Audition for NEC
Brass | Collaborative Piano ^ | Composition | Conducting ^
Contemporary Improvisation | Guitar | Harp | Historical Performance
Jazz Composition | Jazz Performance | Music History *
Musicology ^ | Percussion | Piano | Strings | Theoretical Studies
Vocal Performance & Pedagogy | Woodwinds
Spring (January) Enrollment
Students interested in January admission should call the Office of Admission to inqure about anticipated program openings before filing an application. All auditions for January enrollment are normally by taped/CD recording. However, applicants may be asked to present an in-person audition based on their major and/or proximity to Boston. To prepare your tape, please refer to the appropriate Audition Requirements section (categorized by instrument above) and the Recording Guidelines section. If spring enrollment is available, admission decisions will be made on a rolling basis beginning November 15. January enrollment is not available in the Artist Diploma or Doctor of Musical Arts programs.
Financial aid/scholarship for the January 2008 term is limited. In order to be considered for financial aid, applicants must submit a 2007- 2008 NEC Financial Aid form no later than November 1, 2007. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are also required to submit results from the 2007/2008 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For additional information on financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at (617) 585-1110.
Fall (September) Enrollment
Each applicant (with the exception of Classical Composition, Musicology, and Theoretical Studies) must satisfy an audition requirement. This requirement is fulfilled by an in-person audition (for those with a preliminary audition recording requirement, by invitation only) or tape audition. Select your major at the top of this page for audition repertoire. In-person auditions are scheduled after submission of a completed application, including application fee. There are a limited number of audition times for each major.
In-person auditions at NEC are required of:
- applicants from the United States, Canada, and Mexico applying to Jazz Studies, Contemporary Improvisation, Collaborative Piano, Piano, Violin, Viola, Violoncello, Double Bass, Guitar, Vocal Performance or Vocal Pedagogy;
- applicants in all remaining majors living within 500 miles of Boston;
- all applicants to the DMA, Artist Diploma, Conducting, or Harvard/NEC Double-Degree programs.
Preliminary audition recordings are required of:
- all undergraduate, MM and GD applicants to Jazz Studies, Flute, Piano, Violin, Violoncello, Conducting (Choral, Wind Ensemble), Contemporary Improvisation, Vocal Performance or Vocal Pedagogy;
- all Artist Diploma and DMA applicants, regardless of major.
Confirmation of an in-person audition date will be sent by email approximately one month prior to the audition. Once an audition has been scheduled, no changes can be accommodated. Applicants who cancel an audition for documented unforeseen difficulties (e.g., illness, inclement weather, injury) may request placement on a waiting list should audition openings occur at a later time. However, due to the large number of scheduled auditions, few openings usually occur.
Accompanists are not required for instrumental auditions, although applicants wishing to audition with their own accompanist (personally arranged) may do so. Accompanists are provided for Vocal Performance auditions at NEC and instrumentalists are provided for Jazz and Collaborative Piano auditions.
Taped audition information may be found in the Recording Guidelines section.
* Undergradate Only
^ Graduate Only