NEC Student Involvement
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As a culture of community service is strongly promoted at NEC, students are encouraged by faculty and administrators to participate in this program. Any student who is interested may sign up to be involved on a volunteer basis as much or little as their schedule allows. Additionally, some students have class or studio requirements that include participation in these programs. Approximately one third of NEC undergraduate and graduate students were involved in the Community Performances and Partnerships program every year. Students who are interested in a more extensive outreach experience may apply for one of the following programs. Students who are accepted into these programs receive an honorarium for their participation.
Honors Ensembles
Every year, 5-7 honors ensembles are selected by audition to represent NEC's finest chamber music talent in both classical and jazz genres. In addition to giving a full-length recital in Jordan Hall, each of these ensembles receives outreach training and designs an outreach program to perform in three community settings.
Fellowship Ensembles
Up to five ensembles are chosen by application each year to present numerous interactive performances in schools and other community settings. These ensembles participate in outreach training workshops and work with guest educators throughout the year. The fellowships are generously funded through the Billy Joel Performance Outreach Endowment Fund, established by the singer/songwriter in 2005.
Instrument Family Pre-School Music Program:
Each year, four NEC students are chosen by application to visit numerous pre-schools in the Boston area. Students representing the string, wind, brass and percussion families of instruments visit a consortium of pre-schools that each receive four visits. The program focuses on the instrument families and incorporates storytelling, interactive games, and age-appropriate activities.
Individual Fellowship Projects
Students may apply for an Individual Outreach Fellowship in which they design a program that can be performed in either four or eight community venues. Students can also design a residency project in which they work intensively at one location over the course of a semester. These fellowships may be concurrently credited as an internship through the Music-in-Education Department.
Conservatory-Preparatory Mentoring Program
Two Conservatory ensembles are chosen every year to mentor two high school or middle school ensembles enrolled in NEC’s Preparatory Division. The ensembles meet eight times a year for coachings, master classes and joint performances in community venues.