NEC Resource Center

Academic calendar

The fall semester will proceed at its usual length of 14 weeks, beginning in early September and concluding in December. Academic classes will run the entire 14-week semester. To maximize our time together for in-person teaching, learning, and performance, we will prioritize performance-focused work during the period prior to the Thanksgiving break. The period following the Thanksgiving break will be focused on academic work, with additional, new opportunities for masterclasses and informal performance during this time. 

Offering a more academically-focused calendar during the post-Thanksgiving period allows students more time to focus on performance-based work earlier in the semester, and offers extra flexibility for students who might prefer to complete the semester from home following Thanksgiving break. 

Academic calendar outline:

• September 9 – November 24: Performance-based work, studio lessons, and academic classes (note: academic work will be lighter prior to Thanksgiving to enable prioritization of performance-based work).
• November 24 – December 18: Intensive classes, plus regular schedule of studio lessons.  Informal performances and online masterclasses will also be available, though not required.  

In general, the schedule for rehearsals and classes will follow NEC’s typical semester schedule, with the majority of rehearsals and coachings taking place in the mornings, and classes in the afternoon. 

Academic deadlines for the fall semester have been updated to account for the new structure of the semester, e.g. or add/drop, course withdrawal. See the Academic Calendar page for more info. 

View the full Academic Calendar

Flexible learning

We remain committed to providing students with the choice of two learning options for the fall, as previously described in Welcome Back, NEC : a hybrid experience for Boston-based students, with socially-distanced, in-person music-making on campus; and a fully-online experience for remote students. The Office of Student Services will be in touch to confirm your learning option for the fall.  
 
Hybrid Option for Boston-based students

• Academic Classes: online, to promote safety and to allow flexible use of the classroom spaces for performance-based work;
• Studio Lessons and Performance-based Classes: in-person, online, or hybrid (in-person and online), as determined collaboratively between faculty and students. Each studio will be offered the option of at least one studio class in Jordan Hall during the fall semester;
• Ensembles: in-person ensembles, appropriately-sized and scheduled for safety
• Performances: in-person performances in NEC concert halls, streamed, with small, internal audiences pending health conditions and governmental requirements. Additionally, a new masterclass series will be offered online after thanksgiving break. 
• NOTE: All students electing the hybrid option will  be required to participate in NEC’s COVID-19 testing program, and to comply with all health and safety policies.   
   

Fully-remote Option 

• Academic Classes: online, offered asynchronously;
• Studio Lessons and Performance-based Classes: online, with faculty access to  low-latency technology and NEC facilities to teach;
• Ensembles: remote students will not be required to register for ensembles, but instead will have three options: i.Register for online ensembles ii.Take alternative courses iii.Hold the credit to use in subsequent semester at no cost;
• Performances: opportunities to participate in performances digitally will be available through the semester, as well as a new masterclass series offered online after thanksgiving break.
• Tuition and fee credits offered for students pursuing this option - please see the Tuition and Fee Changes section, below.
• NOTE: Students electing a fully-remote option will not be included in NEC’s COVID-19 testing program, and therefore will not have access to campus facilities. 

Health and wellness

The health, wellness, and safety of our students and faculty is our first priority.  We have conducted a thorough assessment of all practice rooms, studios, classrooms, and rehearsal spaces to assess issues such as safe distancing, air-flow, traffic-flow, etc. Room assignments for classes, lessons, and rehearsals are being made accordingly. For more information on health and safety procedures, see the Health and Wellness section.

Studio lessons

• Studio lessons will take place over the 14-week semester, with students and faculty working individually to arrange schedules. Lessons will be available on an in-person basis throughout the semester, although some studio faculty may prefer to teach digitally because of health or travel concerns. A comprehensive assessment of all studio spaces has been conducted in the interest of health and wellness, and some studio locations will be changed to larger spaces to accommodate safe distancing. For students and/or faculty who are unable to participate on-campus, lessons can also be conducted through enhanced digital means. 

