Course Offerings

NEC Prep offers many opportunities for students to learn and grow as musicians, no matter their experience level.

Explore our 2024-2025 course catalog below to see what is available this academic year. You can also download a PDF copy of the catalog here.

Private Lessons

Private lessons of 30, 45, and 60 minutes are offered for students of all levels (including beginners!). A unique feature of our private lesson program is that it includes the opportunity to participate in our certificate program, workshops and recitals, performance evaluations, and an annual concerto competition, which gives every student valuable performance experience and feedback from a variety of teachers.

Instruments:

Brass Instruments: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba
Composition
Guitar (Classical)
Harp
Improvisation/Theory
Notation: Songwriting, Arranging, Composition, Computer Music Notation, Digital Audio Production
Percussion: Drums, Vibraphone, Marimba, Hand Percussion
Piano
String Instruments: Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Suzuki
Strummed Instruments: Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin
Theory
Voice
Woodwind Instruments: Flute, Piccolo, Oboe, English Horn, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Recorder, Harmonica

Certificate Program

The Certificate Program offers an ambitious, sequential progression of learning. Through the Certificate Program, students are challenged to achieve their optimum performance skills, competence in music theory, and a knowledge of the literature that includes choral, orchestral, and chamber, as well as solo repertoire. The granting of a certificate acknowledges significant achievement in the full range of Prep School activities, under the instruction of at least three different faculty members. The general program and the range of faculty are sufficiently broad to accommodate students of varied outlook, proficiency, and professional intent.

Departments offering certification are Strings, Winds, Brass, Percussion, Piano, Composition, Theory, Jazz, Voice, and Early Music.

More information about the certificate program can be found here.

Workshops and Recitals

The Prep School workshop/recital system offers students valuable performance experience and a wide range of viewpoints through direct feedback from various faculty. Students are recommended for workshops and signed up by their private teacher. After completion of the workshop, feedback made by another member of the faculty is distributed to the student’s private teacher. Students performing in workshops are eligible to play in a departmental recital the following week scheduled at the same time as their workshop. Students must be registered for at least 30 lessons per academic year with an NEC faculty member in order to participate in the string workshop/recital program.

Evaluations

All students enrolled at NEC Prep receive feedback through an evaluation process. These include a progress report in mid-January and a final evaluation at the end of the year. These evaluations are a valuable tool in preparing students for future auditions and is a required part of our private instruction program.

For classical departments, there are two different types of evaluations and students may take either at the recommendation of their teacher:

General Evaluations (GE) provide an assessment of progress and achievement by a panel of at least two faculty members other than the student’s own teacher.
Performance Level Evaluations (PLE) are rigorous achievement levels required for the certificate program.

For the jazz department, students perform with an ensemble for their end-of-year evaluation and receive verbal (audio) feedback from faculty members.

Concerto Competition

The NEC Prep School Concerto Competition is held annually and open to all ages and instruments. Several prizes are awarded in each category and the winner performs with one of the orchestras. Students are selected to participate by faculty recommendation. Students must be enrolled in a certain number of private lessons through the Prep School to be eligible to compete. More specific information can be found in the Guidelines and Rules that are shared each year prior to the competition.

Large Ensembles

ORCHESTRAS

Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO)

Founded in 1962, the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO) is the senior-most orchestra at New England Conservatory’s Preparatory School. It is composed of 90 gifted young musicians between the ages of 14–18, who are selected annually from over 1000 applicants. Praising “the highly talented teenagers who fill the ranks of the YPO,” and their “expressively charged and technically accomplished performances,” Boston Globe music critic Jeremy Eichler has written: “One of the special pleasures of hearing a youth orchestra comes from knowing that many of its members have been encountering the music, even a cornerstone of the repertory like the Brahms [Fourth Symphony], for the very first time. As a result, the playing can sometimes brim with the visceral thrill of discovery. That was the case here.”

YPO tours biannually with trips that span all corners of the globe. Most recently, YPO embarked on a 10-day tour of Prague, Bratislava, and Budapest in June 2019. Stay tuned for more details on a YPO tour in June 2025!

2024-25 will featured a new YPO conductor and Director of Orchestras

Rehearsals - Saturday, 3:15-6:00 pm

Youth Symphony (YS)

NEC Prep’s Youth Symphony (YS) is composed of advanced young musicians, most between the ages of 13 and 18. Members are selected from hundreds of applicants through annual auditions. YS is open to advanced pre-college strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and harp players.

As one of NEC's senior Prep School ensembles, students partake in orchestral tours internationally every two years. YS will travel to Greece in June 2024 on a 9-day performance tour, performing in Thessaloniki, Larissa, and Athens.

Steven Karidoyanes, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 3:15-6:00 pm

String Chamber Orchestra (SCO)

String Chamber Orchestra (SCO) is open by audition to upper level pre-college string students interested in an intensive, larger chamber music setting. Repertoire is chosen from the wealth of glorious Serenades and character pieces written for string orchestra, such as the Tchaikovsky String Serenade and the Holberg Suite by Edvard Grieg. Members develop advanced ensemble skills and a group confidence performing in various venues on campus, including Jordan Hall, the Black Box Theatre and even the Green Cafeteria. Most students enjoy playing in the chamber orchestra along with their participation in a full orchestra. Seating in the chamber orchestra is on a rotating basis to offer a more complete experience for everyone in the group.

Peter Jarvis, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Youth Repertory Orchestra (YRO)

Youth Repertory Orchestra (YRO) is open by audition to upper intermediate pre-college string, woodwind, brass, percussion, and harp. Students placed in YRO are expected to be able to play with solid intonation and good tone quality, a variety of dynamics, and are comfortable carrying their part independently while blending with the ensemble. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of YRO are in grades 8-12.

Cynthia Woods, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 12:30-3:00 pm

Junior Repertory Orchestra (JRO)

Junior Repertory Orchestra (JRO) is open to intermediate pre-college strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and harp. JRO is the entry level full-orchestra ensemble for NEC Prep. To be placed in JRO, students generally play with fluidity, have a developed vibrato, and are comfortable playing three-octave scales and arpeggios. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of JRO are in grades 7-10.

Adam Grossman, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 1:00-2:30 pm

String Repertory Orchestra (SRO)

String Repertory Orchestra (SRO) is open by audition to intermediate string players. Students placed in SRO play with fluency and clarity and are comfortable playing three-octave scales. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of SRO are in grades 7-10.

Cynthia Woods, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 10:30 am-12:00 pm

Preparatory String Orchestras (PSO)

PSO 10:30 is open to more advanced early intermediate string players. Students placed in PSO are comfortable shifting and playing fast passage work and able to play with a solid, confident tone that is generally well in tune. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of PSO are in grades 6-9.

