Performances + Events
Our Youngest Musicians
At NEC Prep and in our early childhood community partnerships with the City of Boston, 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 strong 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 (ages 0-7) excited about learning music. Many Prep students begin their musical journey at NEC as young children and grow with the program until they graduate from high school. From caregiver/child music classes to preparatory choruses, there is a class for everyone at NEC Prep.
Since our activities are available à la carte, your family can determine the appropriate level of participation at every step along the way. Whether or not children continue to pursue musical interests as they grow, the process of learning music teaches valuable life skills, such as persistence, problem-solving, creativity, self-expression, and collaboration.
Early Childhood Programs at NEC Prep
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 instrumental or choral study. In addition to the course listings below, the Suzuki and Choral Departments offer a wide variety of group classes, ensembles, and private lessons for our youngest learners. Please see the Suzuki and Choral Departments and the Eurhythmics program for a complete list of offerings.
Discover Early Childhood ClassesEarly Childhood Music in the Community
Inspired by a goal to increase access and exposure to music education among the youngest children of Boston, NEC offers weekly high-quality music and movement classes in infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms in Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, and the South End in partnership with the City of Boston, ABCD Head Start, and Ellis Early Learning.
Led by experienced early childhood music teaching artists, these weekly music classes include singing, guided play with percussion instruments, expressive movement activities, and lots of collaborative and individual musical fun! We believe in making music an enjoyable, playful journey for children, where they can learn complex musical concepts in an engaging, accessible manner, encouraging a lifelong understanding and love for music.
“Music is transformational. It connects the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — and so it can unlock the whole child. We know that music can support intellectual development; but equally, it can help a child’s social and emotional development, their sense of identity, their connection. It can help them belong to something, and become their own person.”
– Andrea Kalyn, NEC President
Lessons
Private instruction is the foundation of a sound musical education. Students can begin private lessons on many instruments starting at four years old. String students have the option of studying with the traditional method or the Suzuki method. A unique feature of our private lesson program is that it includes the opportunity to participate in workshops, recitals, and evaluations, giving every student valuable performance experience and feedback from a variety of teachers.
Discover Lessons at NEC PrepPreparatory 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 techniques for developing voices, musicianship, and ear-training through solfège 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.
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 to learning creates a close relationship among the child, caretaker, and teacher. The caretaker 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.
NEC Prep’s diverse early childhood Suzuki instrument offerings include violin, viola, cello, trombone, and early trumpet, with many options for private lessons and group ensembles.
Group early childhood classes are also available for pre-instrumentalists, ages 0 to 3, and budding instrumentalists, ages 3-5. Children and their caregivers are invited to participate in weekly music and movement classes where students develop rhythmic and melodic awareness, focus, social interactions, gross and fine motor skills, and musical curiosity. They use their voices, play instruments, and move their bodies, building skills to get them ready for instrumental study and igniting a love for and connection with music.
