Applications Open for 2024 Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics
Image by David Morresi
Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics is now accepting applications for this year’s program, to be held from July 9 to July 21, at the Monastero S. Anna in Perugia, Italy. This year's program will mark the 39th year of the Berklee and Umbria Jazz Festival collaboration.
With 12 days of intensive classes and performances, this program provides aspiring musicians with hands-on educational experiences that foster musical growth and development. Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics is open to all aspiring high school and college-level musicians, and participants must be at least 15 years of age by the start of the program with a minimum of six months experience in their primary instrument or voice.
Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics, combined with the 10-day Umbria Jazz Festival, offers a unique opportunity to learn by day and to listen to music by night. Additionally, all students will receive free passes to the main stage at the Umbria Jazz Festival concerts, which are ongoing throughout the program.
“This experience is a great opportunity for students interested in jazz and other contemporary improvisational styles of music to learn more about improvisation, performance, and many more aspects of performing within a unique learning environment,” says Dave Limina, chair of Berklee’s Piano Department and academic director of the Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics. “Students can expect to collaborate with other aspiring musicians and create lifelong musical friendships.”
The program will take place daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will conclude with final concert activities, which are open to the public, beginning Friday, July 19 and running through Sunday, July 21, on the Berklee and Umbria Jazz Festival stage. There will also be daily after-hour jam sessions open to all students on the Berklee stage.
Over its 38-year history, the program has welcomed more than 6,000 students, providing a comprehensive learning environment with group lessons, vocal programs, ensembles, and classes in theory and improvisation. A team of Berklee faculty will be providing instruction this summer including Yoron Israel, chair of the Percussion Department; Nichelle Mungo, associate professor of voice; Fernando Huergo, professor of bass; Zahili Gonzalez Gamora, assistant professor of piano; and Jim Kelly, professor of guitar—to name a few. Master classes on performing, improvisation, and composition will also be offered by special guest artists from the Umbria Jazz Festival.
In addition, students will have the opportunity to audition for admission and scholarships to attend the college in Boston. Berklee’s admissions team will hold auditions for 50 selected students who may receive scholarships to the college’s full-time undergraduate program in Boston, full-tuition scholarships to attend Berklee’s Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive, and two full-tuition scholarships to Berklee Online classes. Selected students will be notified via email of their 15-minute live audition and 15-minute interview appointment one week prior to the start of the program. Berklee faculty will observe students during the first week of the program and nominate 10 additional students who they feel should be scheduled for an audition.
In 2023, $3,382,000 was awarded in scholarships, with eight full-tuition scholarships to the full-time undergraduate program, 17 partial-tuition scholarships to the undergraduate program, and seven awards to the summer program.
Tuition is $640.00 US dollars for the 2024 program. Interested students are advised to apply as soon as possible to be considered for the program.
