Students majoring in contemporary writing and production study arranging, composition, scoring for media, orchestration, production techniques, and advanced notation practices, and learn to apply these skills and concepts by writing for and overseeing the production of a wide variety of instrumental, vocal, acoustic, and electronic combinations, ranging from small ensembles to orchestras in live performance situations and recording studio environments.
Students learn contemporary concepts and techniques of arranging and sound production using digital audio workstations (DAWs), digital production suites, and their own portable laptop-based studio. Interpersonal and other situational skills develop as students work with performers, clients (i.e., instructors and other students), and studio personnel in a variety of creative settings as a music writer, conductor, and/or producer.
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These courses are intended as guidelines. Speak to your guidance counsellor to see what courses are offered at your school.
Students who have declared contemporary writing and production as their major and received a grade of B or better in each of the following classes may continue in the major: MTEC-111: Introduction to Music Technology, AR-111: Arranging 1, HR-112: Harmony 2. Note: for the purposes of the contemporary writing and production major declaration, entering student placement into AR-112: Arranging 2 (or higher) or HR-211: Harmony 3 (or higher) is equivalent to receiving a grade of B or better in AR-111 or HR-112, respectively.
Students who receive a grade of less than B but more than D (e.g., B-, C+, C, or C-) in these classes will be removed from the major and deregistered from contemporary writing and production concentration-specific classes. They must then meet the following requirements to redeclare the major: For MTEC-111: Students must take another technology class (such as MTEC-112, MP-110, EP-210, EP-225, or EP-250), and get a grade of B or better. Students who do not receive a grade of B or better need to see the department chair. For AR-111 and HR-112: Students must receive a grade of B or better in their next arranging course, AR-112: Arranging 2. Students who do not receive a grade of B or better in AR-112 need to see the department chair. While these courses are not repeatable for credit, students who receive a D in any of these classes (MTEC-111, AR-111, and HR-112) must repeat that class and receive a B or better before redeclaring the major. The higher grade will count towards the student’s GPA. |
| 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.
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| 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.
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* 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.