Performances + Events
New Student Orientation
We are excited to welcome all new students to campus and help you get off to a great start!
NEC’s New Student Orientation, Welcome Aboard: Flight 2025 — Sky’s the Limit!, invites you to connect with peers, ask questions, and explore the NEC campus, discovering the resources and support that will help you thrive academically and personally.
The New Student Orientation schedule is packed with important and exciting events – from mandatory sessions, auditions, and department meetings to fun socials, themed activities, and drop-in sessions for academic, accessibility, and international student support and questions.
Participation in the New Student Orientation is mandatory for all new students.
New Student Orientation
Schedule and Important Dates
Saturday, August 23
Check-in and Move-in: All New NEC Residence Hall Students
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Move-in for Students on Floors 6, 8, and 10
1–5 p.m. | Move-in for Students on Floors 4, 7, and 9
Sunday, August 24
5 p.m. | Check-in: Graduate Students and Off-Campus Students
Tuesday, September 2
12 p.m. | NEC Classes Begin
Wednesday, September 3
9:30–11 a.m. | President’s Convocation
2025 Orientation Schedule
New Student Orientation
Questions?
We look forward to meeting you and supporting your journey at NEC! Please contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs if you have any questions.
Email: studentservices@necmusic.edu
Phone: (617) 585.1310
New Student Orientation
Pre-Orientation Requirements
All incoming students are required to complete the Sexual Assault Prevention Course, an online informational program that educates students on healthy relationships, the meaning of sexual consent, and the role of the bystander in creating a safe and healthy community. On August 8, incoming students will receive a link to the course, sent to their NEC email address. Students must complete the course before they register for classes on September 2. This interactive program takes about 45 minutes to complete. Please see Title IX and NEC’s Prohibition on Sexual Misconduct Policies for more information.
All incoming undergraduate students are required to complete the AlcoholEdu course, an online informational program designed to reduce the negative consequences of alcohol among students. On August 8, incoming undergraduate students will receive a link to the AlcoholEdu course, sent to their NEC email address. Students must complete the course before they register for classes on September 2.
All students must turn in their Student Health Report by July 15. Information for the 2024-25 Student Health Insurance Policy will be updated on June 30. Please check back after that date to find out rates and benefits as well as how to waive our student plan.
Your Penguin Pass is your student ID. It allows you to gain access to NEC’s buildings. You can also load money on your Penguin Pass that can be spent on dining, copying, and other cashless purchases. Please submit your picture for your Penguin Pass before arriving on campus.
New Student Orientation
Orientation Exams
All incoming BM students are required to take the Undergraduate Music Theory Placement Exam. This exam will be taken online in August. The exact date and time of your exam will be sent to you later in the summer.
All incoming MM students are required to take the Master of Music Theory Competency Exam. This exam will be taken online in August. The exact date and time of your exam will be sent to you later in the summer.
You can find instructions for the online practice exam here.
We recommend the following materials for those of you who would like additional practice for the placement exam.
- Tonal Harmony by Stefan Kostka and Dorothy Payne (published by McGraw-Hill). The book’s first section includes exercises in musical fundamentals, with answers at the back of the book.
- John Clough, Joyce Conley, and Claire Boge, Scales, Intervals, Keys, Triads, Rhythm, and Meter (published by W.W. Norton & Company). This programmed text briefly explains all the topics listed in the title and includes drills to help you learn the material. The text includes a CD that also gives you some ear training practice.
- For ear training, we strongly recommend MacGamut, a computer program considered one of the best on the market. This program drills both aural and written skills and is cross-platform, allowing you to use it on either a PC or a Mac. You can purchase MacGamut at macgamut.com.
- MacGamut also includes “Written Drill” exercises that enable you to practice writing scales, intervals, and chords without identifying anything by ear.
All incoming MM students are required to take the Music History Competency Exam. This exam will be taken online in August. The exact date and time of your exam will be sent to you later in the summer.
These three tests are designed to evaluate your Italian, German and/or French language abilities. You should only be taking this test if you have prior experience with these languages. You will be tested on grammar, reading comprehension, and writing. Answer as many questions as you can. This exam will be taken online in August. The exact date and time of your exams will be sent to you later in the summer.
The placement exam in diction will be in two parts: spoken and written. The scoring of the exam will determine whether or not a student will need to take a certain class in diction, and/or into which section the student will be placed. This exam will be taken online in August. The exact date and time of your exam will be sent to you later in the summer.
New Student Orientation
Other Orientation Information
The link to purchase a discounted T-Pass will be made available on this site in mid-August. Quantities of discounted passes are limited. We will not be able to accept late forms.
Living on campus next year? Get answers to your questions and meet the Residence Life staff. We cannot wait to meet you.
