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Audition Recordings

 

RECORDING GUIDELINES
Recordings should be clearly labeled, both on the CD/DVD/video and on the card inserted in the CD/DVD/video cover, with the following:

  • Applicant Name
  • Intended Degree
  • Instrument
  • Major
  • Repertoire
  • Recording Date
  • Names & instruments of any accompanying musicians

Unless specified below for your major, CDs are preferred. Videotapes are accepted only in VHS (1/2") format. It is not necessary to submit a professionally produced recording, but the sound quality should be very good. For videotapes and DVDs, applicants should make sure that proper lighting is used and that the camera shows full range of movement and use of instrument.

PRESCREENING RECORDINGS
All undergraduate, MM and GD applicants to the following majors who wish to be considered for a live audition must submit a prescreening recording:

  • Jazz Studies
  • Contemporary Improvisation
  • Flute
  • Piano (CD required; do not submit a DVD)
  • Violin
  • Violoncello
  • Choral Conducting (DVD or video required)
  • Wind Ensemble Conducting (DVD or video required)
  • Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy

In addition, all Artist Diploma and DMA applicants, regardless of major, are required to submit a prescreening recording.

Prescreening recordings are due on December 1, 2008. After review, qualified applicants will be invited to present an in-person audition at NEC. Recordings submitted after the priority deadline date will be reviewed at the discretion of the department. Please refer to the appropriate Audition Requirements section for your instrument/major to review repertoire requirements. Artist Diploma applicants also have specific requirements.

 

AUDITION RECORDINGS
Performance applicants not requesting a live audition must send an audition recording. CDs are preferred; a DVD/videotape is required for classical percussion and vocal applicants. Piano applicants may not submit a DVD.

Please note : The following applicants are required to present a live audition at NEC and are not eligible to submit an audition recording:

1) applicants from North America applying to:

  • Collaborative Piano
  • Piano
  • Jazz Studies
  • Contemporary Improvisation
  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Violoncello
  • Double Bass
  • Guitar
  • Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy;

2) applicants in all remaining majors living within 500 miles of Boston;

3) applicants to the DMA, Artist Diploma, Conducting, and Harvard/NEC Double-Degree programs.

Audition recordings are due on February 1, 2009. (All other application and supporting materals are still due on December 1, 2008.) Recordings received after this date will be reviewed at the discretion of the department. No recording will be reviewed without a completed application packet including the fee. Unless indicated, the audition requirements are identical to those for live auditions.

Applicants who plan to send an audition recording and will not be attending a live audition should not also send a prescreening recording.