PSO 8:30 is open to early intermediate string players. Students placed in PSO are comfortable shifting and playing fast passage work and able to play with a solid, confident tone that is generally well in tune. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of PSO are in grades 5-8.

Marta Zurad, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 8:30-10:00 am, 10:30 am-12:00 pm

String Training Orchestras (STO)

STO 8:00 is open by audition to advanced beginner string players. Students placed in this orchestra have mastered basic technical aspects of playing the instrument, can read music proficiently, are comfortable in some upper positions, and have often had previous ensemble experience. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of STO 8:00 are in grades 4-7.

STO 9:00 is open by audition to beginning string players. Students placed in this orchestra have mastered basic technical aspects of the instrument, can read music, and have generally studied their instrument for at least 2-3 years. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of STO 9:00 are in grades 3-5.

Peter Jarvis, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 8:00-9:00 am, 9:00-10:00 am

WIND ENSEMBLES

Senior Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble (Sr. MYWE)

The Senior Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble (Sr. MYWE) is open to advanced high school-age (grades 10-12) woodwind, brass, percussion, harp, double bass, and piano players. Auditions are generally at the level of All-State auditions. This is the senior level wind ensemble at NEC Prep and is a touring ensemble. Sr. MYWE toured to Ireland in 2014, Czech Republic in 2016, and France in 2020. In February 2024, members of both Sr. MYWE and MYWE CB traveled to Spain with performances in Barcelona, Valencia, and Granada.

Michael Mucci, Director

Allison Lacasse, Assistant Director

Rehearsals - Friday, 4:15-6:15 PM (before Thanksgiving), 4:30-7:00 PM (after Thanksgiving)

Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble Concert Band (MYWE CB)

MYWE Concert Band is open by audition to high school-age (grades 10-12) students. The music chosen for this ensemble represents a balance of traditional and contemporary concert band repertoire that will meet the needs of students who aspire to advance their musical skills to a level at which they can achieve their goals. In February 2024, members of both Sr. MYWE and MYWE CB traveled to Spain with performances in Barcelona, Valencia, and Granada.

Alfred Dentino, Director

Allison Lacasse, Assistant Director

Rehearsals - Friday, 4:15-6:15 PM (before Thanksgiving), 4:30-7:00 PM (after Thanksgiving)

Junior Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble (JR MYWE)

This wind ensemble at NEC Prep is open to junior high school-age (grades 6-9) woodwind, brass, and percussionists. Auditions are generally at the level of Jr. District auditions.

Jared Cassedy, Director

Allison Lacasse, Assistant Director

Rehearsals - Friday, 4:15-6:15 PM (before Thanksgiving), 4:30-7:00 PM (after Thanksgiving)

CHOIRS

Youth Chorale

NEC Prep’s Youth Chorale is a highly celebrated mixed chorus for advanced singers in grades 9-12. This ensemble performs in NEC's Jordan Hall and other regional venues. In recent years the choir has shared the stage with the NEC Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and Youth Symphony, as well as the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra. Composed of students from the greater Boston area and beyond, Youth Chorale offers singers the opportunity to experience and perform masterworks and octavo selections of the choral repertoire at an exceptionally high level.

Erica Washburn, Director

Rehearsals - Thursday, 6:00-7:45 pm

Tourjée Singers

The Tourjée Singers is an ensemble open to singers Grades 7-9 with treble voices, by placement audition. Rehearsal instruction in Tourjée Singers emphasizes healthy vocal technique for changing and maturing voices, musicianship, ear-training through solfege and Takadimi rhythm syllables, as well as notation and score-reading skills. Students typically sing advanced 2-part, 3-part, & 4-part repertoire in a variety of styles and languages, and perform at least two concerts per year.

Laura Nevitt, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 1:00-2:30 pm

Chamber Chorus

The Chamber Chorus is an ensemble open to singers Grades 4-6 by placement audition. Rehearsal instruction in Chamber Chorus emphasizes healthy vocal technique for developing voices, musicianship, ear-training through solfege and Takadimi rhythm syllables, as well as notation and score-reading skills. Students typically sing advanced unison, 2-part, & 3-part repertoire in a variety of styles and languages, and perform at least two concerts per year.

Laura Nevitt, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Children's Chorus

The Children’s Chorus is an ensemble open to singers Grades 2-4 by placement audition. Rehearsal instruction in Children's Chorus emphasizes healthy vocal technique for developing voices, musicianship, ear-training through solfege and Gordon rhythm syllables, as well as notation and score-reading skills. Students typically sing unison, 2-part, & 3-part repertoire in a variety of styles and languages, and perform two concerts per year.

Laura Nevitt, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 10:00-10:45 am

Preparatory Chorus

The Preparatory chorus is an ensemble open to singers pre-K to grade 1 (ages 4-7) by placement audition. Rehearsal instruction in Preparatory Chorus emphasizes healthy vocal technique for developing voices, musicianship, ear-training through solfege and Gordon rhythm syllables, as well as beginning notation, score-reading skills, and playing simple rhythm instruments. Students typically sing unison repertoire in a variety of styles and languages, with an emphasis on folk songs, and perform two concerts per year.

Laura Nevitt, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 9:00-9:45 am

EARLY MUSIC LARGE ENSEMBLES

Baroque Chamber Orchestra (BCO)

Open by audition to upper intermediate players. Students in BCO generally play with good intonation, a variety of bow strokes and dynamics, and are comfortable playing complete concertos from the baroque and classical periods. While Orchestra assignments are made by level, not age, most members are in grades 6-12.

BCO specializes in virtuoso music from the Baroque period (1600-1750) and features the works of Vivaldi, Bach, Corelli, Telemann, and Marcello among others. BCO also participates in several masterclasses with renowned guest artists who specialize in Baroque music. Prior guest artists have included Martin Pearlman of Boston Baroque, violinist Christopher Verrette of Tafelmusik, cellist Phoebe Carrai, harpsichordist Kenneth Cooper, violist Joan Ellersick, and cellist Dan Ryan of Musicians of the Old Post Road. Additionally, members of this group are able to audition to perform a Baroque concerto with the orchestra. While orchestra assignments are made by level, not age, most members are in grades 7-12.

Aldo Abreu, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 8:00-10:00 am

Friday Baroque Ensemble (FBE)

This small ensemble is open by audition to intermediate string and wind players. Students placed in FBE are generally comfortable shifting and playing fast passage-work. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of FBE are in grades 7-12.

This ensemble specializes in repertoire from the Baroque period, including works by Handel, Purcell, Scheidt and Boyce.

