Performances + Events
NEC Prep Ensembles
Dive into the rich tapestry of musical exploration at NEC Prep, where endless possibilities to discover your artistry await.
With ensembles spanning jazz, brass, chamber, strings, and more, our diverse offerings cater to musicians of all ages. Immerse yourself in our vibrant large ensembles and discover your musical potential.
After NEC
Meet the Ensembles
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Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensembles
The Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble (MYWE) at NEC Prep offers three distinct groups for young musicians: Junior MYWE, MYWE Concert Band, and Senior MYWE. Both MYWE Concert Band and Senior MYWE participate in international tours, with recent performances in Barcelona, Valencia, and Granada.
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Contemporary Musical Arts Ensembles
CMA ensembles consist of a coach and 3-5 students, with the coach functioning as a band member, bandleader, and arranger, meaning students play with a professional musician for each rehearsal and performance. Each ensemble has a drummer, a bassist, a chordal instrument, and various melodic instruments (winds, brass, voice, strings, pitched percussion). Students are encouraged to suggest, compose, and arrange pieces for these ensembles.
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Woodwinds Ensembles
NEC Prep’s specialized woodwind ensembles include the Clarinet and Saxophone Ensembles. The Clarinet Ensemble allows clarinetists to explore a wide repertoire, develop ensemble skills, and refine technique, culminating in a public performance; it requires no audition or minimum age. The Saxophone Ensemble provides a curriculum that enhances ensemble playing techniques and individual musicality through a rich repertoire, with students participating in festival concerts each semester.
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Choral Ensembles
Various choral ensembles are available for young singers, ranging from the advanced Youth Chorale for grades 9-12, which performs masterworks in venues like Jordan Hall, to the Children’s Choir for grades 1-4, to the Chamber Chorus for grades 4-6. All of these groups emphasize healthy vocal technique, musicianship, and performing multi-part repertoire in diverse styles and languages.
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Brass Ensembles
Directed by Cleveland Orchestra veteran Eli Epstein, the Youth Brass Ensemble provides high school and middle school brass players with opportunities to enhance their musicianship, technique, listening skills, and emotional expression through an engaging and positive ensemble experience.
Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar (CHIPS)
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.
NEC Prep’s Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar is generously supported by The Robert and Jane Morse Endowed Chamber Music Fund at NEC.
Chamber Music
NEC Prep offers chamber ensembles (small ensemble with one on a part) for string, woodwind, brass, and piano students ages 8-18. Chamber music at NEC connects young musicians together based on the common interest of their love of music and is an excellent complement to instrumental education alongside private lessons and large ensembles.
Playing chamber music is a great way to meet fellow musicians and make new friends. Some NEC Prep chamber groups play together for years. Students will develop their skills through artistic exploration, creativity, and artistic expression. Students have the opportunity to:
- Share musical opinions and ways to interpret their scores. Motivated by their peers, they mature into deeper levels of musicianship.
- Develop sensitive listening while playing.
- Develop practice and rehearsal techniques.
Each group is coached by a highly experienced teacher and performer who has a passion for chamber music and loves to work with young musicians. Groups are determined by age, ability, and instrumentation. Each ensemble receives an hour of coaching each week throughout the academic year, participates in two end-of-semester workshops, and performs in the Chamber Music Festival at the end of each semester. Student groups may also have the opportunity to play in a Chamber Music Showcase in Jordan Hall and perform in and attend masterclasses given by distinguished chamber music faculty from the NEC college and outstanding visiting chamber music artists.
All students interested in chamber music placement need to apply and register for this course first. Placement is by audition. Groups are determined by age, ability, instrumentation and scheduling availability.
String and Piano students are required to complete this Placement Questionnaire.
For more information and questions, please email prepchamber@necmusic.edu.
- Brass Duo
- Brass Quartet
- Brass Quintet
- Brass Trio
- Piano Duo
- Piano Quartet
- Piano Quintet
- Piano Trio
- String Duo
- String Quartet
- String Quintet
- String Trio
- Woodwind Duo
- Woodwind Quartet
- Woodwind Quintet
- Woodwind Trio
- Clarinet Ensemble
- Composition Chamber Group
- Early Music Ensemble
- Harp Ensemble
- Saxophone Ensemble
For chamber music groups in the Baroque department, students learn Baroque techniques and aesthetics as they play repertoire composed before 1750 while playing on modern instruments. Baroque chamber ensembles are open to strings, woodwind, brass, and piano players.
Vivaldi Ensemble
Aldo Abreu, Instructor | Saturday, 10–11a.m.
Gabrieli Ensemble
Aldo Abreu, Instructor | Saturday, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Preparatory Baroque Ensemble
Aldo Abreu, Instructor | Saturday, 3–4 p.m.
Monteverdi Ensemble
Aldo Abreu, Instructor | Saturday, 4–5 p.m.
Orchestras
Juliano Aniceto, Director
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 3:15-6 p.m.
