About the Program

Whether you’re interested in classical or contemporary, the Brass Workshop is for you. With instructors from Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee, you will study with diverse, world-class faculty comprising some of the East Coast’s most renowned musicians. You’ll have the perfect opportunity to improve all aspects of your musical ability, taking your skills to new levels by exploring the world of brass performance.

How to Enroll

This program has limited capacity. Submission of registration materials alone does not guarantee participation in the program. You will secure your spot by paying in full.

Step 1Submit your registration
Begin by submitting your registration online. If applicable, you may need to submit additional supporting materials.
Step 2Make your tuition payment
All programs have limited capacity, so be sure to complete your full tuition payment to reserve your space in the program.
Step 3Request housing
If you will be age 15 or older by the start of your Boston-based program and require on-campus accommodations, complete the Residence Hall Agreement in the Next Steps tab of your registration portal.
Step 4Complete your next steps
Visit the Next Steps section of your account to view and complete any additional requirements. Review the checklist to make sure you are on track.

Curriculum

For all classes and ensembles, you will be placed with participants of similar abilities and interests. As part of registration, choose one of two tracks to participate in.

Gain expert knowledge on improving your tone, technical ability, sight-reading, and overall musicianship. Strengthen your performance skills and rehearsal techniques in a classical brass ensemble setting. You will play alongside faculty, many of whom perform with the Boston Pops and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, in large and small ensembles focused on various classical time periods. Ensembles in this track are generally between five and 12 players, with an even distribution of brass instruments
In addition to ensemble classes, French horn players will have daily master classes with Eli Epstein, a veteran horn player with the Cleveland Orchestra, author of Horn Playing from the Inside Out, and horn professor at Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Take your reading, ensemble playing, and improvisational skills to the next level. You can participate in several jam sessions throughout the week and will perform in one of three ensembles. Ensembles in this track are generally between eight and 12 brass players, and include a rhythm section. Choose one of the following ensembles based on the style that suits you
- Jazz
  : Get familiar with jazz harmony, melody, and rhythm while exploring the roots and branches of America’s unique musical art form. You will perform music from bebop to swing and modern jazz.
- Funk
  : Study music that combines elements of R&B and soul music. “Funkify” your soul with music from the likes of the Meters, John Scofield, the Yellow Jackets, Snarky Puppy, and more.
- New Orleans
  : Explore the roots of jazz through group interaction and solo improvisation in this ensemble that focuses on second line and Dixieland traditions. Music from Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Sidney Bechet, and others will have you groovin’ to the second-line parade.
The Brass Workshop offers participants the opportunity to study with internationally renowned teachers with proven track records—those who have not only won their own prestigious awards, but who have taught students that went on to enjoy flourishing careers. The Brass Workshop faculty includes Larry Isaacson, John Faieta, Steve Emery, Joe Foley, Eli Epstein, Norman Bolter, Angel Subero, Ken Amis, Jeff Stout, Charlie Lewis, Phil Grenadier, and Billy Buss(Opens in a new window).

Schedule

Check out a typical day in the program. Schedules are subject to change.

Each Day

8 AM–9 AMBreakfast
9:15 AM–10:15 AMStudio Classes by Instrument (Low Brass, Trumpet, and French Horn)
10:30 AM–NoonEnsembles
12:15 PM–1:15 PMLunch
1:30 PM–2:45 PMEnsembles
3 PM–3:45 PMClassical or Contemporary Elective
4 PM–4:45 PMClassical or Contemporary Elective
5 PM–6:45 PMDinner and Practice Time
7 PM–10:15 PMFaculty Recitals, Electives, and Jam Sessions

Performance Opportunities

Students will participate in one of the following ensembles during the week:

Large Classical Brass Ensemble
Small Classical Brass Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble
Funk Ensemble
New Orleans Ensemble

Brass Workshop Requirements

All students who meet the minimum age requirement and older, with six months of playing experience on electric or acoustic bass are welcome to attend.
Participants must possess a proficient level of English to enroll in this program. We do not require proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) as part of the enrollment or application process; however, you are expected to have a sufficient command of the English language to understand class material and assignments.
- Your instrument and any necessary accessories
- Mutes: for classical players, a straight mute; for contemporary players, a plunger
- Tuner and metronome (possibly on your phone)
- Notebook
- Pencil
- Concert attire: a pair of black or khaki long pants and a colorful, short-sleeved shirt; or a colorful dress

Program Directors

Class of 2009
Russell “Billy” Buss
Billy Buss is an award-winning trumpet player, composer, producer, and educator. He has been recognized by DownBeat magazine, the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts, and the White House (as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts).
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Angel Subero
"I want my students feeling confident in themselves and their abilities. I strive to give them the tools they need to tackle the challenges that they will face in the modern music industry."

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Once You’ve Enrolled

The Berklee Summer Programs Team is excited that you’ve taken the first step! Now that you’re enrolled, here’s what you need to know to be prepared before check-in, and what to expect afterward.

Please regularly check the email you used to enroll in your program for important updates. A detailed check-in email, containing information about your assigned arrival location, housing assignment (if applicable), and program schedule, will be sent one to two weeks before your program's start date.
On-campus housing is limited, and spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis based on the completion of the following steps:
1. Read, sign, and submit the residence hall agreement on the registration portal.
2. The Summer Programs team will review your signed residence hall agreement within 3-5 business days. After review, we will send you an email inviting you to return to the registration portal to view your on-campus housing decision letter.
3. If your request has been approved, secure your spot by accepting your offer and paying the housing fee in full.
Important Considerations
- For students enrolled in multiple programs, please complete a separate residence hall agreement (along with the accompanying housing fee payment) for each program.
- To be eligible to request on-campus housing, a student must be 15 years of age before the start of their program.
- If a student is under the age of 18, the request for on-campus housing must be filled out by a parent/guardian, and both the student and parent/guardian must agree to all the terms and conditions.
- Applicants for Musical Theater Acting Intensive (MTAI) and Vocal/Choral Intensive (VCI) must first be offered admission and accept their offer before their residence hall agreement submission will be considered.
- Since space in our residence halls is limited, a spot in our residence halls will only be guaranteed once a student has fully registered for their chosen program and paid the program tuition in full. Any housing requests or payments made before the completion of both these steps do not ensure a guaranteed place in on-campus housing.
Learn more about housing and campus life by exploring the Help Center.
Accommodations are provided for students with documented medical needs, offering services such as academic accommodations, academic coaching, special housing arrangements, dietary adjustments, and referrals to on-campus support, including adaptive technology and tutoring.
Accommodations are determined through an interactive process involving the student, faculty, the Office of Housing and Residential Education, a dietitian, and Accessibility Resources for Students staff. Requests for academic, housing, and dietary accommodations can be made by following the steps outlined in this Help Center article.

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Brass Workshop