Aldo Abreu, Director

Rehearsals - Friday, 6:30-8:30 pm

ADDITIONAL LARGE ENSEMBLES

Youth Jazz Orchestra (YJO)

See Jazz

Youth Brass Ensemble (YBE)

See Brass

Strings Chamber Music

NEC Prep offers chamber ensembles for string, woodwind, brass, and piano players ages 8-18. Chamber music at NEC connects young musicians together based on the common interest of their love of music and is an excellent complement to instrumental education alongside private lessons and large ensembles.

Playing chamber music is a great way to meet fellow musicians and make new friends. Some NEC Prep chamber groups play together for years. Students will develop their skills through artistic exploration, creativity, and artistic expression. Students have the opportunity to:

Share musical opinions and ways to interpret their scores. Motivated by their peers, they mature into deeper levels of musicianship.
Develop sensitive listening while playing
Develop practice and rehearsal techniques

Each group is coached by a highly experienced teacher and performer who has a passion for chamber music and loves to work with young musicians. Groups are determined by age, ability, and instrumentation. Each ensemble receives coachings throughout the full academic year, participates in two end-of-semester workshops, and performs in the Chamber Music Festival at the end of each semester. Student groups may also have the opportunity to play in and attend master classes given by distinguished chamber music faculty from the NEC college and outstanding visiting chamber music artists.

Guitar and Harp

Harp Ensemble

Harp Ensemble will explore different repertoire from original harp ensemble music to transcriptions, baroque to contemporary music. Students will learn how to precisely listen to each other, connect to each other musically and how to work as a group. The focus will be one pedal harps. Lever harps are welcome, but would need to bring their instruments. Parts will be tailored to the level of the student as much as possible and cooperation with the private teacher will be highly encouraged.Students must have studied harp privately for at least one year.

Franziska Huhn, Instructor

Saturday, 10:00-11:00 am

Piano

Piano Chamber Music

See chamber music description

Piano Seminars

NEC Prep’s Piano Seminars offer spaces for pianists to interact in a group setting to learn and perform together. Students develop their skills through frequent recitals, special projects, guest speakers, and master classes within each level offered.

Junior Piano Seminar I and II

Open by audition to piano students. The students in this seminar are typically 9-12 years old. Emphasis on technical development and development of good practice habits, musical literacy, reading skills, and practical memorization skills. The year-long course includes frequent in-class performances, master classes, and one class recital per semester.

Angel Ramón Rivera and Konstantinos Papadakis, Instructors

Saturday, 1:00-2:00 pm

Intermediate Piano Seminar I

Open by audition to intermediate piano students. Most students in the seminar are ages 10-13. A weekly program of masterclasses, lectures, guest speakers, and arts events of interest provide this age group with the opportunity for activities and discussions appropriate to their musical development. Special performance projects are an integral part of the curriculum. At least one recital per semester.

Konstantinos Papadakis, Instructor

Saturday, 2:00-3:00 pm

Angel Ramón Rivera Intermediate Piano Seminar II

Angel Ramón Rivera, Instructor

Saturday, 2:00-3:00 pm

Angel Ramón Rivera Senior Piano Seminar

Open by audition to advanced piano students. The seminar is designed to enrich existing keyboard knowledge and performance skills. The class includes guest performers and speakers each week in related arts fields (poetry, graphic arts, other instrumental disciplines) in addition to guest keyboard artists and participating members of the Prep School piano faculty. The format includes masterclasses, lectures, and discussions. Public performances include group recitals and participation in the Festival of Contemporary Music. This course is required for Level IV Certificate piano students.

Angel Ramón Rivera, Instructor

Saturday, 3:00-4:30 pm

Sightreading for Pianists

To sight read means to look at a piece for the first time, and play it through without stopping. It is a skill that can be improved with practice. In this class, students will be presented with new pieces each week to analyze and learn. Emphasis will be placed on reading ahead, internalizing the rhythm, being aware of other parts (for ensemble pieces), and choosing which notes are most important. Students will be tested on scales, arpeggios, chords, and analytic musical terms. Interested students should be fully comfortable reading the grand staff, and have studied (or will be studying this year) Music Theory II or above. Students should be playing repertoire at PLE II or above. This is a one-semester class, and is a requirement for Certificate Level II in Piano. Audition is required.

Andrew Goodridge, Instructor

Saturday, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Offered Fall and Spring as a one-semester course

Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar (CHIPS)

For students with a strong interest in chamber music, NEC Prep is excited to offer the Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar (CHIPS). CHIPS offers advanced students an in-depth chamber music immersion experience, with an emphasis on enhancing chamber music skills and performance practice at a high artistic level. Led by faculty member Laura Blustein, accepted students will be placed into a string quartet or piano trio and assigned repertoire to study over the year. The CHIPS program is open to violinists, violists, cellists, and pianists ages 13-18.

CHIPS groups will have the opportunity to perform in recitals at NEC and in the community, as well as potential international performance opportunities. The program will include several special guest artist masterclasses during the year; visiting guests have included Miriam Fried, Vivian Weilerstein, and Don Weilerstein, among others.

Woodwinds

Honors Woodwind Quintet

Advanced woodwind students are selected based on their audition results. Students must be enrolled in an NEC Prep large ensemble in order to qualify. Accepted students will receive a 50% scholarship.

Gregory Newton, Instructor

Saturday, 1:00-2:00 pm

Clarinet Ensemble

The Clarinet Ensemble at NEC Prep offers clarinetists a unique opportunity to explore the diverse repertoire of chamber music written specifically for clarinet ensemble and other music that will ultimately prepare students for success in NEC Prep’s large ensembles. Through rehearsals, performances, and collaborations with other musicians, students develop their ensemble skills, refine their technique, and delve into various musical styles. The course culminates in a public performance, showcasing the students' accomplishments and passion for clarinet ensemble music. There is no audition required as well as no minimum age for participation.

Kai-Yun Lu, Instructor

Saturday, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Saxophone Ensemble(s)

Saxophone Ensembles are meticulously curated and directed by renowned saxophonist Ken Radnofsky. This ensemble offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance ensemble playing techniques, refine individual musicality, and explore a rich and varied repertoire. Participants will benefit from Mr. Radnofsky's extensive expertise and guidance, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of saxophone ensemble music. Students are expected to participate in festival concerts each semester.

Kenneth Radnofsky, Instructor

Saturday, 11:00 am-12:00 pm, 12:00-1:00 pm

Woodwind Chamber Music

NEC Prep offers chamber music coaching of ensembles of all levels and ages. Groups will be determined by age, ability, and instrumentation. Each will receive 28 coaching sessions and two end-of-semester workshops. Students are expected to participate in festival concerts each semester. For more information or interest, please contact prep@necmusic.edu to be in contact with the Woodwind Department Chair.