• Modality of studio lessons - We are working closely with all studio teachers to determine their plans for the fall semester, whether it be in-person, online, or a hybrid model; furthermore, we are confirming which rooms/studios/spaces are appropriate for teaching studio lessons, making sure that we are following public health guidelines. We anticipate having confirmed information from faculty by the end of the week of July 20, and will communicate this to students by individual studios. 

• We are also working with NEC faculty to develop exciting, new low-latency infrastructure that places the Conservatory at the cutting edge of digital performance. We are, for example, in the final stages of testing a platform which will allow for small ensembles (classical, Jazz, and CI) to play together, within a 500-mile radius, with no noticeable audio/video lag or latency. More information about this initiative will be forthcoming later this summer. 

• The accompanying system for strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion remains in place; however, any rehearsals with pianists must take place in approved rooms, and studio lessons with piano must follow safe distancing guidelines. Markings on the floor of teaching and rehearsal spaces will ensure that students l know the proper social-distancing measurement. 

• The system to assign pianists for voice lessons remains in place; however, rehearsals with pianists must take place in approved rooms, and lessons with piano must follow safe distancing guidelines.  Markings on the floor of the teaching and rehearsal spaces will ensure that that students know the proper social distancing. 

• NEC has conducted a comprehensive assessment of all studio, rehearsal, performance, and teaching spaces on our campus, and we have consulted with numerous public health officials and other institutions in designing and implementing safety protocols for each of these spaces. Students will find measures such as enhanced cleaning and sanitization, the availability of sanitizing supplies, the use of transparent shields (e.g. glass, plexiglass), modified furniture configurations to promote safe distancing, and room capacity considerations. To ensure maximum safety, we schedule studios to be unoccupied for 15-30 minutes between uses for air exchange. 

Post-Thanksgiving programming

Masterclasses & informal performances 

• As a complement to the performance-based work in the months prior to Thanksgiving, NEC will present a new series of online masterclasses to students in each department, accessible whether on campus or at home. Furthermore, for those students who remain in Boston after Thanksgiving, there will be opportunities for informal performance activity. Specific details will be announced in further updates over the summer.

Learning platforms

• All courses will utilize NEC's online learning tools, which include established systems such as Zoom, Neo, and Microsoft Office 365, and NEC ON (Woolf), a new, fully-integrated learning platform for classes that will be offered alongside Neo. These platforms will offer course materials, readings, videos and academic lessons will be found within this new environment. We are also offering NEC-wide Zoom functionality to provide a unified, straightforward, and high-quality video experience. Along with new technology-enabled classrooms, faculty will be fully equipped to create and design synchronous and asynchronous coursework, providing an enriched learning experience and a unified place for students and faculty to continue their conversations beyond in-person classes, lessons and rehearsals.
• We are also working with NEC faculty to develop exciting, new low-latency infrastructure that places the Conservatory at the cutting edge of digital performance. We are, for example, in the final stages of testing a platform which will allow for small ensembles (classical, Jazz, and CI) to play together, within a 500-mile radius, with no noticeable audio/video lag or latency. More information about this initiative will be forthcoming later this summer.

Classroom experience

• Ensuring a classroom experience of quality and safety is our first priority, and we will therefore be making some adjustments and enhancements to our facilities to do just that. We have conducted a comprehensive assessment of all studio, rehearsal, performance, and classroom spaces on our campus, and we have consulted with numerous public health officials and other institutions in designing and implementing safety protocols for each of these spaces.
• In returning to the classroom environment, students and faculty will find new, enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures in place, along with reduced density, floor markings denoting safe distancing, and sanitizing supplies in key areas. Numerous other measures, such as the installation of ultraviolet air sanitization units in classrooms will also be in place at the start of the fall semester. For more information on these initiatives, view the Health section on this page.
• A number of significant technology upgrades have been made to classrooms over the course of the summer, including the installation of new projection systems, high-quality microphones and speakers, new Windows and Mac computer systems, and new classroom control technology. Each upgraded classroom also features built-in Zoom Room capabilities. 
• Upgrades to furniture and lecterns have also been made, and furniture has been reconfigured to ensure safe distancing.

