I Want to Compose

Every musician is a composer. Students as young as eight can start learning to hear and create the elements of music.

Welcome to NEC Prep

Young composers have many opportunities to develop and expand their skills, including Today’s Youth Perform Today’s Music festival, playing their own pieces and those of friends. This video gives a brief overview of the range of Prep activities.

Steven Karidoyanes shakes hands with a young composer

Jeremiah Klarman, here being congratulated after a performance by Steven Karidoyanes and the Youth Symphony, went on from his Prep studies to be a Composition major in the NEC College program...

...where as an NEC senior he recently premiered his own composition "Heavenly Union," accompanying soprano Moira Loh from the keyboard.

Peter Maxwell Davies Prep composition masterclass

Composition students have the chance to learn from leading composers like Sir Peter Maxwell Davies...

...and William Bolcom, shown here giving feedback to a Prep composer/violinist during a Today's Youth Perform Today's Music workshop.

Who We Are

Ginny R. Latts

Recent News

Fri, October 30

The Boston Globe | New album in hand, cellist Mike Block rallies musicians to play at the polls

Contemporary Improvisation faculty member Mike Block has launched Play for the Vote, which now includes hundreds of musicians in 40 states and the District of Columbia, but began with a simple idea: "“[I thought], ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if I went down to the polling station and just played music all day for everyone who was voting?’ ”

Tue, October 27

Listening to Perspectives on Cultural Equity and Belonging: Part Five

In today's recap, four distinguished Black alumni share their vision of what NEC looks and feels like when it has lived up to its commitment of cultural equity and belonging. Our panelists are Carmen Johnson-Pájaro ’18 MM Violin Performance, deVon Russell Gray ’01 Composition, Darynn Dean ’18 Jazz Studies, and John Alexander Garner ’06 Vocal Performance.

Mon, October 26

Listening to Perspectives on Cultural Equity and Belonging: Part Four

Cheryl Susheel Bibbs ’70 MM discusses the social and political turmoil that led to the cancelation of the 1970 graduation ceremony, and shares her ideas and suggestions in support of breaking down "otherness" and increasing inclusion and diversity at NEC.

Fri, October 23

Listening to Perspectives on Cultural Equity and Belonging: Part Three

In today's recap, we revisit the third NEC Perspectives Forum, in which Stanford Thompson sat down for a conversation with alumnus Dr. Darryl Harper '08 DMA, examining the history of NEC in the larger context of Black Studies and Jazz Studies programs across the United States.

Wed, October 21

Listening to Perspectives on Cultural Equity and Belonging: Part One

The NEC Perspectives Forums, launched this summer, have provided an opportunity for students, alumni, and faculty to discuss how the past, present, and future of an NEC where everyone feels that they belong. The first set of forums focused on the Black experience at NEC, and lays the groundwork for future forums discussing a wide array of opportunities to create equity and belonging.

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