Vocal Summit

Boston
Ages 15+
Your voice—it’s your instrument. Take the next step to develop your sound in this five-day program with instruction in vocal technique, style, performance skills, singing with a band, group singing, and a cappella performance. Open to vocalists, singer-songwriters, and instrumentalists who sing, Vocal Summit will let you explore the world of contemporary vocal music.
Dates
June 17-June 22
Check-in Time
Coming Soon
Move-out
Coming Soon
Tuition
$1,295
Housing
$895
Registration fee
$50 (nonrefundable)
 

How to Enroll

  1. Submit your registration.* Begin by submitting your registration online. If applicable, you may need to submit additional supporting materials.
  2. Make your tuition payment.* All programs have limited capacity, so be sure to complete your full tuition payment to reserve your space in the program.
  3. Request housing. If you will be age 15 or older by the start of your program and require on-campus accommodations, complete the Residence Hall Contract in the Next Steps tab of your registration portal .

*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. When the program capacity has been reached, registrants who have not paid in full will be placed on a waitlist.

Curriculum

The Vocal Summit program offers styles in pop-rock, pop and R&B, jazz, and musical theater. You'll select one style to study during the program and participate in several core classes throughout the week.

  • Solo coaching: These are small classes where singers perform solo songs with accompaniment in a master class setting. Students will be coached on interpretation, phrasing, expression, timbre, register, key selection, working with a band, count-offs, cues, cutoffs, microphone technique, and stage presence. 
  • Ensembles: Vocal ensembles are groups of 20–40 singers directed by Berklee faculty and accompanied by a rhythm section. Each ensemble will perform one musical selection at the final concert.

Students will also select workshops to attend throughout the program. Electives for 2022 are not yet available, but the following list of electives offered in 2019 will give you a sense of what to expect:

  • Vocal Technique Overview
  • Improvisation for Vocalists
  • Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Background Singing
  • Ace the Audition
  • How to Record and Mix Vocals
  • Voicework: Vocal Technique 
  • Empowerment for the Emerging Artist
  • Learn to Beat Box
  • Singer-Songwriter Workshop
  • Soul, R&B: The Past, Present, and Future
  • Musical Theater Audition Techniques
  • Demystifying the Mix Voice
Schedule

Below is a sample of a typical day in the program. 

TimeEvent
8 AM–8:50 AMBreakfast
9 AM–10:50 AMEnsemble or solo coaching
11 AM–12:50 PMEnsemble or solo coaching
1 PM–1:50 PMLunch
2 PM–3 PMVisiting artist presentation
4 PM–5:50 PMWorkshops
6 PM–7:20 PMDinner
7:30 PM–8:50 PMVisiting artist concert
9:00 PM–10:20 PMOpen mics

Schedule subject to change.

Performance Opportunities

The program culminates in a final showcase of student ensembles. Each student will take the stage and participate in at least one ensemble.

Students also have the opportunity to perform in open mics each evening. Open mics are a great chance for students to perform in a different style than their elected style for classes.

All performances are open to friends and family.

Requirements

All students 15 and older with six months of singing experience are welcome to attend.

Visiting Artists

  • Radius

    Radius

    Radius is a professional a cappella group based out of Chicago, Illinois. Radius was formed in the midst of the global pandemic with the intention of creating top-tier virtual content and bringing some light to the world. After working on virtual projects, the group converged on Chicago for the summer. Radius has performed all around the country, helped raise over $1 million for the Berklee City Music program, and has taught thousands of students from around the world.

  • Michael Mayo's headshot

    Michael Mayo

    Whether Michael Mayo is performing with his band, as a guest, or alone with a looper pedal, the L.A. native’s commanding and other worldly vocalese has gathered critical and commercial acclaim around the globe. Mayo is a veteran international performer whose highlights include singing at the White House, the Kennedy Center, the Monterey Jazz Festival and North Sea Jazz Festival, among any others. Most recently he has recorded and performed with Herbie Hancock, Jacob Collier, Kneebody, Gretchen Parlato, Josh Groban, Ben Wendel, and Scary Pockets.

Once You've Enrolled

Once you're enrolled visit our Next Steps for Enrolled Students to make sure you have everything you need for your program.

Check Your Email for Important Information

  • You should continue to check the email that you used to enroll in the program for important information.
  • You will receive a detailed check-in email with information regarding your assigned arrival location, housing assignment, and a link to view your program schedule one to two weeks prior to the start date of your program.
  • When you arrive on campus, you will receive additional program information to guide you through your program.

What to Pack