Performances + Events
NEC Prep Applications, Auditions, and Registration
At NEC, music is everywhere, and the halls buzz with energy. Here, superb conservatory faculty guides a community of spirited young people, from absolute beginners to the most advanced students, through an exciting musical journey. It’s conservatory-level training in an open-enrollment setting, where our students rise to the challenge of rigorous music-making and relish being with other kids who love it, too.
NEC Prep is one of the largest programs of its kind in the nation, with 1,500 students from across New England participating weekly in lessons, classes, and ensembles. There’s so much on offer here and so many opportunities for your child. We invite your family to join us and make NEC Prep your musical home.
Applications for NEC Prep are due August 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Frequently Asked Questions
NEC Prep is open to students ages 0-18. From beginners to experienced players, all young people with an interest in music are welcome! To review all of our offerings, see our Course Catalog.
At NEC Prep, students can either participate in registration-based programming or apply for placement-based programming. Placement-based programming requires submission of video materials or a live audition via our application prior to enrolling in the class or ensemble.
For registration-based programs, students can sign up directly in our registration system, ASAP.
To learn which offerings are registration-based and which require a placement, check out our Understanding Registration vs. Placement section below
Applications for NEC Prep are due August 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
For more information about additional deadlines, see the Application Timeline section below.
A $40 non-refundable fee will be charged per application. This fee covers all auditions for as many ensembles, classes, or activities for which a student wishes to apply.
Yes! NEC Prep awards more than $250,000 annually in financial aid. Students are welcome to apply at any time. However, the earlier you register and apply, the better your chances of receiving aid. Applications for the upcoming school year are available on April 15 and can be found in the Parent/Guardian Portal.
In addition to financial aid, students registered for 30 or 36 private lessons during the academic year are eligible for discounted rates on ensembles and classes, as well as participation in workshops, recitals, and masterclasses.
Registration for the 2025-2026 year will open on June 15, 2025.
No, audition videos should not include piano accompaniment. Please submit unaccompanied audition videos wherever possible.
How to Enroll
Fall 2025–2026 Enrollment
The application for Fall 2025–2026 is now open!
Registration instructions will be included in your placement email, which we will send after reviewing your materials.
Apply NowSpring and Summer 2025 Enrollment
If you’re interested in starting private lessons or select programming in Spring or Summer 2025, please complete the “Request Information” form below. A team member will reach out based on your responses. Be sure to specify whether you’re looking to start now or later. We are accepting applications for sessions from April through September 2025.
Request InformationUnderstanding Registration vs. Placement
At NEC Prep, students can either participate in registration-based programming or submit an application for placement-based programming. Placement-based programming requires submission of video materials or a live audition prior to enrolling in the class, while registration-based programming does not require video materials or auditions. See below for a breakdown of registration vs. placement-based programming:
Registration-based programming does not require video materials or auditions prior to enrolling in the activity. Registration for the 2025-2026 year will open on June 15, 2025. Current registration-based programming includes:
Electives
- Alexander Technique
- Composition Seminar
- Young Composer’s Seminar
- Oboe Reed-Making
- Let’s Improv Classical!
Early Childhood Programming
- Music Discovery
- Musical Explorers
- Jazz Explorers
- Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE)
- Twinklegarten
- Little Penguins Prep Chorus
- Dalcroze Eurhythmics: Musical Foundations
Returning Students
- Returning private lesson students continuing with their same instructor(s)
- Returning orchestra students who wish to continue with their current orchestra
- Returning students participating in Music Theory/Eurhythmics classes, Piano Seminars, or Suzuki group classes who received a placement recommendation during end-of-year evaluations do not need to submit an application for those programs
Placement-based programming requires video materials or a live audition via the Prep Application prior to enrolling in the activity. Placement-based programming includes:
- Large Ensembles
- Orchestras
- Choruses
- Wind Ensembles
- Baroque Ensembles
- Youth Jazz Orchestra
- Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar (CHIPS) Program
- Chamber Music
- Contemporary Musical Arts (CMA)
- Private Lessons
- Piano Seminars
- Sight-Reading for Pianists
- Suzuki Program (Group Classes & Private Lessons)
- Jazz Program (Classes, Small Ensembles, and Private Lessons)
- Music Theory / Ear Training / Eurhythmics
- Classes (ages 8+)
- Voice Classes
Application Timeline for Placement-Based Programming
- April 15: 2025-2026 Application opens
- May 17: Round 1 financial aid deadline; Application deadline for CHIPS and Large Ensembles
- Mid-June: Placement decisions for CHIPS and Large Ensembles distributed; Round 1 financial aid decisions distributed
- August 1: Round 2 financial aid deadline; application deadline for placement-based programs:
- Chamber Music
- Contemporary Musical Arts (CMA)
- Diction for Singers
- Eurhythmics
- Jazz
- Theory
- Piano Seminar
- Private Lessons
- Sight-Reading for Pianists
- Suzuki
- Vocal Theatre Lab
- August 30: All remaining placement decisions released and round 2 financial aid decisions distributed
All placement decisions will include a registration deadline. Registration must be completed before this deadline for students to participate in programming.
