Hard work but worth it
Written: Oct 10 '00 (Updated Oct 12 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great alumni network, great teachers, not too hard to get in
Cons: hard to STAY IN, lots of hard work, keep your ego in check
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| sp1el's Full Review: Berklee College of Music |
My son graduated from Berklee this spring with a major in Music Production and Engineering (MP&E in Berklee-speak) and is now working at a major recording studio in Hollywood -- not making any money to speak of but definitely in a great place to start his career. He's hanging out and rubbing shoulders with people like Don Was, Bette Midler and other big-time artists, engineers and producers.
They call Berklee the farm-system for the music industry. It's all about networking. Berklee grads are all over the world in all aspects of the industry and they seem to take care of each other. My son got his job because a Berklee alum worked at the studio and called a friend about the job opening. That friend wasn't interested but he recommended my son, etc. One of his professors was also a good friend of the studio's president and gave him a recommendation. It's all about contacts...
Berklee is fairly easy to get into, compared to other music schools.... no audition required, just a recommendation from a music teacher. Don't let that fool you, though. They also have a very high attrition rate. A lot of people come to Berklee with minimal formal training.... people who think they're hot shot players. They get humbled very quickly. You basically audition AFTER you get there and you're placed in classes based on the results of that audition. My impression is that a lot of people are surprised when they find out that they have to start at the bottom, learning harmony, music notation, how to keep simple time, solfege (that's singing... yes, for everyone). One thing this accomplishes is that it insures that all Berklee grads speak the same musical language. Everyone from Berklee knows exactly what everyone else knows... that's why they know they can depend on each other out in the real world.
On the other hand, if you DO have some formal training, you can test out of introductory classes. My son started taking piano at age 5 and was lucky enough to go to a high school which offered harmony and music theory. He was placed in advanced classes. When you pass the advanced classes you get credit for both the intro AND the advanced class, i.e., 6 credits instead of 3. Those credits and some AP credits allowed him to graduate in 3 years.
Bottom line.... Berklee is a unique and incredible place ....if you're willing to start with the basics and spend a lot of late nights in the studios and practice rooms.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
sp1el
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Location: Glenside, PA
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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