Performances + Events
Certificate Programs
The NEC Prep Certificate Program is designed for students who are looking for an intentional, advanced path to a comprehensive musical education.
The Certificate Program offers an ambitious, sequential progression of learning, all in the company of other students who share the same goals. Through the program, students are challenged to achieve their optimum performance skills, competence in music theory, and a knowledge of the literature that includes choral, orchestral, and chamber music, as well as solo repertoire.
Apply to NEC Prep
Are you interested in joining our community of young musicians? Learn more about the enrollment process and start your application below.
Please note: for the 2025–2026 academic year, applications for the Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar (CHIPS), Large Ensembles, and financial aid are due May 10, 2025.
Levels of Achievement
There are four levels of achievement in which students are evaluated yearly. While experience has shown that age is not a limiting factor, time is a crucial ingredient in the student’s developing maturity. Work at each certificate level normally requires a minimum of two years of study.
Entry-level placement in the Certificate Program is determined by teacher recommendation and a music theory placement evaluation. To be eligible for the Certificate Program, the student must be registered through NEC Prep for their instrumental or vocal study. Department chairs are available to advise students, monitor progress, and guide curriculum decisions.
The granting of a certificate acknowledges significant achievement in the full range of Prep School activities, including classes, private lessons, and ensembles. The general program and the range of faculty are sufficiently broad to accommodate students of varied outlook, proficiency, and professional intent.
At the close of each academic year, eligible students will be awarded their certificates in a joint ceremony with graduating NEC seniors. Departmental and large ensemble awards are also presented to a number of outstanding seniors.
Certificates in Strings, Winds, Brass, Percussion, Piano, Composition, and Theory
Requirements for the Certificate Program at each of the four levels are outlined below. Exceptions and waivers must be requested in writing and may be granted only by the Faculty Council. Instrumental repertoire and technique requirements vary by level and department. Please consult with your studio teacher or department chair on specific pieces. Students are required to receive a grade of High Pass or higher on their Performance Level Evaluation to receive the certificate. For all levels of the certificate program, students must be enrolled in private lessons through NEC Prep.
- Meet instrumental repertoire and technique requirements; composers must write two movements of sufficient scope
- Complete Music Theory I
- Meet instrumental repertoire and technique requirements; composers must write two movements of sufficient scope
- Complete Music Theory II
- Complete 1 year of chorus
Additional departmental requirements:
- Strings, winds, brass, percussion: Complete one year of chamber ensemble or a large ensemble
- Pianists: Complete one year of Piano Duo or Chamber Music, and one semester of Sight-Reading for Pianists
- Composers: Complete one year of Composition Seminar at Level II
- Meet instrumental repertoire and technique requirements; composers must write an extended work for solo instrument or ensemble
- Complete Music Theory III (two years)
- Present a half or full recital program
- Complete one of the following elective courses at Level III: Introduction to Composing with Electronics, Alexander Technique for Singers and Instrumentalists, Let’s Improv Classical! Improvisation for Classical Kids
- Complete one year of chorus at Level III or Level IV (in addition to the Level II chorus requirement)
Additional departmental requirements:
- Strings, winds, brass, percussion: Complete one year of a large ensemble, and one year of intermediate-level chamber ensemble (Percussion Ensemble for percussionists)
- Piano: Complete one year each of Piano Duo or Chamber Music in Level III or Level IV, and one year of Piano Seminar at Level III
- Composers: Complete one year of Composition Seminar at Level III
- Meet instrumental repertoire and technique requirements; composers must write an extended work for ensemble
- Complete Music Theory IV (two years)
- Present full recital program
- Complete one of the following at Level III: Introduction to Composing with Electronics, Alexander Technique for Singers and Instrumentalists, Let’s Improv Classical! Improvisation for Classical Kids (in addition to the course completed at Level III)
- Complete one year of chorus at Level III or Level IV (in addition to the Level II chorus requirement)
Additional departmental requirements:
- Strings, winds, brass, percussion: Complete one year of a large ensemble, and one year of chamber ensemble (Percussion Ensemble for percussionists)
- Pianists: Complete one year each of Piano Duo and Chamber Music in Level III or Level IV, and one year of Advanced Piano Seminar at Level IV
- Composers: Complete one year of Composition Seminar at Level IV
Jazz Certificate Program
The four-level Prep Jazz Certificate Program gives students the skills they need to advance toward college-level study via private jazz lessons, Small Jazz Ensembles, and classroom courses. By the time students are seniors in this program, they are able to give recitals as bandleaders and are prepared for college-level auditions as music majors and/or to make supplemental application recordings for college. This program is where many jazz students make friends, form their own ensembles, and play recitals together.
The Prep Jazz Certificate Program is very easy to start as a young student, and the majority of Prep Jazz students participate in it. All certificate levels require private jazz lessons through NEC (60, 45, or 30 minutes) with a minimum of 30 lessons during the academic year.
Jazz students often take lessons on the primary instrument that they play in ensembles through NEC. Some students join the Jazz Certificate Program by taking their lessons through NEC on a secondary instrument, voice, or subject, such as improvisation, composition, or arranging. They remain eligible for the Prep Jazz Certificate and the discount rate on each course and ensemble with a minimum of 30 half-hour lessons, although most students choose 60- or 45- minute lessons.
Jazz Certificate recitals can include the student performing on multiple instruments but must feature the instrument or voice that they play or sing in their Small Jazz Ensemble(s). Level III or IV Jazz recitals can occur at NEC’s campus or off campus. Walnut Hill students can give their recitals at Walnut Hill or NEC for Level III, but must give their Level IV recitals at Walnut Hill.