Rolling Admissions: After August 30, applications will continue to be accepted on a space-available basis. Private lessons can be started at any time during the year. Rolling admissions for our other offerings, such as classes and ensembles, is at the discretion of the instructors.
Auditions and Placements
We welcome students of all levels, ranging from absolute beginners to the highly advanced. Most classes and ensembles at NEC Prep require a placement or audition through our application. Our faculty use their wealth of experience and knowledge to make sure students are placed in the appropriate ensemble or class for their skill level or with an appropriate private lesson teacher who will help them grow.
Students may enroll in any program of lessons, classes, or ensembles for which they qualify, as determined by audition or placement. We also provide offerings that do not require an audition or placement materials to be submitted. Registration for those offerings will open on June 15, 2025.
Students registered for 30 or 36 private lessons during the academic year are eligible for discounted rates on ensembles and classes, as well as participation in workshops, recitals, and masterclasses.
Who needs to submit an application?
- New Prep students interested in placement-based programming
- Current Prep students who wish to audition for a different ensemble
- Current Jr. Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble and Sr. Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble students
- Current CHIPS and Chamber Music students
- Current students who wish to add new lessons or activities to their schedule
Audition and Placement Requirements
Placement Requirements
Please record and submit videos with the following:
- Prepare two contrasting works. One work should demonstrate technical facility, and the other work should demonstrate lyrical playing.
- Prepare two scales.
- Additional video recordings of ensemble performances are welcome but not required.
For students with a strong interest in chamber music, NEC Prep is excited to offer the Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar (CHIPS)! CHIPS offers advanced students an in-depth chamber music immersion experience, with an emphasis on enhancing chamber music skills and performance practice at a high artistic level. Led by faculty members Laura Blustein and Soovin Kim, accepted students will be placed into a string quartet or piano trio and assigned repertoire to study over the year. The CHIPS program is open to violinists, violists, cellists, and pianists.
Significant emphasis will be placed on performance; groups will have the opportunity to perform in recitals at NEC and in the community, as well as potential international performance opportunities. This year’s student-artists performed in masterclasses led by renowned musicians such as Donald Weilerstein and Miriam Fried. Past guest artists include the Verona Quartet, Paul Biss, Roger Tapping, Peter Salaff, Paul Katz, Areta Zhulla, and Kim Kashkashian. Given the intensity of this program, attendance at all CHIPS events is required.
Interested violinists, violists, cellists, and pianists between the ages of 13 and 18 years old are encouraged to apply.
Audition Requirements:
- Two contrasting solo pieces or movements from different works
- CHIPS Audition Excerpts
Children’s Choir
All new students ages 6-13 are required to audition via video.
Requirements: Students should sing any song they feel comfortable and confident performing a cappella. It could be “Happy Birthday”, a folk song, lullaby, patriotic song, a tune from a musical, etc. It does not need to be memorized, but it should be a melody they like to sing. Additionally, students should upload one video explaining why they love to sing and any other details that NEC Prep should know.
Chamber Chorus
All new students grades 4-6 are required to audition via video.
Requirements: students should sing any song they feel comfortable and confident performing a cappella. It could be “Happy Birthday”, a folk song, lullaby, patriotic song, a tune from a musical, etc. It does not need to be memorized, but it should be a melody they like to sing. Additionally, students should upload one video explaining why they love to sign and any other details that NEC Prep should know.
Youth Chorale
Open to students grades 9-12 who are interested in being in a like-minded choral community. Previous experience in a chorus is not required, though all interested applicants are expected to have fundamental music reading skills (i.e. knowledge of major key signatures, basic rhythm and note-reading/naming skills, etc.).
All new students are required to complete a live audition. Auditions will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025. Auditioning applicants should prepare two contrasting selections of their choice, i.e. an art song, Broadway musical selection, folk song, etc. Two contrasting languages are preferred, but not required. Applicants are welcome to perform with an accompanist.
Placement Requirements
Please record and submit videos with the following:
- Two contrasting pieces, on any instrument, in any style of your choice.
