Classes
Auditions
Large Ensemble Auditions
IDs
Getting Started
What is the New England Conservatory Preparatory School?
The NEC Preparatory School is known as one of the best of its kind in the nation, providing music instruction in large and small ensembles, classes, and private lessons to over 1,300 students from throughout New England. Students in the Preparatory School have access to the resources of a world-class conservatory, including first and foremost a stellar faculty. Preparatory School students can leverage the resources of the NEC libraries (scores and recordings), the Career Services Center, participate in/attend master classes with visiting artists, and take advantage of a myriad of performances.
How do I apply to the Prep School?
NEC Prep is an open enrollment school, so there is no formal application process. Students taking private lessons will be asked to take a placement audition with the department chair. This allows us to place each student with the teacher that is best for them.
How do I apply for the certificate program?
The certificate program at NEC Prep does not require an application. In order to get a certificate, you must fulfill the certificate requirements for your instrument. Your child must be taking private lessons here at NEC in order to qualify for the certificate program. Any questions about certificates should be directed to Elisabeth Christensen, the director of the Prep School.
How do I apply for scholarship?
Scholarship forms are available on the Forms and Downloads section of the website. Please read the accompanying letter carefully. We accept scholarship applications after the priority deadline; however, we are working with more limited funds after the deadline has passed.
How do I register?
Registration is available online and in person. Please note that many lessons, classes and ensembles require a placement or entrance interview, audition, or test. You must fulfill any applicable placement or audition requirements in order to participate in lessons, classes, and ensembles.
Check the academic calendar for the registration schedule. New students will need to create a parent and student account. Returning students should already have a username and password. Call the office at 617-585-1314 if you need to check your account status. Go to online registration.
How much do classes cost?
Please go to the Tuition and Fees section of the website to find our price list. Please note that some private instructors have a higher rate. Please call the Prep office at 617-585-1130 if you have questions about your teacher’s rate.
Where is the Prep School office?
The Prep school office is in the St. Botolph St building, room 120. When you enter the building, it is the first door on your left. On Saturdays we also staff a “field” office in the Jordan Hall building, room 106. Click here for directions to NEC.
How do I choose a private instructor?
If you already have a teacher in mind, you can discuss that option with the department chair at the time of your audition.
After you play/sing for the department chair, please contact the teacher(s) they suggested for you. The lesson time, length, and number of lessons is at the discretion of the instructor. Once you have been accepted by a specific teacher and reached an agreement about the lesson length, you must register for lessons. Agreeing on a date and time with a teacher does not mean that you have registered for lessons!
Classes
When do classes start?
Check the Academic Calendar for course start dates. Chamber ensembles start on the second week of the semester.
Where will my classes take place?
Classes take place in the Jordan Hall building (JH) and the St. Botolph St building (SB). Classroom numbers will be posted on the bulletin boards in the front of both buildings on the first day of classes. Rooms occasionally change from week to week, so please check the boards if you are unsure of your class location.
Auditions
Do I need to audition?
Entrance or placement auditions are required for the following activities:
All large ensembles (orchestras, choruses, wind ensembles, baroque
ensembles, brass ensemble, percussion ensemble). More information can
be found below. Chamber music ensembles
Piano Seminars
Piano Sightreading
Piano Duo
Sonata Duo Class
Private lessons. NEC Prep is an open enrollment school, but we require all private lesson students (who have not already been accepted to a specific teacher’s studio) to audition for the department chair. Even beginning students must interview with the department chair. For most private lesson auditions, non-beginners should prepare two contrasting pieces for the audition.
Music Theory classes require a short oral placement test. Even students who have taken no music theory before are required to take the placement test.
Jazz Lessons
Jazz Ensembles
Jazz Theory
How do I schedule an audition?
For large ensembles, please see the information below.
For all other classes, please call the Prep office at 617-585-1130 to schedule your audition.
What will my child’s audition for private lessons be like?
Your child will audition for the department chair. Some auditions are very short, so if your child is playing longer pieces, they may be asked to stop in the middle of a piece. When the audition is complete, the department chair will recommend a teacher or teachers who might be a good fit for your child and are available to take new students.
When will I get the audition results?
If you are auditioning for large ensembles, please see the information below.
For private lessons, theory, and most classes, you will get audition results at the end of your audition. For chamber music and Jazz classes, you should get your audition results during the week before your class or ensemble is set to begin.
IDs
Why does my child need an NEC ID?
IDs are used for access to the NEC campus. They can also be used as debit cards so that your children can use the vending machines and eat at the NEC cafeteria and as library cards for the NEC libraries.
How do I get an NEC ID?
You must be registered for classes in order to receive an NEC ID. Please call the office for information about when IDs will be available.
Large Ensemble Auditions
Who is listening to the auditions? Who makes the decisions about placement?
The directors of the Youth Chorale, Children’s Choruses, Percussion Ensemble, Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensembles, Youth Jazz Orchestra, Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, and Baroque Ensembles listen to the spring auditions in person and make admission decisions. Due to the huge volume of orchestra auditions, those auditions are videotaped. The adjudicators in the room are taking notes on the auditions, but the decisions about placement are made by a committee of the orchestra conductors and the director of the Preparatory School,who all gather to review the videotaped auditions.
When will I hear whether I’ve been accepted?
Audition results from the May auditions are communicated by email on/around June 15. Students have until June 30 to decide whether to accept the assignment.
Can I get feedback on my audition so that I can learn my strengths and weaknesses?
Unfortunately we do not provide feedback on auditions. If you have a particular concern you may contact the Director of the Preparatory School.
Are students ever accepted directly into higher orchestras?
We consider all applicants for all orchestras, regardless of prior participation at NEC.
I would like to also audition for chamber music, small jazz ensembles, theory classes, or private lessons. What do I do?
Those auditions will be held in September. Please contact the main Prep Office after August 15, at 617-585-1130.
Can my child be assigned to more than one group? If so, can s/he participate in both? Can s/he choose one or the other?
Yes, students are often assigned to more than one group, particularly if they take more than one audition, but sometimes based on a single audition. In this case you will be able to choose to participate in only one ensemble or (as long as the rehearsals don’t occur simultaneously) multiple ensembles.
Do all the ensembles have seating auditions in September?
The large orchestras all hold seating auditions in September. Most other ensembles do not. If your child accepts a place in String Chamber Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Youth Jazz Orchestra, any of the baroque ensembles, or either of the Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensembles they should simply register and attend the first rehearsal in September.
If my child is a returning student do they need to prepare two contrasting pieces along with the audition excerpt for September seating auditions?
Yes! (Only YPO, YS, and YRO require audition excerpts. Excerpts for these orchestras will be available after August 15.)
2010-11-12
JOHANNES BRAHMS