Graduate Languages

NEC offers beginning and intermediate foreign language study at the graduate level in French, German, and Italian. 

Modern Languages are an integral part of many graduate programs at NEC: 

• MM students: Foreign language study is required for students pursuing degrees in Vocal Performance, Vocal Pedagogy, Collaborative Piano, Choral Conducting, and Orchestral Conducting, and is strongly recommended as an elective for other majors, such as Strings. **  

• DMA students: Language classes may be used to meet the language proficiency requirement in lieu of the required exam. 

**Placement Testing: Students who have previously studied these languages may seek exemption from some or all of these requirements; placement and exemption are determined in consultation with language instructors and student advisors.  

Language study at the graduate level goes beyond an introduction to a foreign language and general conversational usage and seeks to address the specific needs of musicians: 

• Expand your (linguistic) repertoire: In dialogue with studio faculty and other departments, we seek to offer students language tools and broader cultural exposure useful for more in-depth study of their repertoire, be it libretti, poetic texts of Lieder or understanding score markings in foreign language scores. 

• Become a global musician: NEC alumni hold positions in music all over the world, and graduate language study aims to teach students practical language skills for work and study abroad. 

Beyond the classroom, graduate students can continue their language study in our Foreign Language Center through individual or small group study.