- Two scales of your choice.
All students new to the jazz program are required to complete a placement meeting and audition with the jazz department chairs after they submit their application.
Students who are jazz beginners: During the audition, students will be asked to play two contrasting pieces in whatever they are comfortable with. At least one of the pieces should demonstrate the ability to play/sing in strict metric time (music that has a driving rhythm and stays in a steady tempo). Students may be asked to do some simple improvisation accompanied by the jazz department chairs.
Students who are familiar with jazz and/or small ensemble playing or singing: During the audition, students will be asked to play two contrasting pieces, preferably from standard Jazz repertoire. This can include related styles like funk, blues, bossa, etc. Students will be asked to play the melody (or accompany it on bass and rums), and accompany a soloist with chords if you are a guitarist or pianist. Students will also be asked to improvise.
The orchestra audition requirements below are the same for both orchestra and Baroque ensembles.
The most important thing is that you present your best playing and select works that you (in consultation with your private teacher) have prepared in advance of your audition. Audition pieces should be works that you know well and that demonstrate your range of technical abilities and musicianship.
String, Wind, Brass, and Harp
Audition Requirements:
- Prepare two contrasting solo works or two contrasting movements from the same work. Avoid cadenzas or cadenza-style pieces.
- Prepare two scales of your choice in any mode, any key.
Students who wish to be considered for placement in Junior Repertory Orchestra, Youth Repertory Orchestra, String Chamber Orchestra, Youth Symphony, and Youth Philharmonic Orchestra must also prepare the orchestral excerpts available below. The orchestral excerpts are an essential component of our audition process, so please prepare the excerpts thoroughly. They are an important part of our consideration in placing each performer at the proper level.
Students who would like to be considered for the String Training Orchestra, Preparatory String Orchestra, and the String Repertory Orchestra are not required to play excerpts. Students should consult with their private teacher for guidance on if they should be preparing orchestra excerpts.
Students who would like to be considered for the Junior Repertory Orchestra (JRO) and the Youth Repertory Orchestra (YRO) should submit:
- Two contrasting solo works or two contrasting movements from the same work, each approximately three minutes in length. Avoid cadenzas or cadenza-style pieces.
- Two scales of your choice in any mode, any key.
- Excerpt no. one for their instrument from the PDF below.
Students who would like to be considered for the Youth Symphony (YS) and the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO)
- Two contrasting solo works or two contrasting movements from the same work, each a minimum of five minutes in length. Avoid cadenzas or cadenza-style pieces.
- Two scales of your choice in any mode, any key.
- Excerpt no. one, two, and three for their instrument from the PDF below.
* Students that prepare the YS and the YPO excerpts will automatically be considered for the String Chamber Orchestra (SCO)
Please note: Excerpts for auxiliary wind instruments — piccolo, English horn, or bass clarinet — are optional. However, flutists and oboists who would like to be considered for Youth Symphony or Youth Philharmonic Orchestra are encouraged to submit the piccolo and the English Horn excerpts as they may be asked to play these auxiliary instruments.
Students who would like to be considered for the String Chamber Orchestra but not YS or YPO should submit:
- two contrasting solo works or two contrasting movements from the same work. Avoid cadenzas or cadenza-style pieces.
- two scales of your choice in any mode, any key.
- SCO Audition Excerpt for your instrument.
Percussion
Students who would like to be considered for the Junior Repertory Orchestra (JRO) and the Youth Repertory Orchestra (YRO) should submit:
- Three solo pieces or sections of solo pieces: one on timpani, one on snare, and one on mallets.
Students who would like to be considered for the Youth Symphony (YS) and the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO) should submit:
- Three solo pieces or sections of solo pieces: one on timpani, one on snare, and one on mallets.
- Excerpt no. one, two, and three from the PDF below.
Piano and Harpsichord
Piano students may audition to play harpsichord in the Baroque Ensembles.
- Prepare two scales of your choice in any mode, any key.
- Prepare two contrasting solo works or two contrasting movements from the same work. Avoid cadenzas or cadenza-style pieces.
Orchestra Excerpts
All students are required to participate in a live audition, after submitting their application. During the audition, students will be asked to present two contrasting pieces of different style periods (not concerto, no contrasting sonata movements).
Beginners (New to the Instrument)
For those who are just getting started with their instrument, please record videos with the following:
- Say a few sentences about yourself, including your name, age, and why you want to play the instrument you have selected.
- Sing your favorite song or play something on an instrument you might be studying at your school (any instrument).