Oboe Reed-Making Class

This course covers beginning and intermediate oboe reed making from cane selection, shaping, and tying, to the proper scraping and balancing of reeds. Students provide their own reed tools and cane.

John Ferrillo and Amanda Hardy, Instructors

Saturday, 12:00-1:00 pm

Brass

Youth Brass Ensemble (YBE)

Learn ensemble playing from Cleveland Orchestra veteran and brass pedagogue, Eli Epstein. With his upbeat, positive approach to music making, Mr. Epstein provides experiences that promote high levels of musicianship, enhance brass playing technique, develop listening skills, encourage emotional expression and address interpersonal and performance issues. This fun, energizing ensemble experience is open by audition to high school and middle school brass players.

Eli Epstein, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 9:30-11:00 am

Honors Brass Quintet

Advanced brass students are selected based on their audition results. Students must be enrolled in an NEC Prep large ensemble in order to qualify. Accepted students will receive a 50% scholarship.

Eli Epstein, Coordinator

Members of the Brass Faculty Quintet, Instructors (rotating)

Saturday, 1:00-2:00 pm

Brass Chamber Music

Percussion

Find out how you can grow as a percussionist at NEC Prep! In our percussion department, young players find new friends and reach new levels of musicianship through large ensembles and private lessons.

Private instruction is the foundation of a sound musical education. At NEC Prep, the depth and expertise of our faculty assure a great match for our students' individual needs. Private lessons of 30, 45, and 60 minutes are offered for students of all levels. For more information or interest, we encourage you to apply on our website or please contact prep@necmusic.edu to be in contact with a percussion faculty member.

Voice

Choirs

See Large Ensembles

Diction for Singers

Open to students ages 12–18, this full-year course provides singers with an introduction to the lyric diction skills necessary for polishing their performance in German, Italian, and French. It will include a study of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as well as practical application of the language skills toward singing performance.

Corey Gaudreau, Instructor

Saturday, 4:00-5:00 pm

Jazz

The NEC Prep Jazz program is one of the most comprehensive and largest pre-college jazz programs of its kind in the world. We welcome students from eight to eighteen years old at any level of experience, for any instrument and voice. NEC Prep not only prepares students at the highest level to enter into the most prestigious jazz colleges and competitions (Grammy™ Band, YoungArts, DownBeat Awards, Districts, All-States, etc.), but also introduces beginners to jazz with energetic, supportive instruction by world renowned faculty—many of whom are also teaching at the college level in the New England area.

Our program takes a global approach to jazz, integrating music from the United States and around the world, including bebop, funk, Bossa Nova, samba, Afro-Cuban, fusion, post-bop, free jazz, blues, swing, rock, New Orleans, as well as contemporary styles.

Youth Jazz Orchestra (YJO)

Youth Jazz Orchestra (YJO) debuted in September 2008 at NEC Prep. Since then, they have been recognized as one of the Prep School's premier large ensembles. YJO gives performances in both Jordan and Brown Hall. YJO is directed by celebrated jazz artist Bob Nieske, who is also a member of the New England Conservatory College Faculty. This ensemble is open by audition to advanced trumpet, trombone, saxophone, guitar, bass, percussion and piano players. While there are no specific age guidelines for this ensemble, most members of the Youth Jazz Orchestra are in grades 10-12.

Bob Nieske, Director

Jeffrey Leonard, Assistant Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 3:00-5:00 pm

Jazz Lessons

The NEC Prep Jazz program offers private lessons in Jazz and related styles for students from ages 8 to 18, and we accept all levels of experience. Lessons are for all instruments and voice as well as subjects like improvisation/theory, composition, songwriting, arranging, computer music notation, and digital audio production. Jazz private lesson teachers are assigned to students by the Jazz Department Chair and Assistant Chair after the placement meetings for new students.

Jazz Ensembles

NEC Prep Small Jazz ensembles consist of a coach and 3-5 students. The coach functions as a band member, bandleader, and arranger, so students are playing with a professional musician for each rehearsal and performance. Each ensemble has a drummer, a bassist, a chordal instrument (piano and/or guitar) and various melodic instruments (winds, brass, voice, strings, pitched percussion). These ensembles are meant to expose students to performing a wide variety of pieces in Jazz and related styles of music. The students are also encouraged to suggest pieces, compose and arrange for these ensembles if they are interested. Jazz students often play multiple instruments and sing, therefore NEC Prep encourages the option of playing in multiple ensembles.

Jazz Classes

NEC Prep Jazz offers a comprehensive a la carte classroom course program that includes three levels of both Jazz Ear Training of Jazz Theory, History of Jazz for all levels and ages, and a two-year Jazz Styles course that starts in 11th or 10th grade. Each classroom course meets weekly for an hour for twenty-eight meetings during the Fall/Spring semesters. Classroom courses at NEC Prep Jazz are designed in conjunction with the small Jazz ensemble program, where students perform Jazz and related music from the U.S. and around the world. The Jazz classroom courses are larger in size than the small Jazz ensembles and create the opportunity to meet Jazz students, create a sense of community and share musical inspiration.

History of Jazz

Jazz history is critical in giving students inspirational exposure to many recordings of Jazz and related music they have not heard, no matter what musical background they have. It helps them both broaden their options and define what styles and concepts matter to them. Although listening to music is the primary activity in this course, reading assignments and in-class performances are both incorporated, although it does not require too much homework time outside of the course. This year-long course is an overview of Jazz music, tracking its evolution from the music of the African diaspora to the many distinct sub-genres called "Jazz" up to the present day. Students will listen to and discuss music from the most influential musicians in Jazz history, explore the music of lesser-known, yet highly influential Jazz musicians, and investigate the ways in which Jazz has both influenced, and been influenced by other types of music, the world over. Not only will students complete the course with a stronger grasp of the context and inner-workings of Jazz music, but they will also develop stronger aural skills, which in turn, will support their own artistic growth.

Nicholas Grondin, Instructor

Saturday, 12:00-1:00 pm

Jazz Styles

This two-year class alternates material every other year and is designed for 11th and 12th grade students and sometimes 10th grade students. It requires some prior knowledge of theory and is required for Level III and IV of the Jazz Certificate Program. In this class, compositions will be analyzed from both the “big picture” (form, harmony, arrangement, melody and rhythm) and the “little picture” (articulation and methods of improvisation and embellishment). Many students in this class will perform together on Certificate Recitals, so recital preparation is discussed in this class, as well as college auditions. Class assignments will include improvisation, model composition and transcriptions and are scalable to the amount of time students can put into the course in a given week. Students deliver an in-class analytical presentation at the beginning and end of each school year on a subject of their choice that shows how they would compose, improvise, arrange and/or practice differently after their research.

