Performances + Events
Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice
June 14–20, 2026
The Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice (SICPP) is an intensive performance seminar on music of today for advanced instrumentalists, vocalists, and young composers.
The experience is intense: full days of master classes, lessons, rehearsals and concerts. It’s an invaluable experience for anyone interested in new music and ready to tackle the challenges of 20th and 21st century repertoire under a faculty uniquely experienced in learning, performing and teaching these pieces.
Priority Application Deadline: January 16, 2026
Age Eligibility: 18+
Programming
SICPP brings together performers, composers, and sound artists for an intensive week of exploration in contemporary music. Participants can immerse themselves in the Performance Program, New Works Program, or Electronics Workshop, with opportunities to collaborate across disciplines. The program concludes with the Iditarod, a marathon performance of all participants’ work throughout the week.
Instrumentalists and vocalists will prepare and perform contemporary chamber music under the guidance of SICPP faculty and guest performers, and collaborate on creative projects with our New Works Program Fellows and Electronic Workshop.
Throughout the week, performers will rehearse their ensembles closely alongside SICPP faculty in the realization of their assigned pieces – these may be works by the Composer-in-Residence, “workhorse” avant-garde pieces from the past 100 years, or a piece by one of our New Works Fellows. SICPP offers daily instrumental masterclasses on contemporary performance practice, faculty lectures, ensemble coachings, improv sessions, concerts, and opportunities for solo performance.
Composers accepted into our New Works Program will create a new work for a small configuration. New Works Fellows will collaborate closely with their assigned performers during composition and over the course of the week in the rehearsal of their piece, which will be workshopped in a master class with the Composer-in-Residence, and performed in a recorded concert at the end of the week.
New Works Fellows will have one private lesson with the Composer-in-Residence, and present and participate in daily colloquia, which will cover various topics as moderated by the Composer-in-Residence and composition faculty. In addition, New Works Fellows may attend any of our daily improv sessions, faculty lectures, and concerts.
Electronics Workshop participants come from a variety of backgrounds, including composers, sound artists, and performers. Any musician with an interest in electronics in music is welcome to apply by proposing a project to be realized at the festival.
Participants in the Electronic Workshop will work on their individual and collaborative projects with performers over the course of the week with critique and guidance from Electronic Workshop faculty. Daily sessions will include master classes, lessons, interactive lectures, guest presentations, open sharing and discussion sessions, and coachings, covering a wide range of electronic music styles and possibilities.
Works will be presented and performed throughout the week. Project proposals may include fixed media compositions, live electronics with or without an instrument or voice, and multimedia works. Collaboration with performers and other Electronic Workshop participants is encouraged.
Faculty
SICPP offers the opportunity to study with outstanding NEC faculty from a variety of disciplines, including:
SICPP Artistic Director
Percussion
Piano
Winds, Brass
Electronics
Daily Schedule
Learn what to expect from each day as a student participating in the Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice. Please note that this schedule is subject to change.
| 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Instrumental Master Class |
| 12–1 p.m. | Ensemble Rehearsal |
| 1–2 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 2–3 p.m. | Faculty Lecture |
| 3–4:30 p.m. | Ensemble Rehearsal |
| 5–6 p.m. | Improvisation Session |
| 6–8 p.m. | Dinner Break |
| 8 p.m. | Faculty Performance |
| 9–11 a.m. | New Works Colloquia |
| 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Rehearsal Attendance |
| 12:30–2 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 2–3 p.m. | Private Lesson |
| 3–6 p.m. | Composition Master Class |
| 6–8 p.m. | Dinner Break |
| 8 p.m. | Faculty Performance |
| 9–11 a.m. | Faculty Demonstration |
| 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Ensemble Rehearsal |
| 12:30–1:30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 1:30–3:30 p.m. | Sharing Session |
| 3:30–5 p.m. | Guest Lecture |
| 5–6 p.m. | Improv Session |
| 6–8 p.m. | Dinner Break |
| 8 p.m. | Faculty Performance |
How to Apply
College-level and adult instrumentalists, vocalists, and young composers with advanced skills are welcome to submit an application to the Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice. Please complete the online application using the following guidelines for the program that interests you.
Requirements by Program
- CV or Resume
- Two video recordings: one contemporary selection, and one selection of standard repertoire from any period
- One letter of recommendation
- Optional: any specific chamber music works you might be interested in performing
- Biography or artist’s statement
- Scores to at least one but up to three works representative of the applicant
- Works may be scored for any instrumentation and may include electronics
- Accompanying recordings optional, but strongly recommended
- One letter of recommendation
- Bio or artist’s statement
- At least one but up to three work samples representative of the applicant, uploaded in the form of score, audio, or video
- Proposal for a project to be realized during the festival week — examples may include fixed media compositions, works for live electronics with or without instrument or voice, multimedia works, interactive online environments, or installations
- One letter of recommendation
Please note that a $50 fee is required for each application.
Start Your ApplicationTuition and Fees
Participants in the program have the option to either stay on NEC’s Boston campus during the duration of the program or commute to campus each day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided.
Residential Student Cost | Tuition, Housing, Meals: $3,344
Day Student Cost | Tuition, Meals: $2,310
Explore financial aid opportunities.
