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 PLE (Performance Level Evaluation) to receive the certificate. Work at each certificate level normally requires two years of study. For all levels of the certificate program, students must be enrolled in private lessons through NEC Prep.
Level I—For Beginning Students
- Meet instrumental repertoire & technique requirements; composers must write one movement of sufficient scope
- Complete Music Theory I
Level II—For Intermediate Students
- Meet instrumental repertoire & 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 1 year of chamber ensemble or a large ensemble
Pianists: Complete 1 year of Piano Duo or Chamber Music, and 1 semester of Sight-Reading for Pianists
Composers: Complete 1 year of Composition Seminar at Level II
Level III—For Lower Advanced Students
- Meet instrumental repertoire & technique requirements; composers must write an extended work for solo instrument or ensemble
- Complete Music Theory III (2 years)
- Present half or full recital program
- Complete one of the following at Level III: Fundamentals of Improvisation, The Art of Performance and Practice, Introduction to Composing with Electronics, Alexander Technique for Signers and Instrumentalists, or Songwriting.
- Complete one year of chorus at Level III or Level IV. (This is in addition to the Level II chorus requirement.)
Additional Departmental Requirements:
Strings, Winds, Brass, Percussion: Complete 1 year of a large ensemble, and 1 year of intermediate level chamber ensemble (Percussion Ensemble for percussionists)
Pianists: Complete 1 year each of Piano Duo and Chamber Music in Level III or Level IV, and 1 year of Piano Seminar at Level III
Composers: Complete 1 year of Composition Seminar at Level III
Level IV—For Upper Advanced Students
- Meet instrumental repertoire & technique requirements; composers must write an extended work for ensemble
- Complete Music Theory IV (2 years)
- Present full recital program
- Complete one of the following at Level III: Fundamentals of Improvisation, The Art of Performance and Practice, Introduction to Composing with Electronics, Alexander Technique for Signers and Instrumentalists, or Songwriting (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 1 year of a large ensemble, and 1 year of chamber ensemble (Percussion Ensemble for percussionists)
Pianists: Complete 1 year each of Piano Duo and Chamber Music in Level III or Level IV, and 1 year of Advanced Piano Seminar at Level IV
Composers: Complete 1 year of Composition Seminar at Level IV