It’s all about connections.

What does it mean to be an artist in society?

Community Performances & Partnerships

A recognized trailblazer, NEC's Community Performances and Partnerships Program is one of the premier programs in the nation for engaging conservatory students with their community through robust, meaningful partnership activities and high quality training.

CPP interacts annually with close to 15,000 people through over 600 events that reach across ages, neighborhoods, ethnicities, and economic disparities in the city of Boston and beyond.

CPP simultaneously provides NEC students with a crucial opportunity to explore what it means to be a musician living in and contributing to community life, within an atmosphere of supportive mentoring, professional development, and experiential learning.

What We Do

Being a CPP Fellow for the past two years has shown me repeatedly that music is not meant only for big stages and concert halls but that it can also have a profound impact on the communities right around us. It has widened my view of what is possible in a career in music!

Evelyn Song‘23 GD (Community Fellow 2022-2023)

String Quartet outside of Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association

There is never enough music to spread to all the places and people that yearn for it. I hope I can be one more person who can help fill that void while using the technical skills I’ve learned in school so that I can bring a little bit of peace and healing to the community.

June Chung‘24 MM (Ensemble Fellow 2022-2023)

Lishan Tan playing harp outside in a park.

To be able to bring a smile to someone's face or to help them momentarily forget about whatever pain or illness they might be going through, it is moments like these that make me continue serving the community.

Lishan Tan‘24 DMA (Community Fellow 2022-2023)

Jennifer and Lingbo performing at Cadbury Commons

For our residents, compromised older adults, attending performances of high quality music is important for their overall well-being. NEC's providing performers to us throughout the year is extraordinarily helpful for our residents' cognitive functioning and emotional health.

Brian BunnellDirector of Community Programs at Cadbury Commons

Thank you for another great school year of musical presentations. You bring so many excellent musical and academic learning opportunities, stories, conversations and joy!

Gregg BodellMusic Teacher at Patrick J. Kennedy Elementary School

Great music goes everywhere.

A flutist plays for a classroom full of eager listeners

Want to get involved with CPP?

Learn more.

Join us!

Want to see and hear us in action? While the majority of NEC’s community programming takes place in partnership sites that are not open to the public (such as schools, senior care facilities, hospitals), we are delighted to invite you to our public programs.

All programs listed here are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. We hope to see you around town!

Featured Events

Sat, April 20, 2024 | 11:00am

NEC at the Boston Public Market: Ruger String Quartet

Sat, April 20, 2024 | 3:30pm

Musical Storytelling at the Hyde Park Library

Thu, April 25, 2024 | 2:00pm

NEC at the Boston Public Library: Piano 4 Hands

Thu, May 9, 2024 | 2:00pm

NEC at the Boston Public Library

Sat, May 11, 2024 | 10:30am

Musical Storytelling text with bright graphic background

CPP Musical Storytelling Showcase

View Concert Calendar

Recent News

Wed, April 17

New England Conservatory Announces 153rd Commencement with Honorary Degree Recipients Paul Simon, Robert Spano, & Dawn Upshaw (May 19)

New England Conservatory is delighted to announce that three musical luminaries will receive honorary degrees during its 153rd Commencement exercises on May 19 in Jordan Hall. Songwriter, recording artist, and philanthropist Paul Simon, who will also be the featured speaker; five-time Grammy-winning soprano, educator, and MacArthur Fellow Dawn Upshaw; and conductor Robert Spano, a four-time Grammy winner who is Music Director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Laureate of the Atlanta Symphony after 20 seasons at the helm, and who has served as Music Director of the Aspen Music Festival and School since 2011, will all receive honorary Doctor of Music degrees.

Tue, March 5

Dr. Felicia Sandler Partners with Royal Drummer Emmanuel Attah Poku for “Music of Ghana,” an Immersive, Integrative Addition to NEC’s Curriculum

By adding a lab component to "Music of Ghana," a Music Theory course taught at NEC since 2014 by composer, theorist, and faculty member Dr. Felicia Sandler, NEC effectively bridges the gap between what students learn in the classroom and its real-life application. As Dr. Sandler immerses students in music theories tied to Ghanaian repertoires, they derive more meaning from their knowledge by also learning traditional dancing and drumming from prominent royal drummer Emmanuel Attah Poku, a Tufts professor who grew up in the palace of the Ashanti King and plays percussion for the royal court.

Mon, February 26

From the Archives: A Celebration of NEC’s African American Legacy

As Black History Month comes to a close, we celebrate Black alumni from the earliest years of the Conservatory. Members of the Black Student Union worked with NEC archivists Maryalice Perrin-Mohr and Cody Forrest to research Black history and artistry from the early years of NEC.

Wed, February 14

Celebrate Boston’s Greatest Love Story: A Look Back at Coretta Scott King ’51, ’71 Hon. DM and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Historic First Meeting

Love is a powerful force, especially when shared by two individuals as driven in their joint mission of creating a better world as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King ’51, ’71 Hon. DM. The change-making couple were heroes of the Civil Rights Movement, but before they made history for their activism and social justice work, their journey together began in Boston.

Tue, February 13

New England Conservatory Named a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Students

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognizes New England Conservatory as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

Browse NEC News