Source material for the even numbered Fall school years has included artists associated with: Bebop, Harmonic/Thematic Free Improvisation, Standard Forms, Episodic Composition, Thematic Harmonic Composition/Improvisation, Fusion, Swing Ballad Composition, Post-Bop, Reharmonization and Jazz Influenced Pop. Source material for the odd numbered Fall school years includes artists associated with: modal music from Japan, classical improvisation traditions from North and South India, Blues, 1960s modal jazz, Modal/Free Hybrid Improv, Funk, Reggae, and Hip-Hop.

David Zoffer, Instructor

Saturday, 1:00-2:00 pm

Introduction to Jazz Ear Training

This year-long class is designed to give beginning and intermediate jazz students ear training, using musical vocabulary from the many different eras in jazz history. Students learn to identify basic intervals, chord sounds, and rhythms that are crucial building blocks in developing basic jazz aural skills. The class uses recorded source material, and there will be some simple transcription exercises. Designed to complement Jazz Theory I, this class ensures that students are familiar not only with the theoretical terminology and protocol of jazz, but that they also can aurally internalize (hear) and externalize (play and sing) jazz theory concepts.

Joel Yennior, Instructor

Saturday, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Intermediate Jazz Ear Training

This year-long class is designed for students who have a basic aural grasp of intervals, jazz forms, rhythms, and chords, but are not yet working with advanced jazz vocabulary.

Samantha Spear, Instructor

Saturday, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Advanced Jazz Ear Training

This class is designed for students working with sophisticated jazz aural vocabulary. It is required for students pursuing a Level IV Jazz Certificate.

Chase Morrin, Instructor

Saturday, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Jazz Theory I

This year-long class is an introduction to the principles used for analyzing jazz compositions and the vocabulary used by jazz musicians for compositional and improvisational development. Emphasis is on understanding common technical terms and also on learning to apply theoretical constructs to playing and/or singing in a performance setting. Recordings of well-known jazz pieces will be used to demonstrate theory concepts.

James Stewardson, Instructor

Saturday, 10:00-11:00 am

Jazz Theory II

This year-long class is a continuation and expansion of the analytic principles and vocabulary introduced in Jazz Theory I. Class topics can include dominant function, modal interchange, deceptive resolution, diminished chords and scales, and compound chords. Students listen to and analyze jazz standards from a variety of perspectives as improvisers, accompanists and composers. The result aims to educate the student on the inner-workings of this music, while empowering the student to adopt similar approaches in their own playing and composing.

Joel Yennior, Instructor

Saturday, 10:00-11:00 am

Jazz Theory III

This year-long advanced class, covers sophisticated jazz harmony and improvisation techniques, and is often taken by 12th grade or 11th grade students with several years of experience in Small Jazz Ensembles.

Nicholas Brust, Instructor

Saturday, 2:00-3:00 pm

Contemporary Musical Arts (CMA)

In the Contemporary Musical Arts (CMA) Department, students develop their musical creativity while immersing themselves in different improvisational traditions based in World Music and Contemporary Rock. CMA faculty teach the groundwork that students need in aural skills, vocal and instrumental technique, conceptual ideas, interdisciplinary collaborations - everything required to become a composer/performer/improviser of the 21st century. The CMA Department supports the individual voices of its students and invites them into a vibrant and supportive musical community to push the boundaries of genre and style to innovate and create.

CMA Lessons

CMA Ensembles

CMA ensembles consist of a coach and 3-5 students. The coach functions as a band member, bandleader, and arranger, so students are playing with a professional musician for each rehearsal and performance. Each ensemble has a drummer, a bassist, a chordal instrument (piano and/or guitar) and various melodic instruments (winds, brass, voice, strings, pitched percussion). Students are also encouraged to suggest pieces, compose and arrange for these ensembles if they are interested.
For more information or interest, we encourage you to apply on our website or please contact prep@necmusic.edu to be in contact with the CMA Department Chair.

Early Music

Early Music Chamber Groups

For chamber music groups in the Baroque department, students learn Baroque techniques and aesthetics as they play repertoire composed before 1750 while playing on modern instruments. Baroque chamber ensembles are open to strings, woodwind, brass, and piano players:

Vivaldi Ensemble

Aldo Abreu, Instructor

Saturday, 10:00-11:00 am

Gabrieli Ensemble

Aldo Abreu, Instructor

Saturday, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Preparatory Baroque Ensemble

Aldo Abreu, Instructor

Saturday, 3:00-4:00 pm

Monteverdi Ensemble

Aldo Abreu, Instructor

Saturday, 4:00-5:00 pm

Music Theory

NEC Prep’s dynamic Music Theory department combines theory and practice. For younger students at earlier levels, theory studies reinforce critical musicianship skills that they encounter in their private lessons: scales, intervals, key signatures, chords, notated rhythms, and note reading in multiple clefs. Students advancing through the upper levels of theory studies learn how to write tonal music using common practice harmony and counterpoint rules. Through analytical work, they interpret complete pieces that inform their performances of their own lesson repertoire. Students who successfully complete the upper level music theory courses perform well on the AP Music Theory Exam and often place out of the first year of conservatory/collegiate music theory and musicianship requirements, allowing them to focus on more advanced music theory studies and other musical electives.

Music Theory Level I

Focusing on mastering the fundamentals of reading and hearing, analysis, and writing, the first level of music theory directly supports beginning instrumental study. Mastery of the skills and concepts in Level I result in fluency in the following areas: reading of treble and bass clefs; key signatures; interval content of major and minor scales; relative minor and relative major scale relationships; conducting beat patterns of 2, 3, and 4 while singing; division of the beat into 2, 3, and 4 parts; tonic and dominant chords in all major and minor keys. Writing and composition assignments build on students' growing mastery of theoretical concepts, music reading, and ear training skills. Analysis work, whenever possible and appropriate, is based on pieces students are studying in their lessons.

Ian Wiese, Instructor | Saturday, 9:00-10:00 am

Michael Weinstein, Instructor | Saturday, 10:00-11:00 am

Music Theory Level II

Music Theory Level II builds upon the skills, activities, and concepts of Level I. Students continue to develop their reading skills with more challenging melodies in treble and bass clefs and extend the scope of their literacy by learning to read alto clef. Classes in Level II stress the skills and concepts required to quickly identify, recognize, and perform the following: intervals; qualities and functions of triads within a key; fundamentals of figured bass including root position, inversions, and dominant seventh chords; non-harmonic tones, including: passing tones, neighbor tones, suspensions; cadences, including authentic, half, and deceptive; and modulation. Whenever appropriate, analysis work is based on pieces students are studying in their lessons.

