“What do I do?”

“Where do I begin?”

“Where can I study music?”

“What the heck can I do with a career in music?”

Well, if you’re on this page, you are already 3/4 of the way there.

Berklee College of Music is the place to study contemporary music styles in the world… no, I take that back… the Universe. So, what’s the process? A lot of prospective students freak out to find that there is a live audition process to be accepted into the college. I am here to tell you the best way to approach that audition, and to cut down on that looming dark cloud of stress.

1) Be Yourself! You are who you are. Everyone that is applying and auditioning comes from different walks of life and different skill levels. The coolest thing about Berklee is how diverse it is. You are there for you, not Bob or Susan in the next room over.

2) That being said, remember what the website says, “Put your best foot forward”. That means do what you do best. If you are an amazing shred guitarist, or classical pianist, don’t walk in to your audition thinking you have to prepare a Jazz piece. Berklee has become more and more all styles than ever in the past few years; all genres are welcome! Concentrate on your strengths and really let that shine in your prepared piece.

3) Make sure you read the Audition Guidelines on Berklee’s site. That will show you exactly what you will be asked to do in your 15 minute audition. That’s right, 15 minutes! It goes by in a flash. I am sure you’ll find that there are some things you are unsure about (concerning your skills). If we were all musical geniuses we wouldn’t need to be auditioning for Berklee. The faculty members that will be proctoring your audition understand that everyone has strengths and weaknesses and they want to see how well rounded you are as a musician. For instance, some people are great sight-readers, but struggle with improvisation, and vice versa. Once again, see # 2.

4) Lastly, go in calm. Remember you are there because you love music! Don’t let one audition get in the way of that. A lot of people are crushed if they don’t get in to Berklee. It’s not the end of the world; you can always re-audition the following year. If you do end up re-auditioning think about how much further ahead in the game you would be than the first timers shaking in their boots.

All-in-all, I found my Berklee Audition to be a thrilling experience. It was a blast! Plus the faculty are great at making you feel at ease and you get to jam with them. Go in there with your head held high and do your thing with confidence and a smile on your face.

Berkleemusic’s online spring term begins April 5, 2010.
Find out more at berkleemusic.com or contact a Student Advisor:
1-866-BERKLEE (USA) | +1 617 747 2146 (Intl) | advisors@berkleemusic.com

It may sound obvious, but if you want the gig, dress for the part, know your lyrics, and know your tunes perfectly. Rehearse your songs and, if you can’t accompany yourself, hire an accompanist. Test your charts, make sure they are in the right key, and, most importantly, sing the “meat” of the song. Don’t start your tune with a 16 bar piano intro—the “judges” care about you, not the pianist. If you don’t have perfect pitch, have a pick up but keep it short.

Find out as much as possible about the audition: What? Who? When? Where? Do I bring an accompanist? Will there be an accompanist? Will there be a CD Player or an iPod input? If you want to bring a backing track, make sure that it starts and ends where you need it to. Garage Band is perfect if you want to edit your tracks.

Try to record your rehearsals and videotape yourself—you will see and hear exactly what you need to work on. Remember: auditions are short and you need to go straight to the point. You have to perform your song and sell it—but don’t over do it. Videotaping yourself or working in front of a mirror will do the trick. When you audition for live shows, think of your stage as a triptych—left, center and right— and address all three areas when you perform. It’s very important to show the “judges” that you own the stage.

If you are well prepared, you will feel less nervous. If you still experience high levels of stress, picture yourself in a safe and stress free environment, such as your rehearsal space, your bedroom, the beach—wherever you associate with calm and serenity. Focus on your interpretation, your tune, the words that you are singing, and your emotion—and just act the part! Sometimes stress overpowers your performance and your technique is all that you have left, so remember to add emotion to your song. Picture yourself in a positive environment and you will be able to focus on your interpretation.

You have to act confident. If you mess up your lyrics, improvise and keep on smiling! There is a good chance nobody will notice. At the end of your tune, even if you think that you completely messed up, don’t look upset. Smile and leave unless you are asked a question or being given helpful advice. Keep in mind that there are no excuses. If you are late don’t start babbling about traffic or your hair, try to be as professional as possible. Keep your act together, stay positive and most importantly—have fun!

Find out more at berkleemusic.com or contact a Student Advisor:
1-866-BERKLEE (USA) | +1 617 747 2146 (Intl) | advisors@berkleemusic.com