My Berklee Friend!
So well, running here and there all my life, i’m still far and connected with people who love music - the victoria school band kids. Farid, if you’re reading this, this is darn freaked up weird lar! Rights, at least i am talking to people who do music professionally and who could help in any sense. So anyway, i’ve got myself into writing facebook emails to him and questioning him all the stuff that i needed to find out. For a good start, he’s my one and only REAL BOSTON BERKLEE friend and not a fake affliated “berklee” teacher whom i’ve encountered before.
So check this amazing stuff out:
Well, the audition is pretty straightforward, things to keep handy (just in case, since I auditioned on marimba) is to know all your scales at the least, and prepare contrasting pieces on piano (different genres) and if you have a backing track for a tune that would be good too (if you’re doing a standard jazz tune that is). Also for the interview itself, just be relaxed and honest about why you want to go to Berklee and what do you seek to accomplish there. Note that they are looking for potential as well (I know cos I used to help with the auditions here in Boston).
I was on 2 scholarships, the World Scholarship Tour one from Berklee and then eventually the BAS (Berklee Achievement Scholarship) and one from NAC back home, so I did not have to pay for my school fees, mainly lodging.Yes it is expensive, and the fees keep going up every year or so.
If you come to Berklee, my biggest advice is to come prepared, and know what you want. What I mean by being prepared is that you should work on your music theory from counterpoint to at least the basics of jazz harmony and your ears so that you can save quite a bit of time and money in classes, and you can finish school earlier. Judging from your profile you already have a degree, right? So some of the credits will transfer over, but if you took any music courses, those will not transfer at all.
It is pretty daunting coming in the first semester, as there are the extremes in standards which may or may not shock you (it did for me!) but have a goal in mind, or you might end up like many Berklee kids who come here and end p dropping out halfway or not achieving what they really wanted to get out of the whole Berklee experience. It’s not only about the academic work involved but getting involved with the right crowd and community. lol the reason why I know most of the school policies and the inside scoop of the auditions and stuff is cos I used to work for the admissions office and was in a couple of education committees in school.
Keep me posted if you have more questions!
Ramu
PS: If you’re in the US still, call me at *** or I can meet you back in Singapore if you’re around early August.
DARN! He didn’t pay for his school fees AT ALL. So much for a freak talented pal, i think i’ve gotta re-educate my mind and my fingers on those music theory and stuff. Well, for a good start, he’s been the freakiest drummer i’ve seen while in sec school, and honestly, this is just darn!
I recalled the last time i was nervous and stuff about an interview and a written test paper was when i gathered enough courage after the disappointing O level results, to decide on choosing Mass Comm at Ngee Ann over mediocre Business in which i’m definitely NOT cut up for. I spoke to Anne - the pretty girl on harvest highlights? I recalled, she was the ONLY ngee ann mass com girl i knew then and Kelvin Ang told me about it.
Now, i’m going through the same routine of finding myself, searching out the things i’m passionately craving for, digging deep within for a solid base foundation to see where my roots stood… now i have 1 friend in mind to help answer my many questions.
OH GOD, u know my inquiring heart… of many questions left unanswered.
OH GOD, u felt my deepest desires…. of many wondered moments left unspoken.
OH GOD, u see my crazy ideas…. of many music makers gathered together.
OH GOD, u sense my anxiety exploding…. of many excruciating expressions left unsettled.
OK. THIS is it. I’m exploding.
