Performances + Events
In September, Erin Hogan — then the newly appointed chair of the Contemporary Musical Arts program in New England Conservatory’s Expanded Education Department — sought eagerly to introduce new, music-learning experiences and genres to students in NEC’s Preparatory School and Adult Education program.
NEC Prep Executive Director Sean Buchsbaum pointed out at the time that there was “much opportunity for growth within CMA, particularly within Expanded Ed.” And Christopher Bush, the Expanded Education Department’s Director of Adult Education and Digital Programs, added, “We have a lot of students — in both Adult Ed and Prep — who are interested in music that is in addition to what they may already be studying.”
Beginning this month, students in both the Prep School and Expanded Education program have the opportunity to experience pilot offerings that reflect the College’s CMA curriculum and focus on music that is largely taught and learned by ear.
Both NEC Prep and the Adult Education program are offering a Songwriting for Beginners course led by Grammy Award-winning artist Amanda Taylor, a Celtic Music Ensemble, and a weekly Guided Open Jam. Expanded Education offerings also include an All Generation Folk Chorale and a combined (NEC Prep and Adult Education) Roots Ensemble. An Intro to Ukulele course is available through NEC Prep. All pilot classes and ensembles run for four weeks.
Hogan described the offerings, as a whole, as “music taught aurally and of the folk tradition.” The experience, regardless of which course a student chooses to explore — perhaps in addition to ongoing studies in NEC’s Expanded Education Department — is one Hogan hopes will help build community.
“Music is in all of us,” she said, explaining that learning by ear — that is, “taking music off the page and living it” — “opens your musical senses.”
“You’re creating your own way of learning,” she said. “You don’t have to have any experience, you don’t have to audition.” The new classes and ensembles are registration-based and open to all.
Adam Hendey, who’s leading the youth and adult Celtic Music Ensembles this spring, said, “I want people to discover an ability to make music with other people.” Celtic music, he added, “is meant to be experienced within the context of community.” Hendey’s ensembles will explore traditional folk music from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and beyond.
Similarly, Noah Fishman said the Roots Music Ensemble and Guided Open Jams he’s leading are, by nature of the music itself, “accessible.”
“If the goal of a school is to get more people making music,” he said, “then roots music feels super central.” Fishman’s groups focus on musical traditions from North America and Europe while learning melodies, harmonies, improvisation, and accompaniment.
“I think that we all can agree that making music together is essential for building community,” Hogan said. “We want people relating to each other and relating to what they hear.”
Explore the NEC Prep and Adult Education classes and ensembles that are available this spring. Email Erin Hogan with any questions.
