Catalyst Fund

NEC is pioneering a new model of musicianship to ensure our graduates have lives of meaning, mastery, relevance and impact.

Gifts to the Catalyst Fund will provide resources that build and sustain the growth, evolution, and impact of educating musicians that matter. This will be accomplished through directing 80% of Catalyst Fund gifts to new ideas, and 20% to endow the sustained work of ideas that grow beyond the pilot phase, as well as to foster continual investment in these new innovations.

Investment in the Catalyst Fund will impact current and future initiatives including new curricular opportunities, tech-enabled spaces and technology empowered platforms.

Please see below for the various initiatives you can impact with a gift to the Catalyst Fund:

First Year Experience

The NEC First Year Experience (FYE) is a yearlong suite of courses, structured mentorship and active learning that introduces students to the creative mindsets and tangible skillsets necessary for a successful and healthy college and professional career. During the First Year Experience, students will develop the twin skill sets of internal personal discovery and the ability to participate communally in the interconnected world around them.

Introduction Learn about the six integrated learning outcomes NEC students will gain during their first year to help throughout their time at NEC and beyond.

Health and Wellness Did you know 70-80% of professional orchestral musicians report performance related injuries? Learn more how health and wellness management is an integral part of a musician's career.

Student Experience Chloe Thum '24 shares how FYE has shaped her NEC experience.

Low-Latency Technology

20-25 NEC rooms will be equipped with low-latency technology that enables studios, rehearsals and classes to recreate the conditions of in person musical collaboration, and extending this connectivity into real time, live streamed, distributed performances augmented by, rather than in spite of the technology.

Low Latency for Singers: Master Classes and Real-Time Collaboration

Song Lab

A novel approach to vocal studies, Song Lab focuses on the repertoire, interpretation and performance of art songs. Through intertwined courses and guest lectures that enhance the creative process, students immerse themselves in the languages and histories of art song, develop their individual approaches, and learn to lead their own productions of song recitals on both traditional concert platforms and the digital stage.

Introduction Discover what makes Song Lab a unique curriculum at NEC.

Interview with Samuel Rosner '21 MM Learn about the power of art song, the Song Lab experience and what inspires Samuel's compositions.

Song Lab Rehearsals See how both in-person and remote students rehearse at NEC.

Student Experience: Kimly Wang '21 GD, Collaborative Pianist Kimly shares her Song Lab experience as a remote student.

Student Experience: Lucas Coura '21 MM, Voice Performance Lucas shares his Song Lab experience as a hybrid student.

Song Lab Learn more about the curriculum including past performances and upcoming concerts.

Tech-Enabled Classrooms

Tech-Enabled Classrooms are available in 19 learning environments and conference spaces on campus with immediate upgrades to systems and hardware. Investments in areas like technology for digital and analog curriculum, higher quality digital production tools for students and faculty, Jordan Hall streaming capabilities, and acoustic upgrades in key spaces across campus will create a more dynamic NEC user experience.

Theory Reimagined

Understanding music theory is key to being a literate musician. NEC’s Theory Reimagined elevates the traditional teachings of music reading and writing by incorporating technology, composition and a diverse repertoire.

Introduction See how NEC reimagined its theory curriculum.

Nadia Introduction Learn about Nadia, an educational app that immerses students in the fundamentals of music theory through gamified lessons, supplementing their musical education.

Student Experience Listen to students’ original compositions as they describe how Theory Reimagined emphasizes the essential role of music theory in their practice and performance and creates a tangible music theory experience.