Improve your performance, theory, production, and technology skills, take a workshop in our state-of-the-art campus in Valencia, Spain, and network in a multicultural environment. The program provides an opportunity for both Berklee and non-Berklee students from around the world to earn up to three undergraduate college credits from Berklee(*).
- Location: Berklee College of Music, Valencia campus
- Program Dates: July 21 to August 1, 2025
What’s the program like?
Berklee College of Music’s international campus in Valencia, Spain, offers a comprehensive summer music performance program each July. Coming to the Spain Summer Performance Program gives students a big-picture view of what it takes to become an excellent musician. Open to experienced performers or novice musicians who have never been in front of an audience, all participants will be able to improve their musicianship and performance skills in just two short weeks. The Spain Summer Performance Program aspires to give students a better understanding of what being an excellent musician entails, from instrumental, harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic skills to recording and production techniques to performing in front of live audiences. Our top-notch teachers from both the Valencia and Boston campuses create a supportive and creative environment that encourages students to push their vocal and instrumental performance skills to new levels and define their musical voice and style. All of this is taught in the vibrant cultural center of Valencia, Spain, and at one of the most prestigious contemporary music institutions in the world.
For two weeks, students are immersed in all aspects of performance. Classes, workshops, and rehearsals will focus on the important elements of being a musician. Students will play in ensembles, develop improvisational and reading skills, improve their technique in daily instrumental group lessons, and enjoy workshops and demonstrations by Berklee Valencia faculty and visiting artists. Students will also participate in production and recording workshops with first-rate engineers and producers on the Valencia technology team. To conclude the program, students will participate in the Lagos de Concierto in the vibrant City of Arts and Sciences, open to the Berklee and Valencia communities.
Valencia Campus and Mediterranean Influence
Valencia, Spain, is a vibrant city with a diverse and vibrant music scene that draws on cultural influences from the Mediterranean region of Europe and Africa. The Berklee Valencia campus is situated in the one-of-a-kind City of Arts and Sciences, which also adds to the unique experience of the Spain Summer Performance Program. As part of the program, students will have the opportunity to experience and learn about this rich culture through classes, workshops, and ensembles focused on various Mediterranean musical styles including flamenco.
Program Details
What Will I Learn?
For two weeks, students are immersed in all aspects of performance. Classes, workshops, and rehearsals will focus on the important elements of being a musician. Students will play in ensembles, develop improvisational and reading skills, improve their technique in daily instrumental group lessons, and enjoy workshops and demonstrations by Berklee Valencia faculty and visiting artists. Students will also participate in production and recording workshops with first-rate engineers and producers on the Valencia technology team. To conclude the program, students will participate in the Lagos de Concierto in the vibrant City of Arts and Sciences, open to the Berklee and Valencia communities.
Entrance Requirements
The Spain Summer Performance Program is open to all musicians at least 15 years old who have a minimum of six months of instrument or voice experience.
The language of instruction is English. Participants are advised to have at least an intermediate level (B1) of English to succeed in the courses and take advantage of the program. Please note that students are not required to submit proof of proficiency in order to join the program.
Important information regarding participation by students under the age of 18:
The Berklee Valencia Summer Performance Program is strictly an on-campus academic program. It is not a residential program, and students are required to live independently off-campus in non-Berklee-sponsored housing. Berklee only provides supervision during the set hours of the program and does not supervise students outside of program hours. Parents/legal guardians shall ensure proper supervision and accompaniment of minors (participants under 18 years of age) enrolled in the Spain Summer Performance Program outside the on-campus program scheduled hours, as well as during their travels to/from Valencia. Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent-legal guardian OR must have signed an authorization from their parent and/or legal guardian authorizing their participation in the program without adult supervision.
Curriculum and Courses
The curriculum consists of three core courses with additional cocurricular and optional activities designed to develop the participant's overall musicianship and performance skills. Students will complete a Musical Background Form prior to the start of the program; this will aid in placing students in the appropriate sections depending on the principal instrument, music style preference, and music level and ability. Students participating in the Spain Summer Performance Program may receive three college credits, one per core course, by earning a grade of B or higher.
