How to Enroll
- Submit your registration by June 1.* Begin by submitting your registration online. If applicable, you may need to submit additional supporting materials.
- Make your tuition payment by June 1.* All programs have limited capacity, so be sure to complete your full tuition payment to reserve your space in the program.
*Please note: 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.
Each day, students will participate in three core classes: Writing Workshop, Tools and Techniques, and a visiting artist presentation. As the daily final class, students can elect to attend a collaboration session, faculty office hours, or a group feedback session.
Students will also choose several electives to attend throughout the program. The following is a list of electives previously offered that will give you a sense of what to expect:
- Topline Writing
- Rhyme and Beyond: Playing with Sound in Your Lyrics
- Generating Inspiration: Finding Ideas for Your Songs
- Intro to Production
- Diving Deeper into Harmony
- Production Prosody: The Hidden Secret in Front of Your Ears
- Master Class with Courtney Harrell: Performance Workshop
- Master Class with Adrianne Gonzalez: Songwriting for Film and TV
- Master Class with Amy Allen: Live Cowriting Session with Eric Leva
- Master Class with Priscilla Renea: My Journey
- Master Class with Robert Kraft
Below is a sample of a typical day in the program.
Time | Event |
9 AM–10 AM | Practice time |
10 AM–11 AM | Tools and Techniques |
11 AM–12 PM | Writing Workshop |
12 PM–1 PM | Lunch (provided) |
1 PM–2 PM | Visiting artist presentation |
2 PM–3:30 PM | Elective |
3:30 PM–5 PM | Writer camp, producer lab, one-on-one, or feedback session |
5 PM–6 PM | Open mic |
6 PM | End of day |
Schedule subject to change.
The program culminates in a final showcase of student performances. This performance is not mandatory, and interested students must sign up to confirm their spot.
Students also have the opportunity to perform in open mics in the evenings.
All performances are open to friends and family.
General Requirements
All students 14 and older with some background in songwriting or production 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.
Required Materials
One component of this program is sharing your work as part of the master class experience, interacting with fellow program participants, and receiving feedback from the instructors. You can bring charts or lead sheets and/or recordings of your songs (via tablet, computer, or another accessible format). If a song’s lyrics are not in English, an English translation will be needed.
Songwriting Sessions in Los Angeles offers a chance for songwriters who are producers, or interested in learning more about producing, to take classes and use the open lab to build tracks and songs. Anyone can take production classes at this program, no matter how experienced or inexperienced they are as a producer; so if you're new to it, don't worry!
If you’re interested in producing or making beats at the program, please read the following information.
Equipment
To use the lab, you’ll need to bring a laptop with a DAW (recording software) installed. Some examples of DAWs: Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, GarageBand, FL Studio, StudioOne.
If possible, please bring headphones (adaptor from ⅛” to ¼”). We have small MIDI keyboards, interfaces, and microphones in the lab. You’re welcome to bring your own interface and MIDI keyboard if you prefer.
Preparation:
If you're new to your DAW, or even if you've been using it for a while, please check out the applicable tutorials below before our first meeting. They're all under 20 minutes and give a basic overview of the most commonly used DAWs.
FL Studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDIsEZsalAo
Studio One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIxqI5TjqWc
Garageband: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y1cEwaQK0s
Students should also bring any portable instrument they use to compose music. Pianos will be provided, as well as small MIDI keyboards. If you compose music on a laptop, please bring your computer and any equipment that’s important for your creativity.
With the exception of pianists and drummers, students are expected to bring their instruments to all summer programs. Additionally, please note the following:
- Contemporary vocalists are required to bring their own low-impedance microphone and cord. You can review microphone recommendations on this page from the Voice Department.
- Drummers should come prepared with sticks and brushes. While students are welcome to bring their own cymbals, hi-hat, and clutch, these items are also provided during the program.
- Guitarists and electric bassists should bring any necessary cables and foot pedals. Amplifiers will be supplied during instruction. Consider bringing a small practice amplifier (with headphones) for individual practice rooms.
- Keyboardists who wish to bring a synthesizer for ensemble purposes or private practice may do so.
- Electronic Digital Instrumentalists (EDI) must bring a computer with Ableton Live and a MIDI keyboard.
Participants will study on the campus of the Colburn School. This program is conveniently located in L.A.'s downtown arts corridor at 200 South Grand Avenue. Students are encouraged to commute to campus or stay in a local hotel with family.
Students must remain on the Colburn School campus during this program.
Program Director
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Berklee Online Songwriting Instructor
The Berklee Summer Programs Team is excited that you've taken the first step! Now that you've enrolled, here's what to know, to be sure you're prepared before and after you check in for the experience of a lifetime.
What to do first?
Complete These Tasks by June
Prepare to Arrive and Check In
Access the Summer Programs Help Center
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