Performance Opportunities

From day one, students in the master in contemporary performance (production concentration) program will find a plethora of performance opportunities available on campus.

Beyond the coursework of the program with ensembles, recording, and private instruction, there are extracurricular activities that everyone on campus is welcome to join. In addition, Valencia is a vibrant music city, with a number of clubs and bars that enjoy collaborating with Berklee students.

Coursework in Performance

Each semester students' coursework includes intensive practice in performing. Coursework includes private instruction, ensembles, the performance forum, and recording projects.

Private Instruction: Students take a 3-credit class with their private instructor each semester. Instructors are assigned to students based on instrument, style, and personal goals.
Music Technology Collaboration: Contemporary Performance students are paired with students from the music production, technology and innovation program. Each semester the students work together on recording and production projects throughout the year both in their courses as well as their culminating experience and other projects.
Ensembles: Each semester students participate in an ensemble under the direction of a senior faculty member and perform with their ensemble in concerts each semester. Ensemble styles change each semester, and adapt to the students' needs and experience. Some past examples of ensembles include Salsa/Latin, Mediterranean, Contemporary Jazz, Funk/Groove, American Roots, and Flamenco Fusion.
Masters Performance Forum: This is a performance workshop in which students learn interdisciplinary approaches to music-making. Students work on developing their culminating experience project and present ideas and music for critique and feedback. This is also the place where students get the chance to interact with visiting artists.

Extracurricular Performing Opportunities on Campus

The campus is full of life, and there's always something you can get involved in. Extracurricular activities are optional and vary from year to year. Some opportunities are open for all students to participate, while others are by audition, application, or invitation.

Events: There are opportunities for select students to perform in many on-campus events such as orientation, graduation, ensemble performances, events at the City of Arts and Sciences, etc.
Extracurricular Activities: Extracurricular activities are completely optional for students, take place outside of class time, and vary year to year. Past examples of such activities include a batucada group, flamenco workshop, a choir, Valencia DJ Collective, ensembles, etc.

Performing In and Around Valencia

Music has always played an important role in the culture and people of Valencia, and since Berklee arrived here a whole new music scene has developed. Students are responsible for finding and participating in gigs and shows around Valencia on their own, but many bars and clubs are very open to collaborating with Berklee students. See an article in British Airways Highlife magazine written by an alumna on Six Places to Listen to Live Music in Valencia.

'Bordering the Mediterranean on Spain’s east coast, Valencia has long been the nexus of Western, African, Hispanic and South American cultures, the various musical traditions blending with the local.'

Valencia’s Newest Sounds of Music

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Performing Outside Valencia

These performing opportunities are not part of the official curriculum, and the opportunities change from year to year.

Conferences: There are many music-related conferences located throughout Europe and Spain each year. Students are encouraged to pursue performing opportunities at conferences, and students in the past have participated in EmTech, MIDEM, and TEDxBerkleeValencia. Most of these opportunities have a selection process such as an application or audition the student must submit.
Miscellaneous Opportunities: Throughout the year, various opportunities may arise where students have the chance to perform outside of Valencia, either as official representatives of Berklee College of Music or on their own. Past opportunities have arisen for students to travel and perform to Madrid, Brazil, and Taiwan. Most of these opportunities are invitation-only.