The Spain Summer Performance Program is designed for musicians from around the world ages 15 and up to develop their musicianship, theory, and performance skills. This 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 performing in front of live audiences.
- Location: Berklee College of Music, Valencia campus
- Program Dates: July 20 to July 31, 2026
What’s the Program Like?
The Spain Summer Performance Program is an opportunity for participants ages 15 and up to deepen their musicianship and performance skills in the vibrant cultural city of Valencia, Spain. 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. Our top-notch teachers from both the Valencia and Boston campuses create a supportive and creative artistic environment that encourages students to push their instrumental and vocal performance skills to new levels and define their musical voice and style. Students take part in group lessons, play in an ensemble, and dive into music theory, all while discovering the exciting world of contemporary music.
Valencia Campus and Mediterranean Influence
Valencia, Spain, is a vibrant city with a diverse and thriving music scene that draws on cultural influences from the Mediterranean region of Europe and Africa. 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. 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.
Program Details
What Will I Learn?
For two weeks, students are immersed in all aspects of performance. Classes, workshops, and activities 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 the program faculty and staff. To conclude the program, students will participate in a final performance within the City of Arts and Sciences, open to the Berklee and Valencia communities.
Entrance Requirements
The Spain Summer Performance Program is open to all musicians ages 15 and up 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) when outside the on-campus scheduled hours of the program, 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 co-curricular and optional activities designed to develop the participants’ 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, music level, and experience. 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 in each of those courses.
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. Students gain more familiarity with improvisation scales and modes.
- Level 4: Intermediate/Advanced. Comfortable reading and writing melodies and chords. Able to use modes for improvisation.
- Level 5: Advanced. 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
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 (Electronic Digital Instrument) 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
In this course, students will immerse themselves in an ensemble setting that will work toward achieving experience in understanding the performing and recording processes, from rehearsal to final performances. 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. Students will experience a live sound and stage recording session both as a performer and as an audience member. All ensembles will also hold a public-facing concert as a culminating experience.
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 participate in a final performance within the City of Arts and Sciences, open to the Berklee and Valencia communities.
Lagos de Conciertos Flickr Album
