Mon, May 13
On Sunday, May 19, at 2 p.m. in NEC’s historic Jordan Hall, more than 200 graduating students will receive their diplomas following remarks from Commencement Speaker Paul Simon, Alumni Speaker Lina Gonzáles-Granados ’14 MM, ’15 GD, and Student Speaker June Chung ’24 MM; honorary degree conferments upon Simon, Dawn Upshaw, and Robert Spano; and performances from a New Orleans-style jazz ensemble and a CMA folk ensemble.
Mon, April 22
In faculty member Jill Gatlin's course Climate Change Culture and Performance Practicum, part of NEC's Integrative Curriculum, students gained an understanding of climate science, the sociology and geography of climate injustice, representations of climate change in art, and methods of engaging audiences across the arts — and this was just one-half of their coursework. They also acquired invaluable professional skills through the project-based Performance Practicum, in which they used their new knowledge to design, produce, market, and execute a live concert in collaboration with their peers titled
What Washes Over: Sounds of Climate Grief and Action.Wed, April 17
Tenor Josaphat Contreras ’22 MM has won a 2024-25 Fulbright-García Robles grant to study mariachi at the National Mariachi Conservatory in Mexico City. Contreras graduated from New England Conservatory with a Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy, where he was chosen as the commencement speaker for his graduating class of 2022.
Wed, April 17
New England Conservatory is delighted to announce that three musical luminaries will receive honorary degrees during its 153rd Commencement exercises on May 19 in Jordan Hall. Songwriter, recording artist, and philanthropist Paul Simon, who will also be the featured speaker; five-time Grammy-winning soprano, educator, and MacArthur Fellow Dawn Upshaw; and conductor Robert Spano, a four-time Grammy winner who is Music Director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Laureate of the Atlanta Symphony after 20 seasons at the helm, and who has served as Music Director of the Aspen Music Festival and School since 2011, will all receive honorary Doctor of Music degrees.
Wed, April 10
In an insightful reflection, NEC voice faculty member J.J. Penna shared his reactions to March's Liederabend performance,
This is the Place - Voices of Exile and Exodus. Curated by Tanya Blaich and featuring NEC student vocalists and pianists, this Liederabend explored displacement through the voices of travelers, immigrants, and refugees across the ages.