NEC remains an active and vibrant community. While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought changes to the way we teach, learn, and collaborate, we are a community that is committed to supporting each other, to celebrating great artistry, and to sharing in the power of music.
If you have questions or concerns not addressed here, please reach out to our Student Services team at student.services@necmusic.edu.
Monday, January 25
Today's briefing: Welcome to the start of the Spring semester!
Spring at NEC: Classes, practice, and performance activities have resumed, and our COVID-19 testing program continues. More information about our Spring semester plan can be found on this page.
Important public health reminder: We continue to see elevated rates of COVID-19 transmission globally, within the Greater Boston region, and in our community. Ensuring physical distancing in all environments, wearing a mask, and practicing good hand hygiene are essential steps to reducing the transmission of COVID-19. We ask members of our community to observe these and other essential measures both on-campus and off. Learn more in our video series.
Looking for a live stream? Live video feeds from NEC's concert halls can always be found at necmusic.edu/live. We also premiere concerts, including live broadcasts, on YouTube. Details for each event can be found on our concert calendar.
As we approach the end of the Fall semester, we are writing to share with you information about plans for the winter break and our return to campus at the start of the Spring semester.
This fall, we have together demonstrated that music-making is not only possible, but vital, in an exceptionally challenging moment in our society. We are grateful for your collective efforts to keep each other healthy and safe.
APPROACHING WINTER BREAK
The NEC COVID-19 Testing Center will close for the winter break at the end of the day on Tuesday, December 22. NEC's campus will close one day later, at the end of the day on Wednesday, December 23. Offices and departments will be closed during the same period.
THE SPRING SEMESTER
Similarly to the Fall semester, NEC is offering both a hybrid experience for Boston-based students, with a focus on music-making on campus combined with online classes; and a fully-online experience for remote students. More information about our framework for the Spring semester can be found on this page.
The NEC COVID-19 Testing Center will reopen on Monday, January 11, two weeks prior to the start of classes. Select campus facilities, including practice rooms, will reopen the following day, on January 12. Similar to the start of the Fall semester, everyone will be required to participate in "onboarding testing" in order to access campus buildings.
ONBOARDING TESTING
Consistent with the Fall semester, everyone participating in on-campus activity will be required to participate in our COVID-19 Testing Program. This program begins with "on-boarding testing," which requires two negative tests, obtained 3-7 days apart, before accessing campus.
Onboarding tests can be performed:
a.) at the NEC COVID-19 Testing Center; or
b.) at another testing facility and uploaded using the CoVerified app; or
c.) a combination of the two.
We ask that test results from other testing centers be performed no sooner than 7 days prior to return to campus, and that results be uploaded to the CoVerified app. To upload a test to CoVerified, go to the “Report” section, then to “Upload Test Result” and follow the prompts. Please be sure to list the date the test was collected.
Onboarding Testing after international travel:
NEC has adopted the CDC’s guidance around testing and quarantine after international travel due to the surge of COVID-19 infection worldwide and consistent with the advice provided by the U.S. State Department. Students, faculty, and staff returning from international travel must:
-Get tested no more than 72 hours before returning to the U.S.
-Self-quarantine for 7 days upon arrival, even if you receive a negative test result.
-Get tested 3-5 days after travel at NEC’s COVID-19 testing center or testing center of your choice.
It is important that even if you test negative, you stay home for the full 7 days. If your test is positive, self-isolate to protect others from getting infected.
If more than 7 days have passed since your last test, you will need 2 additional negative COVID-19 tests 3-7 days apart BEFORE returning to campus if more than 7 days has passed since your last test
Onboarding process for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days:
Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days may still receive positive test results, even though they are no longer capable of infecting others. Testing is therefore not needed for 90 days after their positive test. Those falling into this category are asked to:
REGULAR TESTING; HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES IN THE SPRING
All of NEC's current health and safety policies and practices will continue into the Spring semester. Once your onboarding testing is complete, we ask that you please keep up to date with regular weekly testing. The testing protocol remains the same as the fall semester:
a.) once weekly for those on campus once per week
b.) twice weekly for those on campus more than once per week
c.) tests never more than 7 days apart
We encourage you to review this page for more specific information about health and safety.
VACCINE-RELATED DEVELOPMENTS
We are greatly encouraged by the progress made in the development of multiple vaccines for COVID-19, and are buoyed that the global administration of these vaccines is now underway. In Massachusetts, the current phase of vaccination is focused on healthcare workers and those at greatest risk of developing severe cases of COVID-19. Public health officials expect that vaccines will become broadly available in the Spring semester. We will share additional updates about this process in the days ahead.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPRING
We encourage you to regularly check this page, which is updated daily. Should you have questions about COVID-19 testing, please reach out to the testing center at covidtest@necmusic.edu. For questions about other aspects of the Spring semester, please contact our Student Services team at student.services@necmusic.edu.
For reference, we have made available our completed Massachusetts Higher Education COVID-19 Control Plan, as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Plan template is available in two parts; included below.
Have music to share? Send it to us via #NECMusicHub.
