The mission of New England Conservatory is the education and training of musicians of all ages from around the world, drawing on the talents of an accomplished faculty and nurturing individual excellence in a challenging and supportive community dedicated to the highest standards of performance, teaching and scholarship. In so doing, NEC aspires to ensure that music has a central place in public life and that the broader value of a rigorous music education is recognized.
The central focus of NEC's programs of study is one-on-one studio instruction, which provides essential interaction between the student and his or her faculty mentor. The studio relationship is supported and enhanced by coursework and ensemble participation.
NEC students are so focused that I'm sure if their body did not demand that they sleep or eat, they wouldn't. Although we cannot demand that NEC students get a life outside of music, we certainly do encourage them to! Each semester is full of events that we hope will entice our beloved students out of the practice room. Follow this link to upcoming events.
There is never a dull moment here in Student Life and every day brings exciting ideas and challenges. I am blessed this year with an amazing staff of students whose ideas and contribution to Residence Life and Student Life, truly make this department alive and in motion.
All of the arts thrive in Boston, and music in particular holds a place of pride. Everything from early music to cutting-edge bands call Boston home, along with world-renowned institutions like the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The NEC campus is adjacent to the city's most fashionable shopping district, leading directly to a bustling, historic downtown area. With the Charles River as its northern boundary and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the city is surrounded by natural recreation areas that are popular with runners, bicyclists, and sailors--as well as those seeking a quiet escape.
The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) in Boston, Massachusetts, is the oldest independent conservatory in the United States.
The conservatory is home each year to 750 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies along with 1400 more in its Preparatory School as well as the School of Continuing Education. At the collegiate level, NEC offers the Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts, as well as the Undergraduate Diploma, Graduate Diploma, and Artist's Diploma. Also offered are 5-year joint double degree programs with Harvard University and Tufts University.
NEC is the only music school in the United States designated as a National Historic Landmark. Its primary concert hall, Jordan Hall, plays an important role in the cultural scene of the entire New England region, hosting over 600 concerts each year and receiving frequent praise for its acoustical qualities.
NEC was founded in 1867 by Eben Tourjee, who modelled it after the European conservatories of that time. Initially, it was located in the Boston Music Hall just off Tremont Street in downtown Boston. In 1870 it moved to the former St. James Hotel in Franklin Square in the South End. It moved to its present location in the Symphony/Prudential Neighborhood on Huntington Avenue in 1903. In 1881, when Henry Lee Higginson established the Boston Symphony Orchestra, he drew heavily on school's faculty to serve as section leaders. Today, the school and the orchestra continue to share a close association - nearly half of the BSO is composed of conservatory faculty and alumni. When Boston established its first full-scale opera company in 1908, the manager, conductors, soloists, orchestra, chorus, library, and rehearsal rooms were all provided by the conservatory. After that company's demise, Boris Goldovsky's Opera Theater gave local audiences their first fully staged performances in more than a decade. In 1958, Goldovsky's protégé Sarah Caldwell founded the Opera Company of Boston, which gained international acclaim for its innovative programming.
Learn more about Bachelor’s Degree Programs
A program that prepares individuals to study and master the performance and composition of jazz. Includes instruction in the history of Jazz and related musical styles such as the Blues, Jazz composition and theory, improvisation, Jazz instrument and ensemble performance, and related topics. See more Jazz/Jazz Studies Schools
A program that generally prepares individuals to master musical instruments and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers. Includes instruction on one or more specific instruments from various instrumental groupings. See more Music Performance Schools
A program that focuses on the study of the principles of sound manipulation as applied to the creation of music, and the techniques of creating and arranging music. Includes instruction in aural theory, melody, counterpoint, complex harmony, modulation, chromatics, improvisation, progressions, musical writing, instrumentation, orchestration, electronic and computer applications, studies of specific musical styles, and development of original creative ability. See more Music Theory and Composition Schools
A program that focuses on the systematic study of the forms and methods of music art, and the functions of music, in Western and non-Western societies and cultures. Includes instruction in music theory, musicological research methods, and studies of specific cultural styles such as jazz, folk music, rock, ethnic musical traditions, and the music of non-Western cultures. See more Musicology and Ethnomusicology Schools
A program that prepares individuals to master the piano, organ, or related keyboard instruments and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in piano and keyboard pedagogy, ensemble playing, accompanying, service playing, repertoire, keyboard and pedal skills, recital, and personal style development. See more Piano and Organ Schools
A program that prepares individual to master a stringed instrument and performing arts as solo, ensemble and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development. See more Violin, Viola, Guitar and Other Stringed Instruments Schools
A program that prepares individuals to master the human voice and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers in concert, choir, opera, or other forms of singing. Includes instruction in voice pedagogy, diction, vocal physiology and exercise, expressive movement, repertoire, recital, and personal style development. See more Voice and Opera Schools
Learn more about Master’s Degree Programs
A program that prepares individuals to master the art of leading bands, choirs, orchestras and other ensembles in performance, and related music leadership. Includes instruction in score analysis and arranging, rehearsal and performance leadership, music coaching, arrangement and performance planning, ensemble operations management, and applications to specific school or professional ensembles. See more Conducting Schools
