NEC Prep Jazz Placements
Welcome to the NEC Prep Jazz Department Fall 2022/Spring 2023 school year.
This page gives you all the information and web links to online forms that you need in order to join the NEC Prep Jazz department. Please review the steps below and email prepjazz@necmusic.edu with any questions.
Step 1: All New and Returning Jazz Students must fill out the Prep Jazz Placement Form linked below:
This will take 10-20 minutes to complete. For returning students this form will be due July 10; for new students this will be due PRIOR to the Jazz Placement Audition, so that the Chair can change the answers on the form and advise on course selection during the Jazz Placement Audition.
STEP 2: Students that are NEW to the NEC Prep Jazz program MUST set up a Jazz placement audition meeting with the Jazz department chair. (Students that have only participated in Jazz Lab and Youth Jazz Orchestra are considered new prep Jazz students. New students who intend to participate on campus MUST attend their audition in person and play for and with the Jazz Department Chair.)
New students that intend to only study online that live too far away to come to campus for a placement audition will be emailed a Zoom link for their placement meeting, but should also sign up for an appointment above if the times work for them. They should also submit two contrasting recorded pieces to their Embark application before their placement meeting.
The Fall 2022 Jazz Placement auditions are on*:
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Saturday, September 10th
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Tuesday, September 13th
*If the dates and times above do not work for a placement meeting, email prepplacements@necmusic.edu as soon as possible to set up another placement meeting.
Students returning to the NEC Prep Jazz program do not need to have a placement meeting but are welcome to do so.
Returning Jazz students that are adding a new instrument or voice should set up a placement meeting appointment.
All new Jazz students and returning Jazz students that intend to take Jazz Theory or Jazz Styles for the first time need to fill out a Jazz Theory Placement Test, so that the Jazz department chairs know what students are familiar with, and can advise them on placement.
Use the link below to print out the test:
Students should leave blank any questions they do not understand, then take a picture of this test and email it to prepjazz@necmusic.edu before their Jazz placement meeting.
After the placement meeting, the Chair will confirm your choices with a follow up appointment or email.
STEP 3: Once your choices have been confirmed, you must register and pay for your selections by clicking the button below:
This is the final step to confirm your place in the Jazz program. If you have trouble with registration contact the Prep Office or call 617-585-1160.
Please note: When registering for Jazz private lessons, Active Educate (NEC Prep's registration system) requires the word “Jazz” before the subject.
For students familiar to Jazz Small ensemble playing/singing:
Prepare two contrasting pieces, preferably from standard Jazz repertoire (which could include related styles like funk, blues, bossa, etc.), where you can play the melody (or accompany it on bass and drums), accompany a soloist with chords (if you are a guitarist or pianist) and improvise. The chair and assistant chair will accompany you. Bring two concert key copies of lead sheets of the pieces you would like to play.
For students that are new to Jazz:
Prepare two contrasting pieces in whatever style you are comfortable with, although at least one of the pieces should demonstrate your ability to play/sing in strict metric time (music that has a driving rhythm and stays in a steady tempo). If you have only played solo pieces, that is fine. The chair and assistant chair will ask you to do some simple improvisation accompanied by them, to see how you respond to rhythm.
Students that want to study composition/songwriting should upload files to embark or email links for audio and/or to prepjazz@necmusic.edu.
Drum set, guitar amp, bass amp, and piano are provided at your placement meeting. Drummers need to bring a snare drum, hi hat, ride and crash cymbals, hi hat clutch, sticks (and brushes if you have them).
Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled placement meeting.
At the end of your placement meeting, you will be scheduled for a follow-up meeting with the Department Chair to confirm your private lesson, classroom courses, and ensemble choices. Once those choices are registered for and paid for, the chairs will schedule you and notify you on the following dates of your schedule.
Contact prepjazz@necmusic.edu for any questions about the department.
Links
2022 Fall Jazz Placement Form
Link to Jazz Ensemble Information
Link to Jazz Classroom Course Information
Link to Jazz Private Lesson Information
Link to Jazz Faculty (search)