Programs

Please choose an option from the menu at the left for information about specific programs.

Welcome!

New England Conservatory’s Preparatory School welcomes all children and teenagers who have a sincere desire to make music a profound part of their lives. Programs for all ages and levels are designed to nurture each student’s innate musicality, leading to the satisfaction and personal rewards that come from accomplishment and sharing. Emphasis is placed on ensemble experience in addition to classroom and private instruction. It is often in making music with others that our deepest sense of fulfillment is found. The faculty and staff of the NEC Preparatory School are committed to providing each student with the course of study best suited to his or her musical needs. We sincerely hope that you will find a musical home and family within our walls.
 
Mark Churchill
Dean and Artistic Director, Preparatory and Continuing Education 

Elisabeth Christensen
Director, Preparatory School

Tradition of Excellence

New England Conservatory was founded in 1867 by Eben Tourjee and is America’s oldest independent school of music. The Preparatory School was established in 1950 under the direction of Frances B. Lanier, to provide high-caliber instruction to students planning a professional career in music.

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, ages 3-18, from throughout New England. Students 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.

Individualized Programs 

The Preparatory School curriculum is offered on an “a la carte” basis. Students may enroll in one stand-alone activity (ensemble, lessons, theory) or any combination of lessons, classes, and ensembles. Emphasis is on serious, professional training. The core of the program is one-on-one master/apprentice private instruction.

This instruction, when supplemented by music theory classes and ensemble training, becomes the heart of our Certificate Program, which provides tangible evidence of progressive achievement during the years of attendance at the school.

All Preparatory School students are part of a unique musical community. Peer support and the sharing of ideas and talents are encouraged by many features of the program. It is the goal of the Preparatory School to provide each student with a stimulating environment best suited to his or her age and education level. About half of the students who graduate from the Preparatory School each year go on to study music at conservatories and liberal arts colleges.

Open Enrollment

Students may enroll for any program of lessons, classes, and ensembles for which they qualify. Early childhood studies involve children as young as 4 years old in Eurhythmics classes, and older and more advanced students can choose from a full range of music theory, jazz, and private instrumental, composition, and voice studies.

Students registered for at least twelve private lessons each semester are eligible for discounted rates on ensembles and classes, as well as participation in workshops, recitals, masterclasses, and the annual concerto competition.

It is the responsibility of parents and students to coordinate their individual Saturday schedule of lessons, classes, and ensembles. It is usually most effective to start by considering large ensemble rehearsal schedules, followed by theory classes and chamber music, and then to work with the private teacher to schedule the lesson around the student’s other activities. Prep School staff and faculty will do all they can to assist you in this process.