The Songwriting Workshop offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the art of songwriting at any level. Classes include Melody Writing, Lyric Writing, MIDI Demo Techniques, the Business of Songwriting, and the Singer/Songwriter Workshop.
- Melody Writing occurs twice on days offered. Past classes include Starting with a Groove and Melodic Progression.
- Lyric Writing occurs twice on days offered. Past classes include Writing Against a Chord Progression; Prosody: Setting Words to Music (and Vice Versa); and Brainstorming Techniques.
- MIDI Demo Techniques is taught twice daily to accommodate those interested in producing quality demos at home.
- Business of Songwriting is taught once per day for three days, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., in a large recital hall. Each class covers a different topic and does not conflict with any other class.
- Singer/Songwriter Workshop is offered daily to accommodate the large number of singer/songwriters who attend this workshop. This class gives you the chance to perform your songs and receive constructive feedback from your teacher and peers. You can either accompany yourself (so yes, do bring your guitar), have a friend accompany you, or use a prerecorded track in cassette or CD format.
The broad variety of songwriting topics offered in the classroom provides you with a chance to focus on your interests.
Who are the instructors?
Members of Berklee's talented and experienced Songwriting Department will teach the classes and workshops. Each day there will be clinics featuring Berklee Songwriting faculty or guest clinicians.
Past guest clinicians have included hit songwriters Hugh Prestwood and Phil Galdston, singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman, Marshall Crenshaw, and Warner Chappell senior vice president John Titta. In addition to day clinics, singer/songwriters Ellis Paul, Jennifer Kimball, Patty Larkin, Gary Nicholson, and Livingston Taylor have presented concerts in the evening exclusively for program participants.
What's the schedule?
At registration you will be provided with a list of the workshop's classes, times, and locations, so you may select and attend those classes that interest you so long as space allows. Most classrooms hold a maximum of 20 students.
Where will I eat and sleep?
When we have processed your application, you will be sent information and an application for residence hall housing. Most program participants elect to stay in the Berklee residence halls. However, acceptance to the program does not guarantee a residence hall space. Space is limited. To optimize your chances for on-campus housing, you must return the housing application immediately upon receiving it. To be eligible to live in the residence hall, you must be 15 years of age by the start of the program. If you are applying to the program after mid-June, call the Housing Office at 617 747-2292 to find out if residence hall space is still available.
