Contemporary Improvisation Audition Requirements
A live audition is required for all Contemporary Improvisation applicants living in North America.*
A prescreening CD must be submitted by December 1 in order to be considered for a live audition. After review, qualified applicants will be asked to present a live audition at NEC. Applicants who are not selected for a live audition will be notified that they have not been accepted for study.
The CD should contain two complete, unedited, uninterrupted performances totaling 8 minutes or less. Your first piece must be a recomposition of an existing melody – a preconceived interpretation and/or arrangement that shows your original musical vision and expresses your personal musical style. You should take a leadership role in the piece and be the primary soloist, arranger, and musical director. Your second piece can be an original composition, another interpretation of an existing melody, or a structured improvisation. The CD must be clearly labeled with your name and instrument; the recording date and place; titles, composers, and arrangers of the selections; and names of all the performers and their instruments.
You must submit a Contemporary Improvisation essay with your prescreening recording. The essay should explain your reasons for choosing this major, including a short statement describing the influences and motivations of your personal style. This CI essay is separate from the writing sample that you must submit with your application.
Applicants selected for a live audition will be asked to play two different unaccompanied pieces (not the pieces on the prescreening CD): 1) an original composition or improvisation, and 2) a recomposition, interpretation, or arrangement of an existing melody. The audition process also includes an ear test (including interval and chord identification and long-term melodic and rhythmic retention) and an interview.
*CI applicants residing outside of the United States, Canada and Mexico may be considered for admission based on the submission of a recorded audition on CD, DVD, or VHS videotape. In choosing pieces to play, please follow the live audition instructions. Applicants being considered for admission by recorded audition will be asked to complete a recorded and/or telephone ear test, and will be interviewed by telephone.