NEC Prep Announces Free Summer Music Program “Everyone Can Make Music” for Boston Students

Today, New England Conservatory and the City of Boston announced a second partnership to provide high-quality music education to Boston students with the launch of the Everyone Can Make Music summer program. The free, four-week initiative is designed for Boston students in grades 3–5 and is a testament to NEC and the City's shared vision of promoting equitable access to music education.

“The Everyone Can Make Music program is an invitation and declaration that music is for everyone,"stated Andrea Kalyn, NEC President. "Our ongoing partnership with the City of Boston fills us with pride as we bring this exceptional opportunity to Boston-area students, nurturing their musical talents and unlocking pathways to new horizons."

"The City of Boston is thrilled to partner with New England Conservatory to offer this free summer music program,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This program provides an opportunity for students to explore their musical interests and talents that will help to ensure that more Boston students have access to quality music education."

The Everyone Can Make Music summer program is a scholarship-based music learning experience for cohorts of 30 students entering grades 3–5 in September 2023. The program will take place on NEC’s campus, and students will learn performance, theory, composition, and history from NEC faculty in courses titled "I Can Sing" and "I Can Play".

Priority placement for the program will be given to Boston residents and Boston Public Schools students with demonstrated financial need. Each two-week cohort will consist of 30 students, and each student may participate in only one cohort. Session one will take place during the weeks of July 31–August 4 and August 6–August 11, while the second session will take place during the weeks of August 14–18 and August 21–August 25.

The Everyone Can Make Music summer program expands on the December 19, 2022 announcement that NEC secured a $14.5 million grant to increase access to high-quality music education for Boston’s children.

The priority deadline for applications for Everyone Can Make Music is Wednesday, June 28. Applicants will then be ranked by financial need. Due to the anticipated interest in the program, families will be notified of acceptance into the program in early July and confirmation of participation is required within three business days. The application will not close, and a waitlist will be available for interested families.

Everyone Can Make Music will run Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with an early drop-off for parents beginning at 8:00 AM and a late pick-up until 6:00 PM. Breakfast, lunch, and an end-of-day snack will be provided to all students courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Rebecca’s Culinary Group.

In addition to summer programming, NEC Prep is also offering expanded scholarship opportunities for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 for qualified students. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
For more information on the Everyone Can Make Music summer program and application details, please visit the program website.