't believe so. I think you may be able to do stuff with both instruments once you get in on one or audition to change to another instrument to be your principal.

[savioassis5]

thx, it helped me a lot!

i'm from brazil, and i'm gonna try to join them when i turn 18, at the regional auditions...i hope i can get it done =)

[MMAFreak01]

what do you wear to the audition/interview?

[TangeleneBolton]

@MMAFreak01 Wear whatever you want!! : ) They don't care. If you are performing on voice you may want to be more picky though ( I don't know as much about that though).

[SuzanaLascu]

blues in any key? major blues or bebop blues?

improvising on your instrument or on piano exclusively?

[TangeleneBolton]

@SuzanaLascu It is just a standard 12 bar blues. I know the most about the piano audition but all the materials on all the instruments are on the berklee website. But, I do know that the piano audition asks you to improvise.

[chrishillification]

r u in berklee?

[TangeleneBolton]

@chrishillification yes i amm

[mmesutissimo]

thanks for this. its really nice and encouraging.

[15jbonds]

Your like super beautiful!

[JayyeMusic]

helpful .. i so wished you posted this before my audition aug 12 :( lol