Requirements for the Jazz Certificate Program at each of the four levels are outlined below. Exceptions and waivers must be requested in writing and may be granted only by the Faculty Council. Students are required to receive a grade of Pass or higher on their end-of-year evaluation to receive the certificate.
If you have any questions about the jazz department, please contact prepjazz@necmusic.edu.
- Meet instrumental repertoire and technique requirements
- Complete one jazz classroom course and/or Small Jazz Ensemble
Note: Entering Walnut Hill 9th- or 10th-grade Jazz majors must start at this level.
- Meet instrumental repertoire and technique requirements
- Complete one year of Small Jazz Ensemble
- Complete a total of two classroom courses (one of these can be completed in a Level 1 certificate).
Usually completed in 10th or 11th grade, this is the highest possible level for entering 12th graders. Note: Entering Walnut Hill Jazz majors in 11th or 12th grade, or post-grad, must start at this level.
- Meet instrumental repertoire and technique requirements
- Complete Jazz Styles in the first year
- Complete one year of Small Jazz Ensemble
- Complete either Jazz History or Advanced Jazz Ear Training
- Present a half-recital program (25-35 minutes)
Usually completed in 11th or 12th grade. Note: Walnut Hill Jazz Majors who entered in 9th, 10th or 11th grade must complete this level during 12th grade.
- Meet instrumental repertoire and technique requirements
- Complete Jazz Styles second year
- Complete one year of Small Jazz Ensemble
- Complete Jazz Theory 2 or 3, Jazz History, and Advanced Jazz Ear Training, and have completed Level III Jazz Certificate
- Present a full recital (50-65 minutes)
Voice Certificate
Requirements for the Voice Certificate Program at each of the four levels are outlined below. Exceptions and waivers must be requested in writing and may be granted only by the Faculty Council. Technique requirements vary by level. Please consult with your studio teacher or department chair on specific pieces of repertoire. Students are required to receive a grade of High Pass or higher on their PLE to receive the certificate. Work at each certificate level normally requires two years of study.
- Meet vocal repertoire and technique requirements: Present a minimum of three songs in English (and Italian or other language if the teacher chooses) to be memorized and presented in any order for the year-end PLE evaluation.
- Sing from memory on at least one workshop and/or masterclasses and one departmental recital
- Demonstrate piano proficiency equivalent to one year of piano instruction through one of three options:
- One year of private piano instruction at NEC Prep
- One year of Piano Class for Singers at NEC Prep
- Piano Proficiency Exam – Required of certificate-seeking voice students who do not choose to participate in the two above options. For requirements, see below.
- Complete Music Theory I
- Diction for Singers: at least one of the following: Italian, German, French
Piano proficiency exam requirements:
- Play one solo piece equivalent to at least one year of piano study (does not need to be memorized)
- Play two scales of the student’s choosing: Major and minor, hands together or hands separate
- Sight reading
- Note: The piano proficiency exam only needs to be completed once at Level I
- Meet vocal repertoire and technique requirements: A minimum of four songs in at least two languages (English and Italian required, additional languages if the teacher chooses) to be memorized and presented in any order for the year-end PLE evaluation.
- Sing from memory on at least one workshop and/or masterclasses and two departmental recitals.
- Demonstrate piano proficiency (see Level I)
- Complete one year of NEC Prep Chorus from one of these options: Young Women’s Chorus, Chamber Chorus, CI A Cappella Ensemble, Youth Chorale (or whichever chorus is being offered)
- Complete Music Theory II
- Alexander Technique
- Diction for Singers: Choose at least one of the following:
- Italian, French, German
- Meet vocal repertoire and technique requirements: A minimum of five songs in at least three languages (English and Italian required, plus optional French or German) to be memorized and presented in any order for the year-end PLE evaluation. Student must demonstrate the ability to sing in several different styles.
- Sing from memory on at least 2 workshops and/or masterclasses and two departmental recitals
- Complete one year of Youth Chorale at Level III
- Complete Music Theory III-1
- Diction for Singers: All three languages need to be completed- Italian, German, French
- Demonstrate piano proficiency (see Level I)
- Present half recital program (25 minutes of music)
- Meet vocal repertoire and technique requirements: A minimum of six songs, including English, Italian, German, and French (other languages optional) to be memorized and presented in any order for the year-end PLE evaluation. Student must demonstrate the ability to sing in Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary styles.
- Sing from memory on at least two workshops and three recitals
- Demonstrate piano proficiency (see Level I)
- Complete one year of Youth Chorale at Level IV
- Complete Music Theory III-2
- Elective- Private Lessons in Alexander Technique or Diction for Singers
- Present full recital program (45 minutes of music)
Early Music Certificate
Note: Requirements for the Early Music Certificate are separate from certificate requirements for Strings, Winds, Brass, Percussion, Piano, Composition, and Theory.
Baroque Ensemble Participation
Ensembles selected from: Baroque Chamber Orchestra, Canzona Ensemble, Friday Baroque Ensemble, Preparatory Baroque Ensemble, or small Baroque Chamber Music Group. 4 full year enrollments needed.
One full year enrollment minimum of an Early Instrument (selected from Recorder, Harpsichord, Baroque Violin/Viola/Cello or Viola da Gamba). Students are encouraged to try one of these instruments in addition to their primary.
Complete two one-year Improvisation Classes – Renaissance and Baroque. If courses do not run, the student can cover the material in private improvisation lessons.
Special Early Music Ensemble playing the early instrument they signed up for – Recorder, Baroque Violin/Viola/Cello, Harpsichord or Viola da Gamba for one full-year enrollment. This ensemble counts as one of the 4 in section 1.
