Students come to Berklee because they are passionate about music and creativity—and because they seek expert guidance to help them realize their dreams of becoming artists and innovators of tomorrow. Students admitted in the First-Year Abroad program will begin their journey on Berklee’s state-of-the-art campus in the vibrant, culturally rich Mediterranean city of Valencia, Spain.
In Valencia, students will have the opportunity to begin their Berklee experience in a more intimate setting, one that places a strong emphasis on the global music industry and international career paths. Students will complete the same core curriculum taken by entering students on the Boston campus, while also enjoying an immersive cultural experience in one of the most important musical regions of Spain.
During the end of their first semester, students will work with an advisor to declare a major. Upon completion of their first-year studies in Valencia, students will transfer to the Boston campus to continue in their declared major for their degree or diploma and enjoy access to all available academic opportunities, such as minor programs of study or double majors.
Program Highlights
Mediterranean Culture and Music
Music is essential to the history and people of Valencia, where students are exposed to a wide spectrum of cultures and audiences, and to a vibrant gigging community. Students are in a prime location to visit other parts of Europe; as part of the program, they will have the option to travel to Granada in southern Spain.
Strong Educational Foundation
Whether they choose the Valencia or Boston campus for their first year, all entering students take the same core curriculum to build a strong musical foundation at Berklee. Courses are composed of arranging, ear training, harmony, tonal harmony and counterpoint, and music technology.
Intimate Campus Setting
The Valencia campus has an approximate student body of 260 and the entire campus is self-contained in one building, with shared performance spaces in the City of Arts and Sciences complex. This provides an intimate setting for first-year students to get to know their classmates, faculty, and staff in meaningful ways.
Program Details
What Will I Learn?
In addition to the first-year learning mastered by all Berklee students, students who complete the First Year Abroad program will:
- articulate their identity in a global context;
- evaluate the connections between their own personal decision-making and various local and global issues;
- evaluate and apply diverse perspectives to complex subjects in the face of multiple and even conflicting positions (i.e., cultural, disciplinary, and ethical);
- apply a deep understanding of multiple worldviews and experiences;
- explain and connect two or more cultures historically or in contemporary contexts;
- apply musical, cultural, and historical knowledge from Spain; and
- address complex global problems using interdisciplinary perspectives independently or with others.
Entrance Requirements
The process to apply to Berklee’s undergraduate program is the same, regardless if you want to do your first year in Boston or Valencia.
All applicants to the undergraduate program go through the standard application process. To be considered for the First Year Abroad program, simply indicate “yes” to the relevant question within the application, along with an additional personal statement about your interest in the program.
Your interest in the program will not impact whether or not you are admitted to Berklee. Please note that you must be over 18 years of age when the program begins. The First Year Abroad program is open to applicants in the Bachelor of Music program only. Candidates applying for the Bachelor of Arts program or whose principal instrument is EDI are not eligible for FYA. If you are accepted to the college, we will inform you in your admissions decision as to whether or not you are able to participate in the First Year Abroad program.
Curriculum and Courses
The Valencia campus experience offers students access to state-of-the-art recording, technology labs, and classrooms in an intimate academic setting. All students in their first year at Berklee complete a core curriculum in the fall and spring semesters. The below classes are typical for most degree students.
Students may receive advanced placement through a variety of methods including U.S. Advanced Placement exams, Berklee entering student proficiency assessments, and/or transfer credit. For those students, an appropriate schedule will be built from core music theory, performance, liberal arts, and major courses to advance students on their educational path. Students interested in pursuing a diploma should contact admissions@berklee.edu to learn more. Links to all of Berklee’s courses and more information about the curriculum can be found here.
First Semester Courses
PI-XXX Private Instruction
- PI-XXX
- 2 credits
Private instruction courses are assigned based on instrument and level.
EN-XXX Ensemble
- EN-XXX
- 1 credit
Ensembles are assigned based on instrument and style interest.