Non-Beginners (Some Experience)
For those interested in private lessons who have experience on their instrument, please record and submit videos with the following:
- Two contrasting solo pieces of your choice
- Two scales in any mode or key
Beginners (New to the Instrument)
For those who are just getting started with their instrument, please record and submit videos with the following:
- Say a few sentences about yourself, including your name, age, and why you want to play the instrument you have selected.
- Sing your favorite song or play something on an instrument you might be studying at your school (any instrument).
Non-Beginners (Some Experience)
For those interested in private lessons who have experience on their instrument, please record and submit videos with the following:
- One short video introducing yourself, including your name, age, how many years you have been playing, and what pieces you are recording for the submission.
- One scale (with or without arpeggios)
- Two contrasting Suzuki pieces performed from memory.
All new students will sign up for an in-person placement meeting after submitting their application. No preparation is needed for this meeting.
If students wish to participate in a Prep Eurhythmics offering, they should submit the following in their application:
Eurhythmics Beginners
For those who are just getting started with their instrument, please record and submit one short video with the following:
- Say a few sentences about yourself, including your name, age, and why you are interested in music.
- Sing a song you enjoy.
- Optional: Play something on your instrument.
Eurhythmics Non-Beginners
For those interested in private lessons who have experience on their instrument, please record and submit videos with the following:
- Play two contrasting pieces of your choice on your instrument.
- Sing a song you enjoy.
Wind Ensemble auditions include Sr. MYWE, MYWE Concert Band, and Jr. MYWE. Audition requirements are determined by grade level for the 2025–2026 academic year.
Sr. MYWE
Open to students in Grades 10-12. All students are required to audition.
Requirements: Students should prepare 2 contrasting pieces at the All-State level. Additionally, students should submit three scales: two scales should be of the students’ choice, one major and one minor, up to four sharps/flats. The third scale should be a chromatic scale in the range of the students’ choice.
Percussionists should prepare three pieces: one on timpani, one on snare, and one on mallets. There are no scales required.
MYWE Concert Band
Open to students in Grades 9-12.
Students who audition for Sr. MYWE but are not selected will be placed in MYWE Concert Band, upon approval of the MYWE Concert Band conductor. 9th graders who audition for Jr. MYWE but are not placed will also be placed in MYWE Concert Band, upon approval from the MYWE Concert Band conductor.
10th-12th graders who do not audition for Senior MYWE may apply for MYWE Concert Band without an audition if they submit a written recommendation from their high school band/orchestra director (placement is based on available space). Students looking to submit a recommendation letter should fill out an application and will receive instructions for submitting a recommendation letter.
Jr. MYWE
Open to students in Grades 6-9. All students are required to audition.
Requirements: Students should prepare one solo piece at the Junior District level. Additionally, students should submit three scales. Two scales should be of the students’ choice (major or minor, up to three flats and three sharps). The third scale should be a chromatic scale in the range of the students’ choice. All Jr. MYWE applicants will also be required to submit the excerpt for their instrument from the document below.
Youth Brass Ensemble
If you participated for these ensembles in the 2024-2025 year, you do not need to re-audition.
Requirements:
Grades 6-9 in Fall of 2025
- Students should prepare two contrasting selections at the Junior District level.
- Additionally, students should be prepared to play scales up to three flats and three sharps plus a chromatic scale.
Grades 10-12 in Fall of 2025
- Students should prepare two contrasting selections at the All-State level.
- Additionally, students should be prepared to play scales up to four flats and four sharps plus a chromatic scale.
New students are required to audition.
Brass and Saxophone
Solo Pieces: Prepare one medium tempo jazz piece of your choice (you should not play a ballad). Pieces by Ellington, Parker, Gershwin, Mingus, Monk, Porter, etc. are acceptable standards.
Scales: Prepare Major scales in concert pitch: B flat and F (two octaves if possible). Prepare minor scales in concert pitch: C and A (two octaves if possible). Scales should be prepared in the following tempo: Eighth Note = 60 bpm.
Piano, Guitar and Bass
Solo Pieces: Prepare one medium tempo jazz piece of your choice (you should not play a ballad). Pieces by Ellington, Parker, Gershwin, Mingus, Monk, Porter, etc. are acceptable standards.
Scales: Prepare Major scales in concert pitch: B flat and F (two octaves if possible). Prepare minor scales in concert pitch: C and A (two octaves if possible). Scales should be prepared in the following tempo: Eighth Note = 60 bpm.
Prepare a video comp/walking over a 12 bar blues.
Drummers
Please play various tempos, swings, and Latin grooves. It is not necessary to present the requirements listed above.
