Spring Auditions for Prep Large Ensembles

2019 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 2019-2020 large ensembles will take place May 5-18, 2019. 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, that means the date is full for your audition type. This list will be updated if new audition days are added.

Baroque Ensembles
Sunday, May 12
Tuesday, May 14

Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar
Friday, May 17
Saturday, May 18

Children's Choruses
Friday, May 10
Friday, May 17

MYWE (Grades 6-9)
Sunday, May 5
Sunday, May 12
Tuesday, May 14

MYWE (Grades 10-12)
Sunday, May 5
Sunday, May 12
Friday, May 17

Orchestra (Harp)
Saturday, May 18

Orchestra (Percussion)
Saturday, May 11
Saturday, May 18

Orchestra (Strings)
Sunday, May 5
Tuesday, May 7
Wednesday, May 8
Thursday, May 9
Friday, May 10
Sunday, May 12
Tuesday, May 14

Orchestra (Woodwinds/Brass)
Sunday, May 5
Friday, May 10
Sunday, May 12
Tuesday, May 14

Youth Choruses
Sunday, May 12
Tuesday, May 14

Youth Brass Ensemble
Friday, May 10

Youth Jazz Orchestra
Thursday, May 9
Tuesday, May 14

YPO Callbacks
Saturday, May 11
Sunday, May 12

Audition Repertoire

Audition repertoire can vary by instrument and audition type. For audition repertoire requirements, please visit the Spring Audition Requirements page.

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 contact the Prep office for further assistance. Please DO NOT create a duplicate account for the student.

I'm currently enrolled in one of the large ensembles. Do I need to re-audition?

Orchestra

If you would like to be considered for a higher level orchestra, you must take a spring audition. If you would like to stay in the same ensemble, you do not need to take an audition.

Wind Ensemble

All students must re-audition.

Chorus

If you would like to be considered for a higher level chorus, you must take a spring audition. If you would like to stay in the same chorus, you do not need to take an audition.

Baroque

If you would like to be considered for a higher level ensemble, you must take a spring audition. If you would like to stay in the same ensemble, you do not need to take an audition.

Youth Jazz Orchestra

All students must 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 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'll get to the schedule.

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.

What if I don’t know my audition pieces yet?

If you are unsure about 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 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.

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, 2019.