<p>Do any of you have knowledge/experience/impressions of this four-day program or any other songwriting programs open to high-schoolers? Thanks.</p>
<p>I took the program in 1998- It included a few high school kids but mainly college and old timers like myself. It was well done and recharged my batteries regarding songwriting. The best part of the program was the analysis of current and past pop hits. We musicians have a tendency to think bubble gum or pop is easy to write, well after this class I gained a new appreciation for songwriing as a craft. The most positive aspect of this course is the fact that after hours you hang around and exchange ideas with other songwriters. This was worth more than the classes themselves. We had a chance to have our songs analyzed by a current publishing house- Bug Music and a songwirter who has had several top hits also was on the panel(Marshall Crenshaw) and a talent show at the end. I was exhausted after 5 days, but would like to do it again if they ever held on for the over 40 crowd. No offense but younger people have different ideas about writing- like they dislike the thought of writing a commercial pop hit........but it was good to hear their ideas even if I felt that they were hopelessly idealistic.</p>
<p>I would highly recommend this course.</p>
<p>Thanks, songman, for describing your experience. I didn't realize the age range would be so wide. I wonder how a somewhat reserved 16 year old girl would fare in that setting. Do you recall approximately what the male-female ratio was?</p>
<p>Son did not do this program but did attend a Berklee in LA. He had a great time, loved the after hours getting together. It seemed to us that the kids had tons of free time and little supervision. There were some adult students. All the papers stressed the rules-no alcohol for <21, no drugs but I don't know who enforced the rules-2nd floor smelled like pot per son. We were not there so maybe there was supervision and son just was blind. We would have sent him again but he was never able to fit it into the schedule.</p>
<p>Thanks, lamom, for your feedback. Since both your son and songman especially liked the after hours getting together, I wonder if that is a reason to attend as a boarder, or if the after-hours get togethers would be open to non-boarders.</p>
<p>Where exactly is this located? Can you give some info that would help someone who was interested but clueless?
Thanks..</p>
<p>Cruella, Here's the link for Berklee's summer programs: <a href="http://www.berklee.edu/summer/%5B/url%5D">http://www.berklee.edu/summer/</a></p>
<p>The listings for program information show all the summer offerings through Berklee.</p>
<p>SV2, seems to be the after hours were open to everyone. I don't think son ran into a commuter while he was there. Several were actually from out of state.</p>
<p>SV2- sorry I am so late in replying- I go into the boards once in awhile- I recall that there was an equal mix of males to females- in the lower age groups- less females in the the older group35+- not that much though- Funny I played guitar with several kids and they were astonished at all the Hendrix and Clapton I knew and I wanted to learn the Dave Matthews stuff they knew- later groups split into their respective (not by school design) and we had after hour jams of all age groups that was really awesome-that was school sponsored. I am not sure though with the online courses that Berklee offers if they discontinued the summer workshops where you stay at the school for a week and have an intensive week of learning, music and fun. Believe me I wish I had done this type of program years ago- I would be in the music business today and not in investments- HA!</p>
<p>This is not a paid endorsement of the Berklee summer programs. I am not affiliated with Berklee in any way,although I sure as heck wish I was.</p>
<p>The summer programs are still going and I signed up my son for this summer's program.</p>
<p>To answer the question about boarding. If you can board the experience is better IMHO. Many of the after hour jams take place in the dorms or in front of the dorms. There are a few school sponsored jams also, but the compatibility among players was less than desired. A clash of musical styles sometimes sounds like a mish mash! So the inpromptu sesions were better.</p>
<p>In addition, having breakfast and dinner with fellow musicians of all backgrounds gives one a chance to hear how others view the music business and what their approach to succeeding will be...this info is very helpful. Day students cannot possibly get there early enough or stay late enough to really experience the out of class experience unless they have their own form of transportation. Plus the professionals that attend, usually attend the seeions at night. Our songwriter session went to 10 p.m. I believe.</p>
<p>I wholeheartedly endorse the summer programs as a way for students to obtain an introduction to the faculty and teaching style of Berklee. Especially potential full time students of the college. A sort of kick the tires approach.</p>
<p>Hey Songman. Thanks for the information. My kid has chosen a different summer music experience but she might want to attend Berklee in future summers. </p>
<p>Which sessions will your son attend?</p>
<p>Probably Guitar and songwriting.......</p>
<p>Quote from a Berklee letter to my son after completion of the songwriting workshop this past summer:</p>
<p>"Here at Berklee we eat,drink and sleep music......we understand that music is a passionate undertaking and our goal is to support and encourage you in pursuit of your passion whether it be performing,music business,songwriting or a career in music technology".</p>
<p>Damien S. Bracken, Director of Admissions</p>
<p>IMHO, I think this pretty much says what Berklee is all about.</p>
<p>Ah my D. would disagree with you songman...she would love to write a commercial pop hit. She actually just recorded her demo this past Sat with two of her own songs and we cant wait to send em out and see what happens..course we still have to make labels, get copies, get the final version etc.</p>