Courses

In this course trombonists will develop a viable practice routine as it pertains to ensemble playing in all the relevant styles for that instrument. They will learn to better perform together in all relevant idioms and styles. They will learn to transition between idioms and styles with improved control and skill.

In this advanced ensemble trombonists will develop a viable practice routine as it pertains to ensemble playing in all the relevant styles for the instrument. They will learn to better perform together in all relevant idioms and styles. They will learn to transition between idioms and styles with improved control and skill.

This advanced jazz trombone ensemble is one of the premier ensembles in the Brass Department and features some of its strongest jazz trombonists. This ensemble consists of four to eight trombonists with a standard rhythm section. Students are encouraged to write original compositions for the group and perform in a variety of settings on and off campus. This ensemble will submit entries to competitions sponsored by the International Trombone Association and the American Trombone Workshop.

Large vocal ensemble with emphasis on traditional and contemporary music stretching through a wide range of music genres. In this course, students will participate in weekly rehearsals. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy. Concert performances during the fall and spring semesters.

The Berklee Symphonic Winds ensemble is open to all members of the campus community who are interested in performing music for winds, brass, and percussion. The ensemble’s repertoire will consist of both contemporary works and masterworks written specifically for the wind band, as well as transcriptions of pieces from other media, both popular and classical. Secondary instrument performers are encouraged to participate.

A recording orchestra of 37 musicians, the Film Scoring Studio Orchestra will integrate and improve orchestral performance skills in an actual Hollywood-style scoring stage setting. A collaboration between the Ensemble, Music Production and Engineering, and Film Scoring departments, the orchestra will meet in Studio 1 of the 160 Massachusetts Avenue building. Each week the ensemble will play music composed by professional film composers or Berklee Film Scoring students, and be recorded by Berklee students in related MP&E classes. Through participation in film scoring sessions in a state-of-the-art scoring stage venue, students will improve their overall efficiency of sight-reading, technique, rhythm (including click track competency), intonation, articulation, style orientation, and ensemble-centered production (listening/response sensitivity).   

The Contemporary Orchestra is designed to feature Berklee's student performers, composers, and conductors through the use of standard repertoire, film, multimedia, and sound. Works of major 20th century composers, as well as Berklee students and faculty, are programmed. Student performers gain experience in orchestral auditions and have the opportunity to be featured as soloists. This ensemble meets two times per week; the second weekly meeting is used for workshops.

Note: students who have previously taken this course can enroll directly without written approval of course instructor. 

The Art of Music of Black Composers Ensemble studies and performs the richness of America’s roots music traditions. The students study all types of black composers stretching from roots music all the way to modern day pop. This ensemble emphasizes hearing and expressing musical ideas with stylistic integrity and melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy.