Performances + Events
NEC Prep Applications, Auditions, and Registration
At NEC, music is everywhere, and the halls buzz with energy. Here, superb conservatory faculty guides a community of spirited young people, from absolute beginners to the most advanced students, through an exciting musical journey. It’s conservatory-level training in an open-enrollment setting, where our students rise to the challenge of rigorous music-making and relish being with other kids who love it, too.
NEC Prep is one of the largest programs of its kind in the nation, with 1,500 students from across New England participating weekly in lessons, classes, and ensembles. There’s so much on offer here and so many opportunities for your child. We invite your family to join us and make NEC Prep your musical home.
Frequently Asked Questions
All NEC Prep students, both new and returning, must submit an application in order to participate in the 2024-2025 NEC Prep year.
A $40 non-refundable fee will be charged per application. This fee covers all auditions for as many ensembles, classes, or activities a student wishes to apply for.
Yes! NEC Prep awards more than $250,000 annually in scholarships. Students are welcome to apply at any time; however, the earlier you register and apply, the better your chances of receiving aid. Applications for the upcoming school year are available on April 15th and can be found in the Parent/Guardian Portal.
How to Apply
All applications are submitted through the online Parent/Guardian Portal. If this is your first time using the Parent/Guardian Portal, please be sure to create an account using your own name and information. You may then add your student(s) as family members in your profile. From there you will be able to submit applications for your student(s). If you have submitted an application through the Parent/Guardian Portal previously, it is not necessary to create a new account.
Application Deadlines
Early Decision Deadline: May 15
- Final deadline for:
- Large Ensembles
- CHIPS (Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar)
- Priority deadline for:
- Scholarship
- Theory/Composition
- Private Lessons
- Applications submitted by May 15 will receive a decision by June 15
Round Two Deadline: August 1
- Final deadline for:
- Scholarship
- Theory
- Private Lessons
- Jazz
- Suzuki/Early Childhood Education
- Chamber Music
- Piano Seminar
- CMA
- All other classes and electives
Applications submitted by August 1 will receive a decision by August 30. Jazz and Chamber Music applicants will receive a decision in September. These programs start on September 28.
After August 1, interested Prep applicants are requested to complete our online interest form to let us know more about what you would like to study at NEC Prep. We will reach out to interested applicants on a case-by-case basis after September 14. For more information, email ee@necmusic.edu.
Auditions
We welcome students of all levels, ranging from absolute beginners to the highly advanced. Most classes and ensembles at NEC Prep require a placement or audition. Our faculty use their wealth of experience and knowledge to make sure students are placed in the appropriate ensemble or class for their skill level or with an appropriate private lesson teacher who will help them grow.
Students may enroll in any program of lessons, classes, or ensembles for which they qualify, as determined by audition or placement. Although classes run through the full academic year, we are currently offering openings for mid-year ensemble placements and private lessons.
Students registered for 30 or 36 private lessons during the academic year are eligible for discounted rates on ensembles and classes, as well as participation in workshops, recitals, and masterclasses.
Who Needs to Audition?
- New Prep students
- Current Prep students who wish to audition for a different ensemble
- Current Jr. Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble (MYSE), Sr. MYWE, and MYWE Concert Band students
- Current students who wish to add new lessons or activities to their schedule
Current students who wish to remain in their current ensembles (with the exception of MYWE students) and who do not wish to add any new activities must submit an application, but do not need to submit new audition materials.
Audition Timeline
Audition videos for Large Ensembles and Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar must be submitted by May 15 via the 24-25 NEC Prep application. NEC Prep large ensembles consist of our Orchestras and Wind Ensembles, Youth Jazz Orchestra, and Baroque Ensembles. Placements are sent out on June 22.
Please note: students who are currently enrolled in our orchestra and chorus program and would like to advance to a higher level group must re-audition each year. All students in Jr. MYWE, MYWE Concert Band, and Sr. MYWE must re-audition every year. Please contact ee@necmusic.edu if you have questions regarding this requirement for your ensemble.
Students who have been accepted into a large ensemble from the spring auditions also complete seating auditions for their specific ensembles on September 7th.
Applications are available during the spring semester to join orchestra, wind ensemble, youth chorale, theory classes, chamber music ensembles, and private lessons at the mid-way point of the year. All courses, ensembles, and lesson packages are prorated for new students joining our programming or current students who are adding an additional class.
Contact ee@necmusic.edu if you have any questions.
Please note: current students may not use this application to join a higher-level ensemble or to change their private teacher.
Private lessons can be started at any time during the year. Rolling admission to our other offerings, such as classes and ensembles, is at the discretion of the instructors. For more information about late enrollment, please contact the office directly.
Tuition and Fees
Students must pay for courses, ensembles, and private lessons in advance for the year. A $50 registration fee is charged once per term (academic year or summer) per student. Students enrolling in September for year-long courses, ensembles, and private lesson packages are not required to re-register for those courses in the spring.
Due at the time of registration: 15% tuition, $50 registration fee, $30 evaluation fee, and $10 payment plan fee (per course).
The remaining seven installments are drawn automatically from a valid credit card furnished at the original registration or via check as agreed upon by the registrar, on the following dates:
- September 20, October 20, November 20, January 20, February 20, March 20
Due at the time of registration: $300 deposit, $50 registration fee and $10 payment plan fee (per course)
The remaining six installments are drawn automatically from a valid credit card number furnished at the original registration or via check as agreed upon by the Registrar, on the following dates:
- September 20, October 20, November 20, January 20, February 20, March 20
Due at the time of registration: $300 deposit, $50 registration fee and $10 payment plan fee (per course)
The remaining six installments are drawn automatically from a valid credit card number furnished at the original registration or via check as agreed upon by the Registrar, on the following dates:
- September 20, October 20, November 20, January 20, February 20, March 20
Additional Payment Information
Students must pay their tuition and fees in full at the time of registration. The school accepts check, MasterCard, VISA, American Express, or Discover as valid forms of payment. Families that choose to pay by check must register in person.
Students are responsible for paying with a check or valid credit card. NEC will assess students who present non-negotiable checks, for any reason, a fine of $30 per check. The school reserves the right to refuse personal checks from students who have previously paid with non-negotiable items.
Students must pay any outstanding balances prior to registering.
The following payment plan is available for people who prefer to pay tuition in installments. Dates listed are for payment plans for the 2024-2025 academic year:
Payment Plan Terms