Ensembles and performances will be an integral part of the fall semester, and will be prioritized in the period prior to the Thanksgiving break. All performances will be streamed live, building on NEC’s expanded reach to audiences worldwide. 

NEC will not be hosting rental events this fall, so that our halls can be utilized fully for student performances, including weekend evening concerts. Performances will primarily take place in Brown Hall, Burnes Hall, the Eben Jordan Ensemble Room, Jordan Hall, the Keller Room, Pierce Hall, the Plimpton-Shattuck Black Box Theatre, and Williams Hall.  

We have conducted a comprehensive assessment of all studio, rehearsal, performance, and teaching spaces on our campus, and we have consulted with numerous public health officials and other institutions in designing and implementing safety protocols for each of these spaces. Students will find measures such as enhanced cleaning and sanitization, the use of transparent shields (e.g. glass, plexiglass), floor markings indicating safe distancing, and sanitizing supplies We are following the latest scientific research related to safe music-making, conducted by a number of institutions worldwide, as summarized by the West Point Music Research Center.

Performances

• Performances will be an integral part of the NEC experience for the fall. Performances will be prioritized for the period prior to the Thanksgiving break. All performances will be streamed live, building on NEC’s recent successes in reaching larger audiences than ever before, worldwide. To ensure maximum availability of space, NEC will not be hosting rental events this fall. Therefore, our halls will be utilized throughout the week for student performances, including weekend evening concerts.
• Performances will be held in NEC’s flagship venues, including the Eben Jordan Ensemble Room, Brown Hall, Burnes Hall, Jordan Hall, the Keller Room, Pierce Hall, the Plimpton-Shattuck Black Box Theatre, and Williams Hall.
• Students wishing to schedule a recital for the fall semester are encouraged to contact our staff, at roomrequests@necmusic.edu.

Large ensembles

• Ensembles—including meaningful large-ensemble experiences—will be an integral part of the fall semester. All in-person ensemble work will be focused on the period prior to the Thanksgiving break. As a result, some weeks will include additional rehearsals and coachings.
• Orchestra rehearsals and performances will take place in the period prior to the Thanksgiving break. To accommodate health and safety, orchestras will be smaller in size, more similar to chamber orchestra, with corresponding repertoire, with safe distancing and the use of transparent shields.
• Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds rehearsals and performances will take place in the period prior to the Thanksgiving break. To accommodate health and safety, wind ensemble repertoire will feature conducted and unconducted chamber music works ranging in size, with safe distancing and the use of transparent shields.
• Chorus will also offer a rich experience for the fall. All rehearsals and performances will take place during the period prior to the Thanksgiving break. Chamber Singers will remain an auditioned SATB ensemble, and the Concert Choir will be comprised of smaller choral ensembles, focused on SSA and TTB repertoire. Each chorus will rehearse and perform in our largest spaces. There will be substantial distance between each singer, which will provide an excellent opportunity to focus on audiation, as well as peer to peer listening coordination, musical communication and nuance at the highest levels. We are also investigating options for face masks designed especially for singers.
• Jazz Orchestra rehearsals and performances will take place in the period prior to the Thanksgiving break. The Jazz Orchestra will be comprised of its normal complement of players, but with safe distancing and the use of plexiglass shields to ensure health and wellness of all.
• Jazz Composers Workshop Orchestra rehearsals and performances will take place in the period prior to Thanksgiving break. The JCWO will be comprised of its normal complement of players, but with safe distancing and the use of plexiglass shields to ensure health and wellness of all.
• A comprehensive assessment of all rehearsal spaces has been conducted in the interest of health and wellness, which has resulted in some locations being changed to larger spaces to accommodate safe distancing. Students will find measures such as enhanced cleaning and sanitization, the use of transparent shields (e.g. glass, plexiglass), floor markings indicating safe distancing, and sanitizing supplies, appropriate to the space. The West Point Music Research Center offers a relevant overview of the measures institutions like NEC are taking, and the science that supports them.