Prerequisite: Completion of Music Theory Level I-1 and Level I-2

Stephen Savage, Instructor | Saturday, 9:00-10:00 am

Margaret McAllister, Instructor | Saturday, 9:00-10:00 am

Ian Wiese, Instructor | Saturday, 10:00-11:00 am

Music Theory for Teens Level I

See below for Music Theory Level I course description. Theory for Teens covers the same material as Level I and Level II, but in one year instead of the two years needed for younger students.

Stephen Savage, Instructor | Thursday, 6:00-7:00 pm (Remote - offered via Zoom)

Margaret McAllister, Instructor | Saturday, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Music Theory for Teens Level II

See below for Music Theory Level II course description. Theory for Teens covers the same material as Level I and Level II, but in one year instead of the two years needed for younger students.

Ian Wiese, Instructor | Saturday, 1:00-2:00 pm

Stephen Savage, Instructor | Thursday, 5:00-6:00 PM (Remote - offered via Zoom)

Music Theory Level III–1: Solfège

This course is devoted to developing a high level of reading skill through the use of fixed-do solmization. Emphasis is placed on fluent sight-reading in three clefs: treble, bass, and alto. Appropriate harmonic, melodic and rhythmic dictation will be given weekly as well as prepared performances from the course texts.

Prerequisite: Completion of Music Theory Level II-2

Ian Wiese, Instructor

Saturday, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Music Theory Level III–2: Harmony

This course focuses on part writing and figured-bass realization. Harmonic progressions and voice-leading are practiced through four-part (SATB) realizations of figured basses. Students will realize figured-bass lines at the piano and be introduced to common harmonic progressions. Harmonic vocabulary includes triads in root position, inversions, seventh chords, diatonic modulations, secondary dominants, mode mixture, augmented sixths, and the Neapolitan chord. Fundamentals of species counterpoint are introduced. Singing and harmonic dictation will develop and reinforce aural skills.

Prerequisite: Completion of Music Theory Level II-2

Stephen Savage, Instructor

Thursday, 7:00-8:00 pm (Remote - offered via Zoom)

Saturday, 10:00-11:00 am

Music Theory Level IV–1: Interpretive Analysis

This course provides opportunities for students to practice a variety of analytical approaches to the problems of interpretation. The class focuses on specific compositions by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. Lectures are supported by appropriate readings. Different recorded performances of single works are compared and critiqued.

Prerequisites: Completion of Performance Level Evaluation III, Proficiency in Roman numeral analysis, principles of two-and three-voice species counterpoint, and figured bass realization. Completion of Music Theory Level III-2

Margaret McAllister, Instructor

Saturday, 10:00-11:00 am

Music Theory Level IV–2: Advanced Solfège and Score Reading

This course integrates advanced musicianship studies with an investigation of 20th-century musical materials. Students sing atonal melodies and dictation in two and more parts. Fluency in five clefs (treble, bass, alto, tenor, and soprano) is demonstrated through performance of Bach chorales in open score and sight-transposition of orchestral scores. Rhythmic notation and polyrhythms are also featured.

Prerequisites: Completion of Music Theory Level III-1

Michael Weinstein, Instructor

Saturday, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

AP Music Theory

The online AP theory music course is designed for students preparing to take the AP theory exam in May, 2024. The course will cover major and minor scales/key relationships, intervals, triads and seventh chords and their inversions, four part voice leading, form and analysis, and ear training exercises. Students will ideally have completed NEC Prep Level 1 and Level 2 theory courses or the equivalent.

Michael Weinstein, Instructor

Tuesday, 5:00-6:00 pm (Remote - offered via Zoom)

Composition

The Composition Department offers students a variety of ways to explore their interests in music composition. Composition classes do not have a music theory prerequisite, as they aim to meet the student at their level of interest and expertise. Private instruction is also available for students looking for more individual attention, and student composers interested in an organized, developed curriculum can participate in the Certificate Program.

Composition Seminar

Composition Seminar gives students the opportunity to develop technique in original composition. This class includes students from a large age range and develops the student's ability to think about composition in cooperation with their peers in serious ways and create a community of composers. Compositions are performed and discussed in class, and performances of student compositions are arranged at workshops and student composition recitals.

Rodney Lister, Instructor

Saturday, 10:00-11:00 am

Intro to Making Music with Computers

This class will give students an introduction to making music with computers. They will learn the basics of working with a DAW (digital audio workstation) so that they can begin creating their own music digitally. The class will also include basic instruction in using recording equipment such as audio interfaces, microphones and speakers. Additionally, students will be introduced to the basic theory, technical components, and physics of electronic music and sound, which will help to begin creating a solid foundation for further exploration of other audio tools and coding languages in the future.

Students will be exposed to music ranging from experimental, contemporary classical, dance, hip-hop, techno, pop, ambient, musique concrète, and noise. Musical examples will span the early 20th century to today. The students will spend time creating both music of a more experimental and free-flowing variety and also music that is beat-based and in a more popular idiom as well in various assignments. By the end of the class students are welcome to make music in whatever style they are inspired by or drawn to for their final project.

Aaron Michael Smith, Instructor

Saturday, 9:00-10:00 am

Early Childhood

At NEC Prep, our youngest musicians are as engaged and important as our most advanced students. Whether your child is exploring music for the first time or has developed an early interest, we make sure that they receive a great musical foundation and have a wonderful time doing it. Our world-class faculty members specialize in teaching beginners and know how to get our youngest students excited about music learning!

NEC Prep’s early childhood classes (ages 0-7) are excellent introductions to the joys of music-making in a group setting, and prepare students for future instrumental or choral study. In addition to the course listings below, the Suzuki and Choral Departments offer a rich variety of group classes, ensembles and private lessons for our youngest learners. Please see the Suzuki and Choral Departments for their complete list of offerings.

Music Discovery for Little Penguins

Music Discovery for Little Penguins is the perfect class for your child (ages 4-6) to explore their interests in singing, creative movement and instrument play in a joyful, experiential group setting. In this piano-accompanied class, students will sing songs and chants in a variety of tonalities and meters, in different languages and styles, with a focus on folk music from around the world. Singing will be supported by movement activities and games, and pitched and unpitched percussion instruments. Students will develop their vocal, social, and fine and gross motor skills while learning the foundations of musical literacy and ear-training through solfege and rhythm syllables. As your child reaches exciting, new musical milestones, this class will encourage active participation and self-expression, building a strong musical foundation for individual and ensemble music-making. Each semester will include special guest musicians from the NEC community, and will end in an informal performance to share with families the skills and songs they have learned. This after-school class complements Saturday programming, including Preparatory Chorus (pre-K to grade 1), Twinklegarten, and other offerings for early learners.

