Apply to NEC Prep

At NEC, music is everywhere and the halls buzz with energy. Here, superb conservatory faculty guide a community of spirited young people, from absolute beginners to the most advanced students, through an exciting musical journey. It’s conservatory-level training in an open-enrollment setting, where our students rise to the challenge of rigorous music-making and relish being with other kids who love it, too.

NEC Prep is one of the largest programs of its kind in the nation, with 1500 students from across New England participating every week in lessons, classes, and ensembles. There’s so much on offer here and so many opportunities for your child. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We invite your family to join our family: Make NEC Prep your musical home!

Create Parent/Guardian Application Portal Account

Log Into Existing Account

 

Admissions and Enrollment

Enrollment in NEC Prep is a two-phase process, which entails the following steps:

Apply to Prep

  1. Submit a 24-25 NEC Prep application
  2. Submit audition videos or other placement materials, as determined by the program your child wishes to participate in
  3. Submitted through the Prep Parent/Guardian Application Portal

Register for Prep

  1. Finalize enrollment in the Prep programs your child has been placed in
  2. Pay your initial tuition deposit
  3. Processed through ActiveNet

The following guide will take you through the critical steps of the admissions and enrollment process, as well as the systems we use to support it.

Apply to Prep

Your first step in the admissions and enrollment process will be to submit a 24-25 NEC Prep application for your child. The application covers the following information:

  • Your child’s biographical information
  • Which Prep programs your child wishes to participate in
  • (For current Prep families) Your child’s current Prep activities, and your intentions for the next year
  • Audition videos and placement materials

How to Apply

Prep applications may be submitted through our Parent/Guardian Application Portal. This portal allows families to manage applications for all of their children through a single account

Create Parent/Guardian Application Portal Account

Log Into Existing Account

A $40 application fee will be charged per application submitted.

Application Tutorial Video

Portal Creation Tutorial Video

 

Auditions/Placements

The following Prep programs require a placement audition to be performed in order to be admitted:

  • Ensembles
  • CHIPS
  • Chamber Music
  • Private Lessons
  • Piano Seminars
  • Sight-Reading for Pianists
  • Suzuki
  • Jazz
  • Theory Classes (Placement test)

Ensemble Audition Requirements

Private Lesson and Class Requirements

 

Application Dates and Deadlines

The NEC Prep application opens on April 15th. Application submission deadlines vary by program:

  • Large Ensembles and CHIPS: Applications due by May 15th
  • All other Prep programs: Applications due by August 1st

Audition results and placements will be shared according to the following schedule:

  • Large Ensembles: Results shared on June 15th
  • CHIPS: Results shared on June 22nd
  • Theory Classes: Students who apply by May 15th will receive a placement by June 15th. All other students will receive placement results no later than August 30th
  • Private Lessons: Students who apply by May 15th will receive a teacher recommendation by June 15th. All other students will receive placement results no later than August 30th
  • Jazz: Final class, lesson, and ensemble placements will be shared in September
  • Chamber Music: Ensemble placements will be shared in September
  • All other Prep program placements will be shared no later than August 30th

View a more detailed application timeline HERE.