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.
Getting Started
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.
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.)
2010-06-18
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN