Spring Auditions for Prep Large Ensembles
Thank you to all students who recently took a large ensemble audition. At this time, the large ensemble audition period for the 2018 - 2019 academic year has passed. Additional audition times may be available in the fall, pending space availability. If you are interested in more information, please contact the Prep Office at 617-585-1160.
2018 Audition Dates
Each May, NEC Prep holds auditions for large ensemble entrance to and advancement within the program for the following school year. Auditions for the 2018-2019 large ensembles will take place May 6-19, 2018. Auditions are scheduled online beginning March 1st.
*Please note that when scheduling an audition using the online system, if one of the below dates is unavailable for your selection, then that date is full for your audition type. This list will be updated if new audition days are added.
Baroque Ensembles
Sunday, May 6
Tuesday, May 15
Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar
Friday, May 11
Friday, May 18
Children's Choruses
Thursday, May 10
Saturday, May 12
MYWE (Grades 6-9)
Sunday, May 6
Friday, May 11
Sunday, May 13
MYWE (Grades 10-12)
Friday, May 11
Sunday, May 13
Friday, May 18
Orchestra (Harp)
Saturday, May 19
Orchestra (Percussion)
Saturday, May 12
Saturday, May 19
Orchestra (Strings)
Sunday, May 6
Tuesday, May 8
Wednesday, May 9
Thursday, May 10
Friday, May 11
Sunday, May 13
Tuesday, May 15
Orchestra (Woodwinds/Brass)
Sunday, May 6
Friday, May 11
Sunday, May 13
Youth Choruses
Sunday, May 13
Saturday, May 19
Youth Brass Ensemble
Friday, May 11
Youth Jazz Orchestra
Saturday, May 12
Thursday, May 17
YPO Callbacks
Saturday, May 12
Sunday, May 13
Audition Repertoire
Audition repertoire can vary by instrument and audition type. For audition repertoire requirements, click here.
Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO) Callbacks
YPO is NEC Prep's senior-most orchestra. Students who are interested in auditioning for YPO need to prepare specific excerpts in addition to the general audition repertoire requirements. PDF versions of the excerpts can be found on the Spring Auditions Requirements page.
Students new to the NEC Prep orchestra program must take a general orchestra audition to be considered for a YPO callback. Students currently in our Youth Symphony are automatically eligible for a YPO callback audition.
Large Ensemble Spring Audition FAQ
How do I schedule an audition?
Beginning in March, students may sign up for an audition time by clicking here. New students to the NEC Prep large ensemble program can create an account. Students who are currently enrolled in our large ensemble program or students who have previously auditioned for NEC Prep large ensembles will already have an account. If you are unsure of your log-in credentials, please DO NOT create a duplicate account for the student. Contact the Prep office for further assistance.
I'm currently enrolled in one of the large ensembles. Do I need to re-audition?
Students who are currently enrolled in our orchestra and chorus program and would like to advance to a higher level group must re-audition each year. Additionally, all students currently enrolled in Jr. MYWE, MYWE Concert Band, Sr. MYWE, Baroque Ensembles, and YJO must re-audition each year. All other students who are satisfied with their current placement do not need to re-audition.
What is my username?
Your username is the email address you provided as the student email address when the account was created. The e-mail you provided for the student is the username you can use to log-in again this year to sign-up for an audition. If you need help identifying your username, please contact us! Please DO NOT create a duplicate account for the student.
I logged in, and now I reached a screen that says "Review Account: Contact Information and Password." How do I schedule the audition?
You're on the right track! When you first log-in for the new year as a returning student, the system will ask you to you review your information to make sure it is still up-to-date. This is also an opportunity to add new information about musical extracurricular activities and to add any new instruments. Keep going, and you will end up at the scheduling component.
I have more than one child who would like to audition. Do I have to create separate accounts for each of them?
Yes. A separate student username with a distinct email address must be created for each student. It is helpful to use secondary email addresses for each student to be able to log-in on each separate account. Email confirmations and reminders are sent to all student and parent email address, so as long as the parent lists their primary email under parent information, parents will not miss information regarding each child.
How much does it cost to audition for large ensembles?
There is an annual non-refundable $40 audition fee per student to audition for our large ensembles. Once this fee is paid, you can audition for as many different types of groups as you would like. Payments can be made by card, cash, or check. Checks should be written out to "New England Conservatory" and can be mailed to NEC Prep Auditions, 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 or dropped off in person to the main Prep Office: 33 Gainsborough Street, Boston, MA 02115.
I scheduled an audition, but I need to reschedule. How do I do that?
You can reschedule your audition by logging into your account, canceling your scheduled audition, then selecting a new audition time. Unfortunately, our audition system does not have a "reschedule" option. You must first cancel your audition before scheduling a new one.
What if I don’t know my audition pieces yet?
If you are unsure what you will play in your audition, don’t worry! We suggest writing, “TBD” or “Undecided” in the blanks. Then, once you know what you will perform, log back into your audition account and fill in the correct composer names and piece titles.
We recommend that you update your repertoire information at least one week before your audition.
I've already submitted my repertoire but now I would like to change it. How do I do that?
You can change your repertoire by logging into your account and following the "Edit Your Audition Movements" link.
Which pieces am I supposed to prepare for the audition?
Spring audition repertoire requirements can be found by clicking here.
What are the tuition rates for the large ensembles?
Our tuition and fees for the current academic year can be found here.
After I audition, when will I find out about my audition placement?
Audition results will be released via email (to all student and parent email addresses associated with the student's account) on June 15, 2018.