Small ensembles: Chamber Music

• The chamber music program will incorporate many of its core strengths within new structures and scheduling paradigms to offer a robust fall semester. 
• There will be a great deal of information shared in July and August with new and returning students. Applications for chamber music are due August 10, 2020, much earlier than is typical, so that rehearsals can begin early in the semester.
• All chamber music ensembles will perform in recitals in the weeks prior to Thanksgiving.
• All groups will be confirmed by September 3rd; rehearsals and coachings will begin the first full week of the semester.
• The majority of coachings will be on an in-person basis with faculty coaches, but there will also be opportunities for coachings to be done digitally. 
• Rehearsal spaces and times will be available on an advanced-reservation basis, using a new scheduling system. A comprehensive assessment of all rehearsal spaces has been conducted in the interest of health and wellness, which has resulted in some locations being changed to larger spaces to accommodate safe distancing. Students will find measures such as enhanced cleaning and sanitization, the use of transparent shields (e.g. glass, plexiglass), floor markings indicating safe distancing, and sanitizing supplies, appropriate to the space. The West Point Music Research Center offers a relevant overview of the measures institutions like NEC are taking, and the science that supports them.
• We are also working with NEC faculty to develop exciting, new low-latency infrastructure that places the Conservatory at the cutting edge of digital performance. We are, for example, in the final stages of testing a platform which will allow for small ensembles (classical, Jazz, and CI) to play together, within a 500-mile radius, with no noticeable audio/video lag or latency. More information about this initiative will be forthcoming later this summer.

Small ensembles: Jazz/CI 

• The Jazz/CI ensemble program continues to be at the core of the Jazz/CI curriculum. All groups will be confirmed by September 1, and rehearsals and coachings begin the week of September 14.
• All Jazz/CI ensembles will perform recitals in the two weeks prior to Thanksgiving.
• Coachings will be on an in-person basis with faculty coaches throughout the semester.  Rehearsal spaces and times will be pre-assigned based on specific ensemble needs, using a new scheduling system. A comprehensive assessment of all rehearsal spaces has been conducted in the interest of health and wellness, which has resulted in some locations being changed to larger spaces to accommodate safe distancing. Depending on space, students will find measures such as enhanced cleaning and sanitization, the use of transparent shields (e.g. glass, plexiglass), floor markings indicating safe distancing, sanitizing supplies and more. The West Point Music Research Center offers a relevant overview of the measures institutions like NEC are taking, and the science that supports them.
• We are also working with NEC faculty to develop exciting, new low-latency infrastructure that places the Conservatory at the cutting edge of digital performance. We are, for example, in the final stages of testing a platform which will allow for small ensembles (classical, Jazz, and CI) to play together, within a 500-mile radius, with no noticeable audio/video lag or latency. More information about this initiative will be forthcoming later this summer.

Opera

• NEC’s Opera program looks forward to the fall semester as an opportunity to focus on skills needed for success in a rapidly changing world. The curriculum will feature concentrated and intensive work at the individual level, with keen focus on creating character, intensive coaching, maintaining a connection with the audience, and storytelling with special attention given to working with a camera. Live performance remains fundamental to our work, with a unique opportunity to provide a multidimensional performance experience for students.
• While health and safety precautions necessitate modifications to how we prepare performances and use our spaces, performances will remain an important part of the fall semester. We are preparing repertoire that is specific to the needs of students (arias, scenes, etc.) with piano accompaniment, and we will have inventive and creative projects that use our new streaming capabilities to reach wider audiences and inspire creativity and connection among our students and audience.
• All performances and most opera classes (workshop, acting) will take place in the pre-Thanksgiving period, both in the Plimpton-Shattuck Black Box Theatre and Jordan Hall.
• All undergraduate coursework will be focused during the pre-Thanksgiving period. The Fall 2020 UGOS performance will feature a gala opera night for undergraduate singers. The content of the classes, as well as coaching, will be well integrated to support the aria evening performance.
• A comprehensive assessment of all rehearsal spaces has been conducted in the interest of health and wellness, which has resulted in some locations being changed to larger spaces to accommodate safe distancing. Students will find measures such as enhanced cleaning and sanitization, the use of transparent shields (e.g. glass, plexiglass), floor markings indicating safe distancing, and sanitizing supplies, appropriate to the space. The West Point Music Research Center offers a relevant overview of the measures institutions like NEC are taking, and the science that supports them.

