Explore a different musical skill or try something new! This fall, NEC Prep is offering a new series of 6-week online Mini Courses, beginning October 13.
See below for the list of course offerings, details, and how to register!
We also have private lessons and music theory courses throughout the fall, accepting students on a rolling basis.
Saturdays, 9 – 10am ET
Start Date: October 17
Open to: Grades 9–12
Instructor: Ryan Yure
Tuition: $250
Register here!
The Clarinet Seminar will focus on effective practice techniques and audition success. Students will learn how to be expert practicers through slow and accurate practice, setting daily and weekly goals, and learning effective time management skills. Students will define audition success and how to consistently play well under pressure. Audition strategies will be geared toward getting the best results from your orchestra and wind ensemble auditions, seating placement auditions, district and all-state auditions, concerto competitions, and auditions for college.
Wednesdays, 6:15 – 7:15pm ET
Start Date: October 14
Open to: Ages 11+
Instructor: Rachel Panitch
Tuition: $250
Register here!
Students will get to know the structure and feeling of fiddle tunes: learning tunes by ear, diving into new bow and rhythm techniques, experimenting with how to accompany tunes, and working together to create some of their own fiddle tunes on the spot. No previous fiddling knowledge needed, and this session is additive for students who participated in the Summer Fiddle Session. In this session, students will learn fiddle tunes by ear from fiddling and dance traditions of New England, Quebec, Appalachia, Louisiana, and more, with students voting on the tunes they most want to learn next.
This course will also help you to:
Tuesdays, 7 – 8pm ET
Start Date: October 13
Open to: Ages 12+
Instructor: Aaron Smith
Tuition: $250
Register here!
This class will give students an introduction to electronic music. They will learn the basics of working with a DAW (digital audio workstation) so that they can begin creating their own music digitally. The class will also include basic instruction in using recording equipment such as audio interfaces, microphones and speakers. Additionally, students will be introduced to the basic theory and technical components of electronic music, which will help to begin creating a solid foundation for further exploration of software such as Max/MSP and therefore, other audio tools and coding languages.
Saturdays, 9 – 10am ET
Start Date: October 17
Open to: Grades 6–12
Instructor: Laura Blustein
Tuition: $250
Register here!
This six-week class intends to teach musical terms in Italian, French and German. Many times in lessons, rehearsals, and in practicing, we encounter terms in the music and can never quite remember what they mean. This class will require weekly preparation using scores and other materials, and will culminate in a final challenge in which students will be divided into teams and their knowledge of musical terms will be put to the test!
Wednesdays, 4 – 5pm ET
Start Date: October 14
Open to: Ages 8–12
Instructor: Emily Siar
Tuition: $250
Register here!
This group voice class, designed for students ages 8–12, will introduce participants to the fundamentals of singing and musicianship in a fun and interactive setting. Topics we will cover together include:
Course Materials: The Full Voice Workbook Series: Introductory Level, 3rd Edition
Saturdays, 1 – 2pm ET
Start Date: October 17
Open to: Grades 6–9
Instructor: Joseph Nizich
Tuition: $250
Register here!
In this six-week course, students will participate in choral music-making virtually, developing important skills in vocal coordination, language, artistic interpretation, and more! Additionally, students will gain access to the information conductors consider in building their programs through completion of a concurrent project to design and program their very own choral concert! Students will learn how to identify musical challenges and develop strategies in learning their choral music both as signers and as musical leaders.
Tuesdays, 7 – 8pm ET
Start Date: October 13
Open to: Grades 8–12
Instructor: Jennifer Caraluzzi
Tuition: $250
Register here!
This is an introductory mindfulness and yoga class for musicians The one-hour, weekly meeting time will introduce simple and useful yoga poses and stretches, breath work and everyday mindfulness practices for music practice and performance. Students will build their own breath and movement practice routines to help them play and sing with more groundedness. Each class will be divided into two parts with the first half consisting of an exploration of what mindfulness means to the musician. This will include breath and visualization exercises for balance, focus, coordination, and self-awareness. The second half of each class will be a yoga flow coordinating breath, mindfulness, and yoga poses. Musicians will be provided with tools for being more present and grounded and daily life and how to apply these techniques to their music practice and performance.
Course materials:
Students may also participate with yoga blocks or blankets.
Saturdays, 11am – 12pm ET
Start Date: October 17
Open to: Ages 12 and under
Instructor: Aaron Smith
Tuition: $250
Register here!
This class will give young students the foundation for electronic music. Students will be exposed to the basic physics of sound and the computer tools available for making and composing digital music. They will also explore some of the foundational ways to think about music generally and philosophically that have historically lead to the formation of electronic music. This includes exploration of diverse sonic possibilities and experimentation with sound.
Students will engage in fundamental exercises in music-making and listening to broaden their perception of sound. By the conclusion of the class, students will be empowered to work with the basic tools to begin composing, both electronically and with live instruments.