This fall, our community has powerfully demonstrated that music-making is not only possible, but vital, in the most challenging of times. The following comprises the framework for the Spring, and reflects our continued commitment to providing an education of excellence that prioritizes opportunities for in-person music-making, while ensuring the health and safety of our community.
SPRING AT NEC
Similarly to the Fall semester, we will continue to offer a hybrid experience for Boston-based students, with a focus on music-making on campus combined with online classes; and a fully-online experience for remote students.
Boston-based hybrid option:
Fully-remote option:
Your advisor will ask you to declare your choice of one of these two options, and you will be asked to confirm your final decision by January 11 using a web form which will be shared later in the fall.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The Spring semester will be comprised of a full 14 weeks, and will begin on January 25, one week later than previously planned. To ensure the health and safety of our community and reduce the need for travel mid-semester, Spring Break will be reduced in length, and practice facilities will remain open during these times. More information about the academic calendar can be found here.
The NEC COVID-19 Testing Center will reopen on January 11. Select campus facilities, including practice rooms, will open on January 12. We will ask students to complete two tests, 3-7 days apart, before returning to campus. Students will be able to submit a test prior to their return; through the NEC COVID-19 Testing Center; or both, and we will share more details about this process in a forthcoming communication.
PRACTICE FACILITIES
Practice facilities will continue to be available by reservation. Based on student feedback, we are considering several possible adjustments to our reservation policies, and are piloting several ideas in the coming days. Any policy changes that are found to be beneficial in the Fall would carry forward to the Spring.
STUDIO LESSONS
Studio lessons will continue to be offered both in-person and online, through the full 14-week semester.
ENSEMBLES, PERFORMANCES, RECITALS, PROMOTIONALS
Ensembles and performances are an integral part of the Spring semester. All live performances will be streamed, and held in all of our concert halls, 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. When appropriate, some ensembles will make live recordings for broadcast, similar to the Fall semester.
We will share more details relative to ensembles, performances, recitals, and promotionals in the coming days.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Through the Fall semester, NEC has implemented a wide array of policies, procedures, and practices with the intent of ensuring the health and safety of our community, including a comprehensive COVID-19 testing program. These policies will continue through the Spring semester.
HOUSING AND DINING
NEC's residence hall will remain closed for the Spring semester. We plan to fully reopen the residence hall for the Fall 2021 semester, and will share additional information about the housing application process on the usual schedule.
STUDENT TOWN HALL
We will be hosting a student town hall October 22 at 7:30pm ET. We invite you to join us to hear more about the coming Spring semester, and to ask any questions that you may have. An invitation will be sent to students via email.
PERFORMANCE INTENSIVE
We continue to develop our in-person Spring Performance Intensive, which is planned for May 13-30.
MORE DETAILS
More information will be posted on this page in the coming days. The information below is specific to our continued operations for the fall semester.
SPRING AT NEC
Similarly to the Fall semester, we will continue to offer a hybrid experience for Boston-based students, with a focus on music-making on campus combined with online classes; and a fully-online experience for remote students.
Boston-based hybrid option:
Fully-remote option:
The NEC Student Health Commitment is a pledge that all NEC students are encouraged to sign. It offers guidelines compiled by students, for students to help the community reduce the spread of COVID-19 and continue making music together on campus. Watch this video to hear NEC students explain what the NEC Student Health Commitment is all about!
In this series of videos, Leah McKinnon-Howe, Nurse Practitioner and Director of Health Services at NEC, provides helpful information about COVID-19, what NEC is doing to prepare and maintain a safe and healthy campus, and how you can help to keep yourself and others safe.
Ensuring the health, wellness, and safety of our community is our first priority. In preparation for this academic year, NEC has engaged in a deliberative process of crafting a plan that matches our unwavering commitment to health and safety with a student experience of uncompromising quality, depth, and impact. We have developed this plan in consultation with numerous public health officials, agencies, and experts, and in collaboration with partner organizations and other institutions spanning the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and beyond.
The Conservatory has implemented a wide range of initiatives to provide a healthy living and learning environment for the year, and we will all need to do our part to care for each other, to support those who need help, and to ensure we comply with safe distancing, face covering, daily screening, and other health-related policies.
Requirements for travelers to Massachusetts, including Massachusetts residents returning home from travel, became effective and institute a period of self-quarantine upon arrival. Some states may be designated by the Commonwealth as "lower risk" are exempt from these requirements. Travelers arriving from outside of these states will also be required to complete a state travel registry form. NEC students traveling to Massachusetts from outside the excepted states will be required to observe these state self-quarantine measures. Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should self-isolate, not travel, and contact their health care provider for guidance on testing and symptom management.
Self-quarantine can be observed in an individual's place of residence.
The Spring semester will be comprised of a full 14 weeks, and will begin on January 25, one week later than previously planned. To ensure the health and safety of our community and reduce the need for travel mid-semester, Spring Break will be reduced in length, and practice facilities will remain open during these times. More information about the academic calendar can be found here.
View the full Academic Calendar
Similarly to the Fall semester, we will continue to offer a hybrid experience for Boston-based students, with a focus on music-making on campus combined with online classes; and a fully-online experience for remote students.
