As a guitar player majoring in performance, you will learn the skills, concepts, and methodology required to demonstrate professional-level proficiency on your principal instrument. You'll achieve this through private lessons, which include proficiency-based final exams, guitar labs, and performance studies classes. The Guitar Department provides individualized instruction in both electric and acoustic guitar and the curriculum emphasizes the flexible and expressive properties of the guitar.
You will complete a performance portfolio, including a juried senior recital (supported by recital preparation lessons and classes) that meets current professional performance standards. Most students also engage in extracurricular and cocurricular concert performances, and each performance major participates in ensembles and public performances in the college’s recital halls and venues such as the Berklee Performance Center.
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These courses are intended as guidelines. Speak to your guidance counsellor to see what courses are offered at your school.
As a second or third semester student declaring performance as your major, you will be asked to participate in a short audition/interview with the guitar faculty. Details include: Audition: you will be asked to perform five minutes of prepared music; Format: you may choose to perform solo guitar, playing with a pre-recorded play-along track, or in a duo or trio (bass and drums)—you will provide the accompanying musicians; Style: the music you choose can be reflective of your own tastes with the objective of presenting your instrumental skills in the most positive light; and Evaluation: You will be evaluated on your potential to be an effective participant in the Performance Major, and criteria will include time, intonation, tone, touch, execution, and overall musicality. During this audition process you may be asked to perform some scales, chords, and so on, commensurate with your level of study. Further information regarding this audition/interview process should be directed to your private lesson instructor, Larry Baione, Kim Perlak, or Rob Ruffin in room 400, 921 Boylston Street. |
| Test Scores: | - Test of English as a Foreign Language (Internet Based) [min. 72] or International English Language Testing System (academic or immigration) [min. 6.0]
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| Application Notes : | If you are applying to the degree program and your first language is not English, you are required to submit a PTE Academic, a TOEFL, or an IELTS score to complete your application for admission. We recommend a PTE Academic score of 48, a TOEFL IBT score of 72 or higher, or a IELTS score of 6 or higher. |
| Additional Admission Requirements: | Berklee’s unique audition and interview process allows us to learn about you as a whole artist while assessing your current level of musicianship and potential to succeed in our dynamic community. It also allows us to consider you for merit-based scholarship awards. The audition and interview, combined with your transcripts and supporting application materials, gives us a picture of who you are and where you have potential to grow. |
* We make every attempt to provide accurate information on prerequisites, programs, and tuition. However, this information is subject to change without notice and we highly recommend that you contact the school to confirm important information before applying.