Brass Workshop

How to Enroll

Submit your registration by May 1.* Begin by submitting your registration online. If applicable, you may need to submit additional supporting materials.
Make your tuition payment by May 1.* All programs have limited capacity, so be sure to complete your full tuition payment to reserve your space in the program.
Request housing by May 1. Students who are 15 years of age or older by the start of their Boston-based program are eligible to stay in on-campus housing. If you meet the eligibility requirements and have indicated that you would like to request on-campus housing, please revisit your registration portal and submit a Residence Hall Agreement.

*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.

Curriculum

For all classes and ensembles, you will be placed with participants of similar abilities and interests. As part of the registration, you can choose between two tracks to participate in.

Classical

Gain expert knowledge on improving your tone, technical ability, sight-reading, and overall musicianship. Strengthen your performance skills and rehearsal techniques in a classical brass ensemble setting. You will play alongside faculty, many of whom perform with the Boston Pops and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, in large and small ensembles focused on various classical time periods. Ensembles in this track are generally between five and 12 players, with an even distribution of brass instruments

In addition to ensemble classes, French horn players will have daily master classes with Eli Epstein, a veteran horn player with the Cleveland Orchestra, author of Horn Playing from the Inside Out, and horn professor at Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

Contemporary

Take your reading, ensemble playing, and improvisational skills to the next level. You can participate in several jam sessions throughout the week and will perform in one of three ensembles. Ensembles in this track are generally between eight and 12 brass players, and include a rhythm section. Choose one of the following ensembles based on the style that suits you

Jazz: Get familiar with jazz harmony, melody, and rhythm while exploring the roots and branches of America’s unique musical art form. You will perform music from bebop to swing and modern jazz.
Funk: Study music that combines elements of R&B and soul music. “Funkify” your soul with music from the likes of the Meters, John Scofield, the Yellow Jackets, Snarky Puppy, and more.
New Orleans: Explore the roots of jazz through group interaction and solo improvisation in this ensemble that focuses on second line and Dixieland traditions. Music from Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Sidney Bechet, and others will have you groovin’ to the second-line parade.

The Brass Workshop offers participants the opportunity to study with internationally renowned teachers with proven track records—those who have not only won their own prestigious awards, but who have taught students that went on to enjoy flourishing careers. The Brass Workshop faculty includes Larry Isaacson, John Faieta, Steve Emery, Joe Foley, Eli Epstein, Norman Bolter, Angel Subero, Ken Amis, Jeff Stout, Charlie Lewis, Phil Grenadier, and Billy Buss.

Schedule

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

Time	Event
8 AM–9 AM	Breakfast
9:15 AM–10:15 AM	Studio Classes by Instrument (Low Brass, Trumpet, and French Horn)
10:30 AM–12:00 PM	Ensembles
12:15 PM–1:15 PM	Lunch
1:30 PM–2:45 PM	Ensembles
3 PM–3:45 PM	Classical or Contemporary Elective
4 PM–4:45 PM	Classical or Contemporary Elective
5 PM–6:45 PM	Dinner and Practice Time
7 PM–10:15 PM	Faculty Recitals, Electives, and Jam Sessions

Schedule subject to change.

Performance Opportunities

Students will participate in one of the following ensembles during the week:

Large Classical Brass Ensemble
Small Classical Brass Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble
Funk Ensemble
New Orleans Ensemble

Requirements

General Requirements

All students 15 and older with six months of playing experience 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

Your instrument and any necessary accessories
Mutes: for classical players, a straight mute; for contemporary players, a plunger
Tuner and metronome (possibly on your phone)
Notebook
Pencil
Concert attire: a pair of black or khaki long pants and a colorful, short-sleeved shirt; or a colorful dress

Program-Specific Details

Placement

After completing your registration, you will be prompted to submit a video link of a solo performance. These links are reviewed by the faculty to place students into the appropriate level classes before arriving to the program. Professional video quality is not required, but your performance should demonstrate your personal best.

Program Directors

Russell “Billy” Buss

Class of 2009

Assistant Professor

Billy Buss is an award-winning trumpet player, composer, producer, and educator. He has been recognized by DownBeat magazine, the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts, and the White House (as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts).
Matt Wan

Angel Subero

Assistant Professor

"I want my students feeling confident in themselves and their abilities. I strive to give them the tools they need to tackle the challenges that they will face in the modern music industry."

Visiting Artist

Marshall Gilkes

Marshall Gilkes is a world-renowned trombonist, composer, and educator known for his commanding technique, warm tone, and versatility across jazz and classical music. A Grammy-nominated artist, he has released eight acclaimed albums and performed with top ensembles, including the Maria Schneider Orchestra, WDR Big Band, and Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. As an educator, he has taught at Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and New England Conservatory, and shared his expertise through master classes and clinics worldwide.

