Program Overview
After completing an undergraduate or graduate degree in music, students may wish to gain more practical performance experience before pursuing an advanced degree or a career in the industry. Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s Graduate Performance Diploma (G.P.D.) is a two-year program that provides concentrated performance training without the academic coursework required of a master's program. Because the G.P.D. program is designed to maximize students' time performing and minimize their time in the classroom, students entering the program are expected to be strong performers and well versed in their knowledge of music. Therefore, an undergraduate degree in music is required to be eligible for enrollment.
Performance Opportunities
G.P.D. students receive weekly personalized lessons with their Conservatory instructor, with an emphasis on performance technique and presence. With ensemble assignments meant to emulate the pacing and rigor of a professional music organization, students perform continually throughout the semester with the Conservatory’s many large and small ensembles and chamber groups, in pit orchestras for dance, opera, and theater productions, and in solo recitals and special auditioned groups.
Additionally, students are encouraged to take advantage of the Conservatory’s prime location in Boston by auditioning for local ensembles and participating in music festivals and competitions. This provides an excellent opportunity for students to build real-world experience and strong professional networks.
Course Requirements
The Graduate Performance Diploma in Brass Performance program requires students to complete 24 credits, consisting of the course requirements listed below. View the Sample Curriculum by Semester for additional details.
- M-AP 0009 Applied lessons (12 credits total; 3 credits each)
- M-EN 0069 Instrumental Ensemble (4 credits total; 1 credit each)
- M-EN 0079 Chamber Music (4 credits; 1 credit each)
- M-SK 0009 Recital (0 credits; completed twice)
- M-ST 0209 Performance Seminar: Brass (4 credits total; 1 credit each)
What You Will Learn
The Graduate Performance Diploma in Brass Performance program features an enhanced focus on training through performance-focused experiences. Upon successful completion of the program, students will:
- perform a wide range of musical styles, genre, and repertoire with a high level of technique and artistry developed in applied instrumental lessons, large and small ensemble experiences, coachings, master classes, and observations;
- analyze instrumental technique to overcome technical challenges, with an ability to communicate the details of that technique to another, as studied in applied lessons;
- develop and foster meaningful artistic collaborations with partners across the musical and artistic spectrum;
- cultivate meaningful connections to the communities in which they teach and perform, informed by their experiences in large and small ensembles, and through special partnership programs at Boston Conservatory; and
- establish an artistic identity that represents their individuality, celebrating music of past and present, and serving as a champion for the future of our industry.
Your Future
Alumni of the Conservatory’s brass performance master's program enjoy full-time careers performing with emerging and renowned ensembles, teaching at private studios, and serving as arts administrators at esteemed organizations across the country, including:
Ensembles
- Albany Symphony
- Alea III
- Atlantic Brass Quintet
- Boston Ballet
- Boston Philharmonic
- Boston Pops
- Boston Symphony Orchestra
- Celebrity Series of Boston
- Emmanuel Music
- Epic Brass Quintet
- Greensboro Symphony
- Iris Orchestra
- Montreal Symphony
- National Lyric Opera
- National Philharmonic
- New York Pops
- Opera Boston
- Portland Symphony
- Rhode Island Philharmonic
- Synergy Brass Quintet
- Triton Brass Quintet
- Vermont Symphony
Music Festivals
- Aspen Music Festival and School
- Bar Harbor Institute
- Eastern Music Festival
- Hot Springs Music Festival
- Monteux School
- National Youth Orchestra of Canada
- Tanglewood Music Center
- Youth Orchestra of the Americas
Awards
- Concert Artist's Guild
- Fischoff Chamber Music Competition – Silver and Bronze Medals
- International Chamber Music Competition, Lyon, France – Silver Medal
- New York Brass Conference Brass Quintet Competition – First Prize, Third Prize
How to apply
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