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 G.P.D. in Voice Performance 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 xxxx Ensemble electives (4 credits total, 1 credit each)
- M-LT 07xx / M-ST 779xx Repertoire electives (2 credits total, 1 credit each)
- M-SK 0009 Recital (0 credit)
- Xxxxx General electives (6 credits total)
What You Will Learn
Upon successful completion of the G.P.D. in Voice Performance program, students will:
- prepare and perform a wide range of repertoire with a high level of vocal technique and musical understanding developed through voice lessons, vocal coachings, and elective repertoire courses;
- tell stories through song in all sung languages easily and fluently, demonstrating translation skills and the ability to analyze poetry, and to deliver those texts in ways that are expressive and meaningful;
- express physical artistry in any performance setting through an easy use of the body drawing on work in performance skills seminar and elected courses;
- create work from their own artistic point of view developed through their unique understanding of who they are as an artist and their own personal mission; and
- create for themselves the artistic life they want using the technical tools, the musical knowledge, and the self-awareness and understanding gained through elective coursework as well as consistent one-on-one mentoring with a wide range of teachers/mentors who they can turn to for ongoing mentorship throughout their career trajectory.
Your Future
Alumni of the Conservatory’s voice performance program have won international competitions and awards, hold positions with prestigious opera companies, and perform in a range of genres, including traditional and experimental opera, oratorio, musical theater, choral, new music, and early music. They develop new works, manage established opera companies, and launch new companies, such as Guerilla Opera and Boston Opera Collaborative. They work in outreach and community service, bringing music to underserved communities. Alumni of Boston Conservatory’s voice performance program are helping to shape the future of the industry and are contributing to their local and global communities in countless ways.
How to Apply
Gainful Employment Disclosure