Our financial aid and business office staff stand ready to assist any students or parents with questions. Please see the resources and FAQs below.

Students choosing the fully-remote learning option

For students choosing the fully-remote learning option for the fall semester, please note the following changes to tuition and fees:

• Fully-remote students will receive an ensemble credit, equivalent to one credit of tuition ($1650 for undergraduate students), to be applied to fall-semester tuition, not to exceed full tuition.
• The comprehensive fee of $1000 will be waived, as previously announced.
• The Health Center fee of $580 will be waived upon request for fully-remote students who opt not to use NEC's telehealth or telecounseling services.
• Additionally, students who study fully remotely in the fall have the option of participating in a credited Ensemble Intensive, planned for May 17 - May 30 2021, at no additional cost.
• Students electing a fully-remote option will not be included in NEC's testing program, and therefore will not have access to campus facilities.

FINANCIAL FAQs

I have an outstanding balance; how do I pay my tuition?

To learn about your payment options, please visit this site.

How do I contact the Business Office?

Please e-mail BusinessOffice@necmusic.edu or call at (617) 585-1221 and leave a message. The Business Office will call you back within 24 hours during the Monday-Friday work week.

How do I remove a hold on my account?

Holds from the Business Office are often placed on a student account because of an outstanding balance or because a signed Financial Responsibility Agreement has not been received. Please check your balance on PowerCampus and ensure you’ve signed the Financial Responsibility Agreement, which was sent to your email via Adobe Sign. If you do not see the email from Adobe Sign in your inbox, please check your junk folder. If you cannot figure out why you have a hold, please contact the Business Office.

What is the Financial Responsibility Agreement?

This agreement ensures everyone is on the same page in terms of NEC’s payment, refund, and billing policies. It is required for every student and does not mean you have an outstanding balance.

I have a credit balance on my account; will I receive a refund?

Those with credit balances may choose to apply them to Spring semester charges or can elect for them to be refunded. Refunds will be processed via direct deposit. Our goal is to process refunds by the end of the second week of the semester.

How do I make sure that NEC had my current banking information on file so I can receive my refund via direct deposit?

Please send an email to ap@necmusic.edu. We will be able to confirm the banking information on file OR provide you with a secure method for you to provide your banking details to us.

I plan to drop my overload credits during the add/drop period; when will the overload credit charges be removed from my account?

Adjustments for overload credits will be made once the add/drop period ends.

I am studying fully remotely this semester; when will my bill be adjusted to reflect this?

All bills have been adjusted for fully-remote students according to your Fall 2020 Learning Format form responses and ensemble credits have been applied to all applicable accounts.

Do I need a validation sticker on the back on my ID card this year like I have in the past?

No, Penguin Passes for those studying via the Boston-based hybrid learning model have been updated to allow access to NEC facilities.

How do I pay for a key deposit so I can have access to my faculty member’s studio?

Moving forward, key deposit payments will be made through the Transact Mobile Ordering app. For information on this app, please consult our Transact Mobile Ordering How-To Guide.

How do I replace the ID card that I lost?

If you need an ID replacement, please visit the SLPC security desk.  The first ID replacement is free, and a $20 replacement fee applies to subsequent replacements. Card replacement fees can be submitted through the Transact Mobile Ordering app. For information on this app, please consult our Transact Mobile Ordering How-To Guide.