It is not necessary to submit a professionally produced recording, but the sound quality should be very good. For video recordings, applicants should make sure that proper lighting is used and that the camera shows full range of movement and use of instrument.
Prescreening Recordings
All prescreening recordings should be submitted online through ArtsApp except those for Voice or Artist Diploma, which must be submitted via audio-only CD (see Voice paragraph below). Unless noted otherwise below, please submit an audio recording for prescreening. To use ArtsApp, go to http://artsapp.com/necmusic, set up a user account, and follow the step-by-step instructions. Please upload each piece as its own file. For technical support with your ArtsApp submission, contact support@artsapp.com.
Applicants to Composition and Jazz Composition programs are encouraged to submit their portfolios (scores and accompanying recordings) online at the ArtsApp website as PDF documents. For more information please visit the Composition and Jazz Studies pages in the Audition Requirements section of the website.
Applicants to Voice and Artist Diploma must submit an audio-only CD for the prescreening. CDs should be clearly labeled, both on the disc itself and cover, with the applicant name, intended degree, instrument or voice type, repertoire (including titles of pieces and composers), and recording date. Online prescreening submissions for Voice and Artist Diploma will not be reviewed.
As detailed in our Audition Requirements, prescreening recordings are required for applicants to the following programs who wish to be considered for a live audition:
- Composition (portfolio)
- Conducting (video required)
- Contemporary Improvisation
- Flute
- Jazz Composition
- Jazz Performance
- Percussion (video required)
- Piano
- Viola
- Violin
- Violoncello
- Vocal Pedagogy (Submit audio-only CD. Do not use ArtsApp.)
- Vocal Performance (Submit audio-only CD. Do not use ArtsApp.)
- Artist Diploma (Submit audio-only CD. Do not use ArtsApp.)
- Doctor of Musical Arts
Prescreening recordings are due on December 1. After review, qualified applicants will be invited to present a live audition at NEC. Recordings submitted after the December 1 deadline date will be reviewed at the discretion of the department. Please refer to the appropriate Audition Requirements section for your instrument/major to review repertoire requirements. Artist Diploma applicants should check the Artist Diploma requirements section.
Audition Recordings
Performance applicants who are not requesting, or required to perform, a live audition must send an audition recording by February 1. The recording should be video for all programs except piano; piano applicants should submit an audio-only recording. All audition recordings should be submitted online through ArtsApp. To use ArtsApp, go to http://artsapp.com/necmusic, set up a user account, and follow the step-by-step instructions. Please upload each piece as its own file. For technical support with your ArtsApp submission, contact support@artsapp.com.
Please note: The following applicants are required to present a live audition at NEC and are not eligible to submit an audition recording:
1) applicants from North America applying to:
- Contemporary Improvisation
- Double Bass
- Flute
- Guitar
- Jazz Composition
- Jazz Performance
- Piano
- Viola
- Violin
- Violoncello
- Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy
2) applicants in all remaining majors living within 500 miles of Boston;
3) applicants to the DMA, Artist Diploma, Collaborative Piano, Conducting, and Harvard/NEC Double-Degree programs, regardless of country of residence.
Audition recordings are due on February 1. (All other application and supporting materals are due on December 1.) Recordings received after this date will be reviewed at the discretion of the department. No recording will be reviewed without a completed application packet including the fee. Unless indicated, the audition requirements are identical to those for live auditions.
Applicants who plan to send an audition recording and will not be attending a live audition should not also send a prescreening recording.
2011-10-18
VIRGIL THOMSON