Praising “the highly talented teenagers who fill the ranks of the YPO,” and their “expressively charged and technically accomplished performances,” Boston Globe music critic Jeremy Eichler has written: “One of the special pleasures of hearing a youth orchestra comes from knowing that many of its members have been encountering the music, even a cornerstone of the repertory like the Brahms ‘Fourth Symphony,’ for the very first time. As a result, the playing can sometimes brim with the visceral thrill of discovery.”
YPO tours biannually with trips that span all corners of the globe. The orchestra’s 16 international concert tours have enriched audiences on four continents and established YPO as one of the finest youth orchestras in the world. In 2007, the orchestra traveled to China, giving concerts in several major cities and collaborating with young Chinese musicians. The orchestra has played in some of the finest concert halls of the world, including Chile’s Teatro Municipal in Santiago, the Teatros Municipal of São Paulo in Rio de Janeiro, Musikverein in Vienna, and Reykjavik’s Harpa Concert Hall. In 2019, YPO completed a 10-day tour of Prague, Bratislava, and Budapest.
Steven Karidoyanes, Director
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 3:15-6 p.m.
The NEC Youth Symphony (YS) is composed of advanced young musicians, most between the ages of 13 and 18. Members are selected from hundreds of applicants through annual auditions. YS is open to advanced pre-college string, wind, percussion, brass, and harp students.
As one of NEC’s senior Prep School ensembles, YS has performed in NEC’s Jordan Hall, Symphony Hall, and Sanders Theatre, as well as the Boston Opera House in a collaboration with the Boston Ballet School.
This orchestra tours internationally every two years. Recent tour destinations have included sites in Greece, Italy, Ireland, and Costa Rica.
Peter Jarvis, Director
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
String Chamber Orchestra (SCO) is open by audition to upper-level pre-college string students interested in an intensive, larger chamber music setting. Repertoire is chosen from the wealth of glorious serenades and character pieces written for string orchestra, such as the Tchaikovsky String Serenade and the Holberg Suite by Edvard Grieg.
Members develop advanced ensemble skills and a group confidence performing in various venues on campus, including Jordan Hall, the Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre, and the Green Cafe. Most students enjoy playing in the chamber orchestra along with their participation in full orchestras, such as the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Youth Symphony, Youth Repertory Orchestra, and the String Repertory Orchestra.
Seating in SCO is on a rotating basis in order to offer a more complete experience for every member in the group.
Cynthia Woods, Director
Rehearsals: Saturday, 12:30-3 p.m.
The Youth Repertory Orchestra (YRO) is open by audition to upper-intermediate pre-college string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students. Students placed in YRO are expected to be able to play with solid intonation and good tone quality, as well as a variety of dynamics, and are comfortable carrying their part independently while blending with the ensemble. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of YRO are in grades 8-12.
Adam Grossman, Director
Rehearsals: Saturday, 1-2:30 p.m.
Junior Repertory Orchestra (JRO) is open to intermediate pre-college string players, woodwinds, and brass. JRO is the entry-level full-orchestra ensemble for NEC Prep. To be placed in JRO, students generally play with fluidity, have a developed vibrato, and are comfortable playing three-octave scales and arpeggios. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of JRO are in grades 7-10.
Cynthia Woods, Director
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
String Repertory Orchestra (SRO) is open by audition to intermediate string students. Students placed in SRO play with fluency and clarity and are comfortable playing three-octave scales. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of SRO are in grades 7-10.
Marta Zurad, Conductor
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 8:30-10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Preparatory String Orchestras (PSOs) are open to early to intermediate string players. Students placed in PSOs are comfortable shifting and playing fast-passage work and able to play with a solid, confident tone that is generally well in tune. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of PSOs are in grades 6-8.
Peter Jarvis, Director
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 8-9 a.m.
String Training Orchestra 8 a.m. Orchestra (STO 8) is open by audition to advanced-beginner string students. Students placed in this orchestra have mastered basic technical aspects of playing the instrument, can read music proficiently, are comfortable in some upper positions, and have often had previous ensemble experience. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of STO 8 are in grades 4-7.
Peter Jarvis, Director
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 9-10 a.m.
String Training Orchestra 9 a.m. Orchestra (STO 9) is open by audition to beginner string students. Students placed in this orchestra have mastered basic technical aspects of the instrument, can read music, and have generally studied their instrument for at least two to three years. While orchestral assignments are made by level, not age, most members of STO 9 are in grades 3-5.
Wind Ensembles
Michael Mucci, Director
Allison Lacasse, Assistant Director
Rehearsals: Fridays, 4:15-6:15 p.m. (before Thanksgiving), 4:30-7 p.m. (after Thanksgiving)
The Senior Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble is open to advanced high school students in grades 10-12 in the areas of woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, double bass, and piano. This touring ensemble is the senior-level wind ensemble at NEC Prep. Auditions are generally at the level of All-State Auditions.
Senior MYWE goes on tour every other year. Past tour sites have included Spain, France, the Czech Republic, Ireland, and Italy.