Musicianship (& Theory Course)
1 credit, 1 ½ hours each session, 12 hours total
This course introduces fundamental studies of musical concepts such as ear training, harmony, composition, and styles. Students develop basic musicianship skills (the ability to read, write, remember, and improvise music) and perform and transcribe music from a wide variety of styles. Students complete class activities that include theoretical explanations, playing demonstrations, and listening to and analyzing relevant performers. Students are placed into sections based on their level of experience ranging from 1-5. Depending on the enrollment and overall level of students, some sections may be mixed levels.
- Level 1: Beginner with little to no previous experience with reading music and music theory concepts.
- Level 2: Beginner with developing experience reading music and understanding chords and music theory. Basic level of improvisation (pentatonic and blues scales).
- Level 3: Intermediate. An understanding of basic musical principles, in the process of developing reading melodies and chords. More familiarity with improvisation scales and modes.
- Level 4: Intermediate /Advance. Comfortable reading and writing melodies and chords. Able to use modes for improvisation.
- Level 5: Advance; Fluent in reading and writing music. Fluent with key signatures intervals, chord spelling, scales, and modes.
Instrument Seminar
1 credit, 1 ½ hour per session, 12 hours total
Students will be trained in groups based on their principal instrument to understand the function of their instruments within the context of contemporary music genres as well as in the framework of ensembles of diverse configurations. Through practice and discussion on the study and learning strategies on their own instrument, students will also achieve an understanding of the role of the instrument in the context of each musical genre and will work on strategies to develop musical arrangements. Depending on the enrollment and instrument breakdown of students, students may be placed in groups of similar instruments such as percussion, brass, woodwinds, and keyboards. NOTE for EDI students: Availability for EDI-only seminar is dependent on enrollment. EDI students may be placed with keyboard students or placed in another instrument seminar based on a secondary instrument of choice.
Recording Music Ensemble
1 credit, 1 ½ hours per session, 12 hours total
In this course, students will immerse themselves in an ensemble setting that will work towards achieving experience in understanding the performing and recording process from rehearsal to final performances and recordings. Ensemble groups are usually mixed styles and levels of experience. Examples of styles include contemporary, jazz, pop and rock, funk/fusion, pop/R&B, salsa/Latin, and world music. Ensembles will also perform in Berklee Valencia's Lago de Conciertos as a culminating experience.
New for summer 2024: Students will experience a live sound and stage recording session both as a performer and as an audience member. In addition, there will be an ensemble that focuses on Production (Recording Musician Ensemble-Production). Instead of playing an instrument, students in this ensemble will learn about and provide hand-on support to the recording process from beginning to end. This includes starting with audio signal flow and microphone techniques, to multi-camera concepts and technical production in live show settings. All participants will be assigned professional roles, working as Sound Engineers, Video Directors, and Stage Managers during the Live Recording Sessions happening in a professional recording stage. This project-based learning experience will arm students with powerful tools and strategies in music production.
Due to the limited capacity of the Recording Musician Ensemble-Production, acceptance is through application upon arrival to the program. All other students will be placed in ensembles according to the Musical Background form prior to the start of the program.
Cocurricular Activities
Industry Workshops, Labs
In addition to the core curriculum, there are additional cocurricular activities meant to complement the core curriculum. Industry workshops and labs are designed to explore current topics and "trends" in the industry that deepen a student's overall understanding and musicianship. Students are expected to attend at least three workshops or labs as part of the musicianship course.
Final Performances
All students will also perform with their ensemble in the Lagos de Conciertos. The Lago de Conciertos happens on a floating stage, in front of the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum in the City of Arts and Sciences, where the campus is also located. Dates of the performances will take place the last three days of the program in the evening. Students will be assigned a performance date during the first week of the program. Concerts are open to the general public.
Lagos de Conciertos Flickr Album