Boston-based hybrid option:
Fully-remote option:
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 will continue to be offered both in-person and online, through the full 14-week semester.
Ensembles and performances are an integral part of the Spring semester. All live performances will be streamed, and held in all of our concert halls, 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. When appropriate, some ensembles will make live recordings for broadcast, similar to the Fall semester.
The Blumenthal Family Library will be open, though some services may be modified to accommodate safe distancing. The library will offer expanded digital resources for the 2020-2021 academic year.
New England Conservatory
Blumenthal Family Library, Circulation
290 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115-5018
Common areas across the campus have been reconfigured to ensure they support safe distancing, while also offering students an opportunity to study, relax, or work between classes, lessons, or other activities. Students needing a space to study may consider the following locations which have particularly suitable capacity and layout:
Student Services will be working closely with student leaders to develop programming and outlets through which students—whether first-year, transfer, or returning students—can meet and build a community. Programs and activities will include opportunities to connect virtually and in-person. In-person programs and activities will be limited in size and participants will be expected to follow social distancing guidelines and wear masks.
Student services will continue to support student clubs and organizations and resources will be made to help support student events. Student leaders are encouraged to hold meetings and events virtually. In-person programs and activities will be limited in size and participants will be expected to follow social distancing guidelines and wear masks.
The Office of Student Services will be open during normal business hours and offer both in-person and virtual meetings with students. Through campus-wide cooperation and collaboration, our staff is dedicated to academic support, health and wellness, accessibility, international services, residence life, and student activities.
SEVP rule changes that were recently proposed by the U.S. federal government - and that would have introduced restrictions on studying online while within the United States - have been rescinded. Students with questions are encouraged to reach out to their international student advisor in Student Services.
Students are strongly encouraged to maintain regular communication with their international student advisor in Student Services to know about current guidelines, restrictions, and other information from the US government.
If students have specific questions about travel, they should contact their international student advisor for assistance navigating travel guidelines and requirements.
NEC-sponsored travel
Personal travel
Quarantine for travelers
From platforms for classes to low-latency audio-visual for simultaneous ensemble playing, NEC is adopting new technology solutions to support a robust learning experience for online learning.
To ensure you have a smooth start, we are asking that you confirm you are able to access key technology resources as soon as possible to ensure that there is time to troubleshoot any issues.
If you are studying via the hybrid model and plan to use the computer lab, know that the lab will be operating on a reservation system due to COVID-19 protocols. Appointments will range from 15 minutes to a maximum of an hour.
We have heard from students whom, when purchasing personal technology, expressed an interest in more guidance on tools - hardware and software - that would reinforce their digital learning, recording, and music making experience. Below is a list of recommendations provided by our staff. If you do not have these items already, then consider purchasing them as soon as possible. We recognize that some of these items represent a financial investment. If you have experienced a hardship and currently have financial difficulty, then reach out to Financial Aid for potential assistance.
Recommended tech for students in order to benefit from low-latency remote connectivity:
Minimum computing recommendation: Quad core processor > 1.6ghz (ideally 2ghz or greater) with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage. If your computer does not meet these specs, FastMusic is an alternative option. FastMusic is essentially a Soundjack audio transmission computer, and can be controlled with an older computer or even a smartphone.
Headphones: Open-ear designs are best for remote collaboration as you get a sense of your space. Closed-ear designs are best for recording, as the sound is isolated from the mic. Please consider your use case before purchasing. The AKG K240 is a semi-open headphone that may be considered for either use. Bluetooth will add significant latency so staying with wired headphones is recommended, and you may want to consider purchasing a headphone extension cable for more flexibility of movement.
Microphone: While no mic is ideal for every situation, we recommend a condenser mic (cardioid for front pickup or omni for 360-degree capture) and a low-latency interface. We have tested and can recommend the following, although please be aware of limitations of certain devices, as noted:
|
Device |
Notes |
|
Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 |
Currently does not work with Windows. |
|
Presonus Studio 24c |
|
|
MOTU2 |
Currently does not work with the Symphonics FastMusic Box. |
|
Audient Evo4 |
Requires a powered USB hub. |
|
Presonus Audiobox USB 96 |
|
|
Audient iD44 |
Requires wall power |
|
Audient id14 |
Requires wall power |
Don’t forget to get a mic cable and stand.
Other recommended gear and software:
Notation software (required for first-year undergraduates): NEC recommends using Sibelius
Recording software: NEC recommends that students use Reaper for recording as it works on both platforms, is very flexible, and has a lower price point than other options. ($60).
Required MIDI Keyboard for Theory Classes: M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 49-key Keyboard Controller.
Purchasing gear:
While you may purchase from any dealer, the B&H EDU Advantage Program is free and available to faculty, staff, and students who are enrolled in accredited and approved programs. Signing up for the EDU Advantage Program entitles you to discounts with quick turn around when you order through EDU. Visit www.BandH.com/edu or email edumembership@bhphoto.com for more information.
The information on this page is designed for NEC undergraduate and graduate students in the College. Students in the NEC Preparatory School and the School of Continuing Education will continue to receive updates directly from their program. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our team should you have questions.