PW-111 Music Application and Theory
- PW-111
- 4 credits
This course is a study of popular music. This study begins with the aural analysis of contemporary songs, including bass motion, chord function, and aspects of the rhythm section. It leads to understanding the bass line, harmony, and rhythmic structure of these songs and creation of original pieces in major key and Aeolian mode (natural minor). Keyboard exercises, written homework assignments, and laptop computer drills provide extensive practice in musical and notational elements. Students learn to read and write major and natural minor scales in all keys and learn triads and seventh chords diatonic to those scales. The course provides exposure to chromatic variations on major key harmony: the principles of secondary dominants and modal interchange are studied in limited situations to add color and variety to diatonic harmony. These activities will decode the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic language of most of contemporary popular music and set the stage for a detailed study of more complex and chromatic music in Harmony 2, 3, and 4.
ET-111 Ear Training 1
- ET-111
- 2 credits
Students develop basic ear training skills through performance and dictation. They study melodies, intervals, harmony, and solfege in major keys, as well as basic rhythms in the most common meters.
MTEC-111 Introduction to Music Technology
- MTEC-111
- 2 credits
This course introduces the fundamentals of music technology geared to the needs of today's professional musician. One of the most significant challenges facing musicians today is mastering the skills required to continually adapt to a changing technology base. Musicians today must understand and be prepared for the fact that this technology base is moving more rapidly than it can be assimilated. The course topics will give an overview of all aspects of the current technology with the primary goal of enabling students to make intelligent decisions in evaluating future technological needs.
LENG-111 Intro to College Writing
- LENG-111
- 3 credits
In this course, students explore the writing process as a tool of thinking and a mode of exploration. Students develop academic writing and expository prose techniques for creating clear and coherent papers. The course covers a wide range of skills necessary for college-level work including sentence-level issues, theses, paragraph structure, organization, form, and style. A focus will be placed on writing styles appropriate to audience and purpose. In addition, the process of writing and revision will be emphasized during the course. Students develop critical thinking skills and learn to evaluate, utilize, and cite primary and secondary printed and electronic sources. Students begin to cultivate a strong, individual, and creative voice by developing oral communication skills for a variety of settings.
LENS-109 Engaging with Valencia Culture and History
- LENS-109
- 2 credits
This seminar’s unique focus is on the city of Valencia and on the experience of studying abroad. Students explore Valencia including their immediate surroundings, and learn how historical and contemporary issues inform the city and its citizens. In addition, students learn about Berklee and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Students engage in activities with the goal of reflecting on the study abroad experience in order to increase their intercultural and interpersonal skills and foster personal growth. This course creates a safe, reflective space for discourse and debate. It gives students tools to put their own and their classmates’ beliefs and values in context, and explore their own biases. Students draw upon their skills and concerns as artists to reach for an informed, nuanced, and open-minded grasp of connections among a city, its people, history, and culture.
Language Course in Spanish (Optional)
- LSPN-161 - Introductory Spanish 1 (3 credits)
- LSPN-262 - Introductory Spanish 2 (3 credits)
- LSPN-363 - Intermediate Spanish 1 (3 credits)
- LSPN-464 - Intermediate Spanish 2 (3 credits)
Second Semester Courses
PI-XXX Private Instruction
- PI-XXX
- 2 credits
Private instruction courses are assigned based on instrument and level.
EN-XX Ensemble
- EN-XX
- 1 credit
Ensembles are assigned based on instrument and style interest.
AR-111 AR-111 Arranging 1 for Entering Students
HR-112 Harmony 2
- HR-112
- 2 credit(s)
This course is a continued exploration of major key harmony, particularly secondary and extended dominant relationships. Additionally, students continue to study melodic construction and motif development. Students learn principles of linear harmonic continuity and guide tone lines; minor key harmony; subdominant minor; blues theory and chord progressions. Students also learn melodic rhythm, form, and melody/harmony relationship.