Laura Nevitt, Instructor

Wednesday, 4:00-4:45 pm, 5:00-5:45 pm

Offered Fall and Spring as a one-semester course

Musical Explorers

Embark on a musical journey with Musical Explorers, an elective course open to young musicians eager to experience NEC Prep's diverse programs. Over the course of a year, students in grades K-2 (with potential expansion) will delve into Orchestral Strings, Suzuki Brass, Jazz Woodwinds, Piano, CMA Ukulele and Percussion, and Voice, guided by NEC's esteemed faculty specializing in young learners. Supported by NEC Teaching Fellow Students and offered on scholarship or through regular enrollment, this exploration aims to introduce students to various disciplines, paving the way for further studies in Suzuki Private lessons, Private Brass Lessons, Jazz Woodwind Lessons, Piano, CMA, and Children's Chorus. This class will buzz with creativity as students refine their skills in preparation for open classes, inviting parents to witness their musical growth. With tailored support from teaching fellows, this program ensures inclusivity and personalized instruction, fostering a love for music from the very beginning.

Saturday, 2:00-3:00 pm

The early childhood offerings below are cross-listed from Suzuki and Choir Departments:

Suzuki Early Childhood Education

Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) is for infants and young children, ages 0-3 years old, and their caregiver. An excellent introduction to Suzuki early childhood methods.

In SECE students and their caregiver attend a weekly music and movement group class where they develop rhythmic and melodic awareness, and learn through interacting with other children. The repertoire for the class includes traditional lullabies, action songs, poetry, and nursery rhymes. Students hear and have the opportunity to play percussion instruments such as glockenspiel, triangle, drum, xylophone, and shakers. Attention, gross and fine motor skills, pitch and rhythmic skills, and musical vocabulary are all developed in this course. Because of the skills they master in Suzuki Early Childhood Education, most children in the program are ready to begin instrumental studies at a very young age.

Rachel Fabulich and Laura Williamson, Instructors

Saturday, 8:15-9:00 am, 10:15-11:00 am

Twinklegarten

Twinklegarten is intended for young pre-instrumental and choral students, ages 3-5, and their caregiver. While there is no prerequisite or additional study required for this course, Twinklegarten serves as an ideal continuation for students who have been through one or more years of Suzuki Early Childhood Education and are turning 4 during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Twinklegarten combines elements from early childhood music education with the skill-building that will support an instrumental or choral path. Twinklegarten students use their voices, play instruments, move their bodies, try out tongue twisters, and tell stories, all while building skills to get them ready for their next steps in music. The course will focus on musical skills such as rhythmic and melodic understanding, social interaction, being part of an ensemble, listening, and pre-instrumental gross and fine motor skills. Using a wide variety of pitched and unpitched percussion instruments, Twinklegarten students will learn to sing and accompany familiar and new melodies. They will explore playful music-making, with opportunities for expression, using both ensemble training and creative improvisation.

Rachel Fabulich, Instructor

Saturday, 9:15-10:00 am, 3:15-4:00 pm

Brass André Ensemble (age 4-10 years)

This class is for beginning and young Suzuki brass students and the practicing parent. It is crucial for students and parents to learn to work together, as well as lay the foundation for setting up proper technique completely before playing songs. Students will work on fundamentals applicable to beginning and early brass players, as well as Book I repertoire, with beginners developing competent performance of the Twinkle Theme and Variations, and established players material into the end of Book I, by the end of the course. There will be a separate parent-only class scheduled during the first four weeks; parents will be learning about the Suzuki philosophy and how to play a brass instrument. Parents are required to read Nurtured by Love by S. Suzuki, and come to classes with Suzuki Trumpet Book 1 (Suzuki Trombone Book 1 will be provided for those students studying trombone) and an adult-sized instrument. Eurhythmics is highly recommended for all beginners.

James Markey, Instructor

Saturday, 11:15 am-12:00 pm

Preparatory Chorus

Laura Nevitt, Director

Rehearsals - Saturday, 9:00-9:45 am

Suzuki

Shinichi Suzuki believed that “any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue.” This approach of learning creates a close relationship between the child, parent, and teacher. The parent is not only present at all classes and lessons but is also the daily home teacher. The principles of the Suzuki method include daily listening, development of concentration and memory skills, learning to work with other students, parents, and teachers in group activities, and continual repetition and refinement of techniques, which allows students to build on successes. The Suzuki approach sustains a positive environment for growth.

Students are required to register separately for private lessons and weekly group ensemble class. Group class assignments are for the year. Eurhythmics is highly recommended for all beginners.

All Suzuki group classes meet on Saturday. All students enrolled in Suzuki Ensembles must be studying with a Suzuki Registered teacher. Students not enrolled in NEC Prep are required to take a placement audition. Classes below are subject to change.

Suzuki Early Childhood Education

Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) is for infants and young children, ages 0-3 years old, and their caregiver. An excellent introduction to Suzuki early childhood methods.

Rachel Fabulich and Laura Williamson, Instructors

Saturday, 8:15-9:00 am, 10:15-11:00 am

Twinklegarten

Rachel Fabulich, Instructor

Saturday, 9:15-10:00 am, 3:15-4:00 pm

Brass André Ensemble (age 4-10 years)

James Markey, Instructor

Saturday, 11:15 am-12:00 pm

Cello Suzuki Ensemble (Pre-Twinkle-Twinkle)

This class is for beginning Suzuki cello students and the practicing parent. It is a very important stage for students and parents to learn to work together, as well as layer the foundation for setting up proper technique completely before playing songs. Students will work on beginning foundational steps and cover the Twinkle variations and Twinkle Theme over the course of the year. The first 6-8 classes are for the parents only; parents will be learning about the Suzuki philosophy and learning to play the Twinkle Variations and Theme. Parents are required to read Nurtured by Love by Shinichi Suzuki and Beyond the Music Lesson by Christine Goodner, rent a full size cello if you do not have one, and come to classes with the Suzuki Cello Book, Vol. 1, revised edition. Eurhythmics is highly recommended for all beginners.

Saturday, 9:15-10:00 am

Cello Casals Ensemble (Book 1-2A)

This class is for students who are working on Lightly Row in Book 1 up to Book 2 on May Time at the beginning of the fall semester. This class will cover fundamental ensemble skills and technique with the goal of developing note reading by the end of the year. Eurhythmics and choir are recommended at this level.

Saturday, 10:15-11:00 am

Cello Rostropovich Ensemble (Book 2-3)

This class is for students who are working on the beginning of Book 2 May time and book 2 at the beginning of the fall. This class will review Book 1 and work on technique and supplemental repertoire at Book 2-3 level. Orchestra and beginning theory are recommended at this level.