Once You've Enrolled

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?

Important: continually check the email you used to enroll

Please regularly check the email you used to enroll in your program for important updates. A detailed check-in email, containing information about your assigned arrival location, housing assignment (if applicable), and program schedule, will be sent one to two weeks before your program's start date.

Request on-campus housing

On-campus housing is limited, and spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis based on the completion of the following steps:

Read, sign, and submit the residence hall agreement on the registration portal.
The Summer Programs team will review your signed residence hall agreement within 3-5 business days. After review, we will send you an email inviting you to return to the registration portal to view your on-campus housing decision letter.
If your request has been approved, secure your spot by accepting your offer and paying the housing fee in full.

Important Considerations

For students enrolled in multiple programs, please complete a separate residence hall agreement (along with the accompanying housing fee payment) for each program.
To be eligible to request on-campus housing, a student must be 15 years of age before the start of their program.
If a student is under the age of 18, the request for on-campus housing must be filled out by a parent/guardian, and both the student and parent/guardian must agree to all the terms and conditions.
Applicants for Musical Theater Acting Intensive (MTAI) and Vocal/Choral Intensive (VCI) must first be offered admission and accept their offer before their residence hall agreement submission will be considered.
Since space in our residence halls is limited, a spot in our residence halls will only be guaranteed once a student has fully registered for their chosen program and paid the program tuition in full. Any housing requests or payments made before the completion of both these steps do not ensure a guaranteed place in on-campus housing.

Learn more about housing and campus life by exploring the Help Center.

Request accessibility accommodations (if needed)

Accommodations are provided for students with documented medical needs, offering services such as academic accommodations, academic coaching, special housing arrangements, dietary adjustments, and referrals to on-campus support, including adaptive technology and tutoring.

Accommodations are determined through an interactive process involving the student, faculty, the Office of Housing and Residential Education, a dietitian, and Accessibility Resources for Students staff. Requests for academic, housing, and dietary accommodations can be made by following the steps outlined in this Help Center article.

Complete These Tasks by June

Complete the items in your Magnus Health account by June 1

We require up-to-date health information, documentation for the required immunizations mandated by Massachusetts law, as well as conduct and consent forms for all students. Instructions on accessing your Magnus Health account will be sent via email to all registered students in mid-spring.

If you have more questions you can review our help center. Here are some articles that might be helpful:

Submit a photo for your ID by June 1

Students participating in a Boston-based Summer Program will receive an ID card upon arrival at Berklee. This card provides access to campus facilities and, if you have chosen to reside in our residence halls, it also allows entry to the dining hall. Please submit a photo for your ID by June 1. If you do not upload a photo, one will be taken upon your arrival on campus.

Submit placement videos

To ensure accurate class placement, we request that you create a brief video showcasing your talent. Please refer to the class placement submission form for requirements and expectations. Videos must be submitted at least two weeks before your program's start date. Late submissions may not be reviewed, potentially resulting in placement at a level that does not align with your ability. Log into the registration portal and click on the Next Steps tab to submit your placement video.

Prepare to Arrive and Check In

What to pack if you’re staying on campus

All of our on-campus residence halls follow a standard college-style layout, with each room equipped with a closet, bed, and desk for each resident.

Students staying in a Berklee residence hall should bring the following items:

Bedding (sheets, pillow, pillowcase, blanket) for an extra-long twin bed (36 inches by 80 inches)
Towels (bath towels, washcloths, hand towels, etc.)
Toiletries

We also recommend bringing the following:

Alarm clock
Clothes hangers
Earplugs
Extra spending money for snacks, drinks, or public transportation (costs for Berklee-coordinated events will be covered by the school; students are responsible for additional expenses during events)
Headphones
Laptop computer, tablet device, cell phone, etc., including chargers
Laundry detergent and quarters (coin-based laundry facilities available in every residence hall, although we recommend bringing quarters)
Plastic bin for storing snacks or food
Prescription/first-aid needs
Small refrigerator
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Umbrella
Water bottle
A fan

Items available upon request from the resident advisor's office:

Basic cleaning supplies
Games
Movies
Toilet paper (for private bathrooms)
Vacuum cleaners

The following items are not allowed in a student’s residence hall room:

Candles/incense
Weapons
Cooking appliances (hot pots, toaster ovens, grills, popcorn makers, or anything with a visible heating element, etc.)
Air conditioners
Bicycles
Futons, chairs, couches, or any other non-Berklee-issued furniture
Wall hangings
Pets (including fish)
Halogen lamps and holiday lights

Download the Guidebook app

A few days before your program starts, you will receive instructions to download the Guidebook app. This app enables you to access your program schedule and connect with fellow Summer Programs students.

Getting to campus, parking, and hotels nearby

Access the Summer Programs Help Center

Explore some of these top articles from the Summer Programs Help Center.