ET-112 ET-112 Ear Training 2
- ET-112
- 2 credit(s)
Students further develop basic ear training skills through performance and dictation and study melodies, intervals, harmony, and solfege in minor keys, as well as more advanced rhythms, meters, conducting patterns, and notation.
CM-211 Tonal Harmony and Composition 1
- CM-211
- 2 credit(s)
This course provides students with a fundamental understanding of harmonic analysis, melody writing and harmonization within a functional tonal context originating from the common practice period, with emphasis on voice leading, melodic writing, and figured bass. The student will understand the musical grammar of tonal composition, and through weekly composition assignments will gain an enhanced understanding of its relation and application to present day styles.
LENG-223 Literature
- LENG-223
- 3 credits
Students Choose One Literature Course Literature: Lorca and Hemingway Federico García Lorca and Ernest Hemingway are two of the most internationally recognized literary and cultural figures of the 20th century. That is, not only are they viewed with great interest and even division and controversy in their birth countries of Spain and the United States respectively, but they continue to cast a long shadow across the globe and especially over the Atlantic. Furthermore, not only did each of these two compelling figures leave a deep footprint in the other´s country, but they were also influenced and greatly inspired by the socio-cultural patrimony of the other´s homeland. By studying and analyzing Lorca in America and Hemingway in Spain students will explore an inter-cultural journey that reaches the core of how many Spaniards view America and how many Americans view Spain to this day. Literature: Music and Words In this course, students explore different themes and genres within the field of literature, examining critical and creative thinking through literary analysis. Students apply the skills of synthesis, interpretation, and evaluation in writing and speaking about fiction, drama, poetry, creative nonfiction, and literary criticism. Students also explore concepts related to aesthetics such as beauty, rhythm, and sound; and concepts of literary analysis such as plot, point of view, character, tone, and style. Students complete analytical and creative writing assignments. Literature: Imaginary Lands Understanding the human nature, its limitations and commonalities, has always been easier to do when actions and adventures take place in fictional or fantasy lands. In this course, students will investigate how the human nature is represented through magic, folklore, utopias and dystopias; through imaginary lands and their conflicts: Middle Earth, Hogwarts, Arrakis, Tralfamadore, Oz, Neverland, Wonderland or a galaxy far, far away. Audiovisual media, books and films will be used as source material. Students will be required to perform in-depth analytical essays and participate in creative writing projects.
Optional Courses
Students have the option to explore one two-credit course from the list below during the spring semester.
MB-211 Legal Aspects of the Music Industry
- MB-211
- 2 credit(s)
- Prerequisites: None
An overview of business and legal issues of special concern to musicians and songwriters, with special emphasis on copyright law, recording and music publishing agreements, and relationships between artists and other parties, including managers, producers, and investors.
MB-287 Business Communication
- MB-287
- 2 credit(s)
- Prerequisites: None
An in-depth study of the nature of human and electronic communication. Students write and edit a variety of business documents including cover letters, memos, reports, and proposals, among others, as well as practice extemporaneous speaking, presenting to a group, planning and running meetings, and supervising teams.
MTI-304 Live Sound and Stage Craft
- MTI-304
- 2 credit(s)
- Prerequisites: MTEC-111
Live Sound and Stage Craft teaches students the ins and outs of setting up and operating sound reinforcement systems. Students develop knowledge of signal flow, mixing board operation, microphone choice and placement as well as strategies to avoid feedback. Weekly hands-on guided set up and operation of sound reinforcement systems help illustrate concepts and allow students to learn through the power of experience. This includes mixing from the stage while performing, mixing for other musicians for and from the FOH (front of house) position, as well as monitors. In addition, students acquire effective set up and stage management skills as well as the common communication protocol with other musicians and technicians in live sound reinforcement situations. Finally, implementation of adapted practices and systems for problematic spaces or venues is also explored. Students will also gain experience with basic lighting and video stagecraft systems.