Alfred Dentino, Director
Allison Lacasse, Assistant Director
Rehearsals: Fridays, 4:15-6:15 p.m. (before Thanksgiving), 4:30-7 p.m. (after Thanksgiving)
Started in 2015, the Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble Concert Band (MYWE CB) is open by audition to middle and high school students in grades 9-12. Under the direction of Alfred Dentino, the music chosen for this ensemble represents a balance of traditional and contemporary concert band repertoire that will meet the needs of students who aspire to advance their musical skills to a level at which they can achieve their goals.
MYWE CB is a touring ensemble. In 2023, the ensemble toured various locations in Spain.
Jared Cassedy, Director
Allison Lacasse, Assistant Director
Rehearsals: Fridays, 4:30-7 p.m.
The Junior Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble at NEC Prep is open to middle school and junior high school students in grades 6-9, in woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, double bass, and piano. Auditions are generally at the level of Junior District Auditions.
Eli Epstein, Director
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 9:30-11 a.m.
The Youth Brass Ensemble is open by audition to high school and middle school brass players. Learn ensemble playing from Cleveland Orchestra veteran and brass pedagogue Eli Epstein. With his upbeat, positive approach to music making, Epstein provides experiences that promote high levels of brass musicianship, enhance brass playing technique, develop listening skills, encourage emotional expression, and address interpersonal and performance issues.
Jazz
Robert Nieske, Director
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 3-5 p.m.
The Youth Jazz Orchestra (YJO) debuted in 2008 at NEC Prep. Since then, the YJO has been recognized as one of the Prep School’s premier large ensembles. YJO was featured as part of Boston’s First Night Celebrations for First Night 2010-12, and was showcased at the 2009 and 2010 Feasts of Music.
YJO performs twice a year in NEC’s Brown Hall. The orchestra is directed by celebrated jazz artist Bob Nieske, who is also a member of the NEC College faculty. YJO is open to pre-college-age trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, and percussion students.
The NEC Prep Small Jazz Ensemble program is one of the largest programs of its kind in the nation. It is open to students aged 8 and up with any level of experience.
Each ensemble consists of a coach and three to five students; in rare instances, an ensemble may have two students. The coach functions as a band member, bandleader, and arranger, so students are playing with a professional musician for each rehearsal and performance. Each ensemble has a drummer, a bassist, a chordal instrument (piano and/or guitar), and various melodic instruments (winds, brass, voice, strings, pitched percussion). These ensembles are meant to expose students to performing a wide variety of pieces in jazz and related music styles. Students are encouraged to suggest pieces and to compose and arrange for these ensembles if they are interested.
Baroque
Aldo Abreu, Director
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 8-10 a.m.
The Baroque Chamber Orchestra (BCO) is open by audition to upper-intermediate players. This ensemble specializes in virtuoso music from the Baroque period (1600-1750) and features the works of Vivaldi, Bach, Corelli, Telemann, and Marcello, among others. Additionally, members of this group are able to audition to perform a Baroque concerto with the orchestra. While orchestra assignments are made by level, not age, most members are in grades 7-12.
BCO also participates in several masterclasses with renowned guest artists who specialize in Baroque music. Prior guest artists have included Martin Pearlman of Boston Baroque, violinist Christopher Verrette of Tafelmusik, cellist Phoebe Carrai, harpsichordist Kenneth Cooper, violist Joan Ellersick, and cellist Dan Ryan of Musicians of the Old Post Road.
Aldo Abreu, Director
Rehearsals: Fridays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
This select small ensemble is open by audition to intermediate string and wind players. This ensemble specializes in repertoire from the Baroque period, including works by Handel, Purcell, Scheidt and Boyce. While ensemble assignments are made by level, not age, most members are in grades 7-12.
Chorus
Erica Washburn, Director
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 6-7:45 p.m.
The NEC Youth Chorale is a highly celebrated mixed chorus for advanced singers in grades 9-12. This ensemble performs in NEC’s Jordan Hall and other regional venues. In recent years the choir has shared the stage with the NEC Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and NEC Youth Symphony, as well as the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra.
Composed of students from the greater Boston area and beyond, Youth Chorale offers singers the opportunity to experience and perform masterworks and octavo selections of the choral repertoire at an exceptionally high level. Recent concert programs have featured works such as Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes, Haydn’s Missa in Augustiis (Lord Nelson Mass), Mozart’s Missa Brevis in F, K.192, and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.
Laura Nevitt, Director
Rehearsals – Saturday, 1-2:15 p.m.
The Chamber Chorus is an ensemble open to singers in Grades 4-6 by placement audition. Rehearsal instruction in the Chamber Chorus emphasizes healthy vocal techniques for developing voices, musicianship, and ear-training through solfege and Takadimi rhythm syllables, as well as notation and score-reading skills. Students typically sing advanced unison, 2-part, and 3-part repertoire in a variety of styles and languages and perform at least two concerts per year.
Laura Nevitt, Director
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 11-11:50 a.m.
The Children’s Choir is open to singers ages 6-13 by placement audition. Rehearsal instruction in Children’s Chorus emphasizes healthy vocal technique for developing voices, musicianship, notation, and score-reading skills. Students typically sing unison and two-part repertoire in a variety of styles and languages, and perform two concerts per year.