Saturday, 1:15-2:00 pm

Violin and Viola Suzuki Ensemble (Pre-Twinkle/Twinkle)

This class is for beginning Suzuki students and the practicing parent. It is a very important stage for students and parents to learn to work together, as well as layer the foundation for setting up proper technique completely before playing songs. Students will work on beginning foundational steps and cover the Twinkle variations and Twinkle Theme over the course of the year. The first 6-8 classes are for the parents only; parents will be learning about the Suzuki philosophy and learning how to play a string instrument. Parents are required to read Nurtured by Love by S. Suzuki and Beyond the Music Lesson by Christine Goodner, rent a full size violin or viola if you do not have one, and come to classes with the Suzuki Violin Book l, Vol. 1, revised edition. Eurhythmics is highly recommended for all beginners.

Saturday, 9:15-10:00 am

Violin DeLay Ensemble (Book 1A)

This class is for students who are working on pieces in Book 1 up to Perpetual Motion at the beginning of the fall semester. This class will cover review from early Book 1 and middle of Book 1 repertoire and technique at the beginning of the year. As the year progresses and the students develop, technique for repertoire in the later half of Book 1 will be covered as appropriate. Eurhythmics and choir are highly recommended at this level.

Saturday, 9:15-10:00 am

Violin Gingold Ensemble (Book 1B)

This class is for students who are working on pieces in the middle of Book 1 at the beginning of the fall semester. This class will cover review from early Book 1 and middle of Book 1 repertoire and technique at the beginning of the year. As the year progresses and the students develop, technique for repertoire in the later half of Book 1 will be covered as appropriate. Eurhythmics and choir are highly recommended at this level.

Saturday, 11:15 am-12:00 pm

Violin Milstein Ensemble (Book 1C)

This class is for students who are working on the end of Book 1 (Etude+) at the beginning of the fall semester. This class will review Book 1 and work on technique and supplemental repertoire at the Book 2 level. As the year progresses, we will cover pieces at the beginning of Book 2 level as well. Eurhythmics and choir are recommended at this level.

Saturday, 11:15 am-12:00 pm

Violin Kreisler Ensemble (Book 1C-Book 2)

This class is for students who are working on the end of Book 1 (Minuet 2+) and the beginning of Book 2 at the beginning of the fall semester. This class will review Book 1 and work on technique and supplemental repertoire at the Book 2 level. Eurhythmics and choir are recommended at this level.

Saturday, 11:15 am-12:00 pm

Violin Boccherini Ensemble (Book 2-3A)

This class is for students working on pieces in the middle of Suzuki Book 2 and the beginning of Book 3 at the beginning of the fall semester. Review from Books 1 and 2 will be covered as well as more advanced technique and supplemental repertoire for this level. Orchestra and beginning theory are recommended at this level.

Saturday, 11:15 am-12:00 pm

Violin Heifetz Ensemble (Book 3B-4)

This class is for students in Book 3 and 4 at the beginning of the fall semester. Review from Books 1-3 will be covered in this class, as well as more advanced technique and supplemental repertoire appropriate for this level. Orchestra and theory are recommended at this level.

Saturday, 10:15-11:00 am

Viola Clarke Ensemble Book 1

This class is for violists in Book 1 and 2, and pre-music readers at the beginning of the fall semester. Eurhythmics and Chorus are recommended at this level.

Saturday, 11:15 am-12:00 pm

Viola Hindemith Ensemble Book 3+

This class is for violists in Book 3 and up at the beginning of the fall semester. Students must have a basic understanding of reading music to participate in the Hindemith Ensemble. Eurhythmics, Chorus, Chamber Music, and/or Orchestra are recommended at this level.

Saturday, 1:00-1:45 pm

Electives

Alexander Technique for Singers and Instrumentalists: Mindfulness and Ease in Performing

Open to students age 11 and up. Have you experienced tension/pain/fatigue/performance anxiety while playing your instrument or singing? In this class, you will learn tools that will help you find more freedom of movement, ease, and joy in your performance. This class will address how performance anxiety affects the whole body: the mind gets cloudy and the body gets tense: not a good combination for a good performance! We will learn tools to feel more grounded and centered so we can function with more ease. We will work on specific mindfulness techniques for musicians which help develop the awareness of how we use our body in our playing and help change habits that cause tension and pain. In this experiential workshop, we will learn how we usually interfere with the body’s natural alignment and coordination and how to bring ourselves into a more centered, balanced, and a freer way to play and sing. The class will be part lecture, awareness exercises, and performing. For over 100 years the Alexander Technique has helped musicians, actors, dancers, athletes and others get rid of unnecessary tensions and perform with ease and enjoyment.

Clara Sandler, Instructor

Saturday, 2:00-3:00 pm

Eurhythmics

Eurhythmics is a study of music through movement and is based on the interaction of the ear, mind, and body. Classes nurture the imagination while encouraging musical exploration and the understanding of musical concepts and skills. Students discover the body as a uniquely expressive musical instrument. Eurhythmics classes are recommended as preparation for instrumental study as well as a complementary music theory component in the early years of private instrumental instruction. Classes are taught through games, problem solving, and improvisations that focus on ear training, musicianship, and music fundamentals such as rhythm, meter, tempo, form, melody, articulation, phrase, dynamics, texture, and notation, drawn from a broad variety of musical traditions.

Students ages 6-10 are eligible to participate. Students will be placed in a leveled sequence of classes, based on age, ability and experience. Placement is at the discretion of the instructor.

Saturday, 10:00-11:00 am (with additional sections to be added)

Let's Improv Classical! Improvisation for Classical Kids

Do you know that all the great composers we know, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven... they all used to make music on the spot, a.k.a improvise? Somehow the art of “play” got lost in history. Now is the chance for your child to be among the chosen "select few" in a revolutionary Classical Band that will perform and improvise, just like what Bach, Mozart, Beethoven did back in the day, plus, with theatrical elements of acting, comedy, flash mob, performing to audience given notes, and most important, fun!

Strings, Woodwinds, Piano, Voice, and others are welcome. If your child plays an instrument that belongs to one of the above, and has reached intermediate to advanced levels, he/she is encouraged to register for the class. Particularly if your child loves music, but is feeling a bit "bored" of playing classical music, you should keep reading. This Band will be coached and directed by Improviser, Composer, multi-genre crossover artist Sarah Infini Takagi. Described by New York Times as "Unique and Liberating," Sarah is an award-winning classical concert pianist, jazz vocalist, actress, and comedian who has appeared on film, PBS Television, Radio, Carnegie Hall and Kennedy center, and has performed internationally.

Please visit letsimprovclassical.com to schedule a placement audition.

Sarah Infini Takagi, Instructor

Saturday, 4:00-5:00 pm (ages 8-12), 5:00-6:00 pm (ages 13-18)