I got rejected from Berklee about a month and a half ago and decided to commit to Cornish College of The Arts in Seattle. I plan on trying to transfer to Berklee. When do you all think is the best time for me to transfer?
The only date it seems like I can audition is August 10th which would be for Spring 2020. Berklee will be holding auditions in Seattle in December but I’m very unsure as to when but it could end up being during Christmas Break. They also are holding audition dates in Feburary 2020 but I learned my lesson that it’s best to apply early action.
I plan on playing a chord melody for my audition piece. I plan to make the song a little more up tempo than what the piece is. I plan on playing with either no backing track or some sort of light drum track in the background. Besides my prepared piece, what does everyone think is the most important part of the audition?
Make sure you improve everything about your last audition. That includes your sight reading, improve, and ear training. Work on things like jazz harmony. Review styles you don’t normally play, as well as timings. All major scales and their modes.
Work with an instructor who can help you with your audition piece and these other things. Pick your audition piece carefully, make it something you really like and connect to. Don’t use a backing track.
Find out if Berklee offers scholarships to transfer students, some schools do not.
Think about how you’ll approach the interview, too. They’ll want to know why you want Berklee, so think about how you might be able to better approach your answer to that, especially as a transfer student. Why is Berklee a fit for you, and you for Berklee?
And really do try to make Cornish work. The place might surprise you, if you give it a real chance. And it can act as a nice backup should you not get into Berklee. Best of luck, regardless.