MTI-307 Electronic Dance Music Creation With Ableton Live
- MTI-307
- 2 credit(s)
- Prerequisites: MTEC-111
This course explores topics in electronic production and live performance techniques related to modern electronic dance music production, sound design, arrangement, and performance. Students will generate content and create their own music while learning how to use Ableton Live Suite. Students will learn to analyze electronic music, and explore techniques for remixing, performing, and creating electronic music.
MTI-308 Virtual Production Techniques
- MTI-308
- 2 credit(s)
- Prerequisites: ET-112 and HR-112
This is an 'in-the-box' project-based virtual production course. Students learn to produce short sound-alikes of fragments of contemporary hit records employing sequencing and virtual instruments. They also learn to produce a full acoustic band cover using virtual instruments and one live instrument and/or vocalist. Additionally they learn to produce short musical creations by chopping and editing audio, incorporating tempo mapping, elastic audio, Melodyne, looping, beat detective, and other manipulation tools. Students also learn the skills needed to edit and arrange music to picture.
Study abroad students outside of Berklee enrolling in this course must have requisite musical background.
MTI-309 Music Video Production and Dissemination
- MTI-309
- 2 credit(s)
- Prerequisites: MTEC-111
This course provides an introduction to the art and technology of creating music videos. Students learn the challenges and possibilities of representing music visually through the art of filmmaking. They explore the fundamental tools and techniques of music video production by reviewing and analyzing groundbreaking music videos. They also apply those techniques in the hands-on production of personal music videos.
MTI-310 Live Electronic Performance and DJ Skills
- MTI-310
- 2 credit(s)
- Prerequisites: MTEC-111
An introduction to live electronic music performance and DJ skills, beginning with the use of the turntable as a musical instrument. Students will explore the culture and aesthetics of Hip-hop, turntablism, club DJs, radio, and mash-up DJs, and will master the following techniques: cueing, mixing, beat matching, beat extending, mash-ups, blending, and scratching (basic, scribble, laser, uzi, stab, cut, transformer, crab, chirp and flare). Students will create their own live mixes and present them as midterm and final performances.
MP-114 Critical Listening Lab Online
- MP-114
- 1 credit(s)
- Prerequisites: MTEC-111
This online course focuses on developing critical listening skills with particular emphasis on analyzing recording and mix techniques in the context of the popular music mix. Topics include: acoustics of the critical listening environment; mix elements such as balances, panning, EQ, reverb, compression, delay and time-based effects; instrument identification; stylistic comparisons of recording and mix techniques. Listening analysis examples and concepts are reinforced through weekly critical listening assignments. A set of weekly audio ear training drills are also part of the class.
MP-115 Production Analysis Lab Online
- MP-114
- 1 credit(s)
- Prerequisites: MTEC-111
This online course focuses on developing critical listening skills with particular emphasis on analyzing recording and mix techniques in the context of the popular music mix. Topics include: acoustics of the critical listening environment; mix elements such as balances, panning, EQ, reverb, compression, delay and time-based effects; instrument identification; stylistic comparisons of recording and mix techniques. Listening analysis examples and concepts are reinforced through weekly critical listening assignments. A set of weekly audio ear training drills are also part of the class.
ILPH-359 Brazilian Rhythms and Percussion
- ILPH-359
- 2 credit(s)
- Prerequisites: None
A lab focusing on rhythmic techniques and song styles of Brazilian music and their related percussion instruments. Development of performance skills through study of audio and video recordings as well as supervised ensemble playing. Note: ILPH-357 may be taken instead of this course.
ISKB-211 Basic Keyboard Techniques 1
- ISKB-211
- 1 credit(s)
- Prerequisites: PW-111
For non-piano principals. Comping, harmonic continuity. Triads, seventh chords, melody, and accompaniment. Standard song forms, blues.