Eli Epstein, Department Chair
Brass Master Series
Brass players of all ages are welcome to participate in this totally unique program. Some of the top brass players and teachers in the country – all faculty members – offer workshops and lectures on topics that range from the technical (breathing, posture, ensemble playing) to the practical (equipment choices, careers in music, auditioning). The series will also feature our extremely popular “BrassFests,” which are hands-on, side-by-side playing experiences with our brass faculty, both in large ensembles and instrument-specific groups.
BrassFests
Each year, NEC Prep presents TrumpetFest, Trombone/TubaFest, and FrenchHornFest. These FREE two-hour Sunday morning events focus on a particular instrument’s challenges and joys, and promise to inspire and expand the awareness of participants. These classes are open to the public. Please bring your instruments!
Sunday, November 4, 10 am – 12 noon - Pierce Hall
TRUMPETFEST with Joseph Foley, principal trumpet of the Rhode Island Philharmonic and Richard Kelley, trumpet of the Boston Pops
Sunday, January 20, 10 am – 12 noon - Pierce Hall
TROMBONE/TUBAFEST with Norman Bolter, veteran trombonist of the BSO and Boston Pops and Kenneth Amis, tubist of Empire Brass
Sunday March 10, 10 am - 12 noon - SB 113
FRENCHHORNFEST with Eli Epstein, veteran horn of The Cleveland Orchestra
Brass Master Series
Registration is required for the Brass Master Series. You can choose to register for the entire series or just one session online. Click here to register. $40 for the series/$10 per session. Day-of registration is available in the NEC Prep Office (241 Saint Botolph St.) Please be sure to arrive early for day-of registration.
Saturday October 27, 1 – 2 pm - SB 317
“Arranging for Brass 101” with Kenneth Amis, tubist of Empire Brass
Saturday, November 17, 1 – 2 pm - Pierce Hall
"FEARLESS" with Richard Kelley, trumpet of the Boston Pops
Saturday, February 2, 1 – 2 pm - Pierce Hall
“I WILL NOT Fight the Trumpet” with Joseph Foley, principal trumpet of the Rhode Island Philharmonic
Saturday, March 30, 1 – 2 pm - Pierce Hall
“3-D Sound Production.” with Norman Bolter, veteran trombonist of the BSO and Boston Pops
Saturday, April 20, 1 – 2 pm - JH Keller Room
“Managing Performance Anxiety: How to Become Happy and Excited about Performing.” with Eli Epstein, veteran horn of The Cleveland Orchestra
Private Lessons
Private lessons of 30, 45, and 60 minutes are offered in all the categories listed under faculty. Prospective students must set up an audition or placement interview with the department chair, who will advise each student personally regarding an appropriate studio teacher placement. Please see our private lessons page for more information about the benefits of taking private instruction here at NEC.
For specific information regarding teacher placement, please contact the Preparatory School office by calling 617-585-1130 or email prep@necmusic.edu.
Chamber Music
Chamber Music Ensembles
Eli Epstein, Chair
The NEC Preparatory School 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.
Auditions take place in early September. To schedule an appointment, contact the Preparatory School office at 617-585-1130.
Scholarship Brass Quintet
Robert Pettipaw, Coach
Open by audition to advanced brass players, the Scholarship Brass Quintet is a tuition-free ensemble open by audition to advanced brass players. Students must be enrolled in an NEC large ensemble in order to qualify. Auditions held in September.
Trombone Choir
Norman Bolter, Director
Trombone Choir helps students build excellent ensemble skills in listening, blending, rhythm, and intonation. It offers a wonderful sonic grouping and a variety of styles. Mr. Bolter has conducted many trombone choirs around the country and abroad including at the Juilliard School, Eastman School and in Venezuela with the El Sistema program. His goal is to help ignite the natural joy and enthusiasm that is inherent in every player.
Eligibility: At least 3 - 4 years playing experience with good basic reading skills.
For more information, click here.
Rehearsals - Saturday, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Youth Brass Ensemble
Eli Epstein, Director
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. Auditions held in September.
For more information, click here.
Rehearsals - Saturday, 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Orchestras
Please note: Admission to NEC Prep orchestras is highly selective, particularly for woodwind players, as the number of openings is very limited.
Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO)
David Loebel and Hugh Wolff, directors
Touring ensemble: Summer 2013 tour. Open by audition to highly advanced pre-college players. Admission to YPO is extremely selective. Students placed in YPO generally play at a level which will guarantee them admission to selective conservatories. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of YPO are in grades 10 - 12. Younger college-age players are sometimes invited to fill vacancies due to the absence of qualified pre-college players.
For more information, click here.
Rehearsals – Saturday, 3:10 - 6:00 PM
Youth Symphony (YS)
Steven Karidoyanes, Director
Touring ensemble: Summer 2013 tour. Open by audition to advanced players. Admission to YS is very selective. Students placed in YS generally play with a high level of musicality and technical mastery, are comfortable playing complete concertos from all stylistic periods, and have significant prior orchestral and chamber music experience. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of YS are in grades 10 - 12.
For more information, click here.
Rehearsals – Saturday, 3:15 - 6:00 PM
Youth Repertory Orchestra (YRO)
Jane Ezbicki, Director
Open by audition to upper intermediate to advanced players. Students placed in YRO generally play with good intonation and 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 - 11.
For more information, click here.
Rehearsals – Saturday, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Junior Repertory Orchestra (JRO)
Adam Grossman, Director
Open by audition to intermediate strings, winds, horns, and trumpet players. Students placed in JRO 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 8 - 9.
For more information, click here.
Rehearsals – Saturday, 1:30 - 3:00 PM
Wind Ensembles
Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble (MYWE)
Michael Mucci, Director
Touring ensemble: Summer 2014 tour. Open by audition to advanced high school-age (grades 10 - 12) players. Auditions are generally at the level of all-state auditions.
For more information, click here.
Rehearsals – Friday, 4:15 - 7:00 PM
Jr. Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble (Jr. MYWE)
David Samour, Director
Open by audition to junior high school-age (grades 7 - 10) players. Auditions are generally at the level of Jr. District auditions.
For more information, click here.Rehearsals – Friday, 4:15 - 7:00 PM
Baroque ensembles
Aldo Abreu, Director
Brandenburg Ensemble (BE)
Open by audition to advanced players. Students placed in the BE generally play with a high level of musicality and technical mastery, are comfortable playing complete concertos from all stylistic periods and have significant prior orchestral and chamber music experience. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of the VBS are in grades 9 - 12.
For more information, click here.
Rehearsals – Saturday, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Baroque Chamber Orchestra (BCO)
Open by audition to upper intermediate players. Students placed in the 8 O’Clock 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 orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of the 8 O’Clock BCO are in grades 7-12.
For more information, click here.
Rehearsals – Saturday, 8:00 - 10:00 AM
Recorder and String Orchestra (RSO)
Open by audition to intermediate players. Students placed in RSO are generally comfortable shifting and playing fast passagework. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of RSO are in grades 3 - 11.
For more information, click here.
Rehearsals – Saturday, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Preparatory Baroque Ensemble (PBE)
Open by audition to beginning players. Students placed in PBE have mastered basic technical aspects of playing the instrument and read music. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of PBE are in grades 3 - 9.
For more information, click here.
Rehearsals – Saturday, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Friday Baroque Ensemble (FBE)
Open by audition to intermediate players. Students placed in FBE are generally comfortable shifting and playing fast passagework. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of FBE are in grades 3 - 11.
For more information, click here.
Rehearsals – Friday, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Suggested course of study
Beginners (first year)
- Private Lesson
- Musicianship or Theory Class
- Observe Brass Master Class Series
- Attend NEC Brass Bash
- Attend BSO Performances
Intermediate (second year)
- Private Lesson
- Chamber Music
- Theory Class
- Participate in Brass Master Class Series
- Attend NEC Brass Bash
- Attend BSO Performances
Honors (subsequent years - can be completed over multiple years)
- Private Lesson
- Large Ensemble: Youth Brass Ensemble/Youth Orchestras/MYWE/
Jr. MYWE - Brass Master Class Series
- Theory for Teens
- Improvisation
- Art of Practice and Performance
- Attend NEC Brass Bash
- Attend BSO Performances
2013-03-06
LOUIS ARMSTRONG