A program that prepares individuals to study and master the performance and composition of jazz. Includes instruction in the history of Jazz and related musical styles such as the Blues, Jazz composition and theory, improvisation, Jazz instrument and ensemble performance, and related topics. See more Jazz/Jazz Studies Schools
A program that prepares individuals to provide musical instruction and tutoring to clients in private and institutional settings. Includes instruction in music theory, music composition, mastery of one or more instruments, familiarity with various musical genres and styles, principles of music education, and client communications. See more Music Pedagogy Schools
A program that generally prepares individuals to master musical instruments and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers. Includes instruction on one or more specific instruments from various instrumental groupings. See more Music Performance Schools
A program that focuses on the study of the principles of sound manipulation as applied to the creation of music, and the techniques of creating and arranging music. Includes instruction in aural theory, melody, counterpoint, complex harmony, modulation, chromatics, improvisation, progressions, musical writing, instrumentation, orchestration, electronic and computer applications, studies of specific musical styles, and development of original creative ability. See more Music Theory and Composition Schools
A program that focuses on the systematic study of the forms and methods of music art, and the functions of music, in Western and non-Western societies and cultures. Includes instruction in music theory, musicological research methods, and studies of specific cultural styles such as jazz, folk music, rock, ethnic musical traditions, and the music of non-Western cultures. See more Musicology and Ethnomusicology Schools
A program that prepares individuals to master the piano, organ, or related keyboard instruments and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in piano and keyboard pedagogy, ensemble playing, accompanying, service playing, repertoire, keyboard and pedal skills, recital, and personal style development. See more Piano and Organ Schools
A program that prepares individual to master a stringed instrument and performing arts as solo, ensemble and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development. See more Violin, Viola, Guitar and Other Stringed Instruments Schools
A program that prepares individuals to master the human voice and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers in concert, choir, opera, or other forms of singing. Includes instruction in voice pedagogy, diction, vocal physiology and exercise, expressive movement, repertoire, recital, and personal style development. See more Voice and Opera Schools
A program that prepares individuals to teach music and music appreciation programs at various educational levels. See more Music Teacher Education Schools
Learn more about Certificate Programs
A program that prepares individuals to study and master the performance and composition of jazz. Includes instruction in the history of Jazz and related musical styles such as the Blues, Jazz composition and theory, improvisation, Jazz instrument and ensemble performance, and related topics. See more Jazz/Jazz Studies Schools
A program that generally prepares individuals to master musical instruments and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers. Includes instruction on one or more specific instruments from various instrumental groupings. See more Music Performance Schools
A program that focuses on the study of the principles of sound manipulation as applied to the creation of music, and the techniques of creating and arranging music. Includes instruction in aural theory, melody, counterpoint, complex harmony, modulation, chromatics, improvisation, progressions, musical writing, instrumentation, orchestration, electronic and computer applications, studies of specific musical styles, and development of original creative ability. See more Music Theory and Composition Schools
A program that prepares individuals to master the piano, organ, or related keyboard instruments and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in piano and keyboard pedagogy, ensemble playing, accompanying, service playing, repertoire, keyboard and pedal skills, recital, and personal style development. See more Piano and Organ Schools
A program that prepares individual to master a stringed instrument and performing arts as solo, ensemble and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development. See more Violin, Viola, Guitar and Other Stringed Instruments Schools
A program that prepares individuals to master the human voice and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers in concert, choir, opera, or other forms of singing. Includes instruction in voice pedagogy, diction, vocal physiology and exercise, expressive movement, repertoire, recital, and personal style development. See more Voice and Opera Schools
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| Percent of Students International: | 29% |
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 20% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | Yes |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | Expenses | ||
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 30,975 | ||
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 30,650 | ||
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 325 | ||
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 3,819 | 20% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 2,950 | 4% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 11,499 | 80% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 9,384 | 55% | |
Any Aid: |
89% |
| Acceptance Rate: | 28% (Most Selective) |
| Application Fee: | $ 100.00 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Required |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Not Required |
| High School GPA: | Required |
| High School Rank: | Not Required |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Required |
| TOEFL: | Required |
| Test Scores: | Not Required |
College Advice on The New England Conservatory of Music |
Question: Does the New England Conservatory of Music offer language classes or is it strictly music?Id love to go there, but i also want to continue learning German after high school.. do theyoffer foreign language classes?8 months ago
Best AnswerNo one else has answered yet, so I'll take a crack at it! There are language classes, but it will still be focused on music. NEC doesn't offer a Bachelor of Arts, which is a liberal arts degree; they offer a Bachelor of Music, which is focused entirely on music. That's why it's a conservatory instead of a college, but you probably knew that already. The only college I know of in the Boston area that offers a liberal arts degree in music for sure is the Eastern Nazarene College, on the South Shore, but they don't offer German. I'm pretty sure New England Conservatory does. |