Interested in studying jazz at New England Conservatory?  Already a student, but wondering about auditions, registration and the upcoming schedule of events (”When do classes start?”  “When do ensembles start?”  “Lessons?”)?  This post should answer most of your questions, although it is important to note that this post is not intended to replace what is available on NEC’s website in any way – in fact, the NEC site is the default place to look.  You should consider this merely ancillary to what is available through NEC.

Overview

The information you need, along with the forms you download vary slightly depending upon which program you enter.  The Preparatory (or Prep) school is designed for 8-18 year-olds, and the School of Continuing Education (or SCE) is for anyone older than 18 years of age (although it is true that in some cases, SCE and Prep students mix).

Preparatory School

Some of the following information, along with a large amount of additional information is available at NEC’s Preparatory School website.  To get started, please download these documents:

• Information packet (52KB) – this document will answer most questions you may have about the program, classes, schedule of events in coming weeks (auditions, when classes start, etc.), registration, etc.
• Audition form/schedule (10KB) – Should you, or should you not, audition?  See below.  Please fill out the form (Excel – type right into it) and return it via email to david.zoffer@necmusic.edu.  If you do not have Excel, a PDF version is available here.  Please scan in and email your completed form, fax it to 617-585-1135, or bring it to the audition.  It is crucial that a completed form is in David Zoffer’s possession by 9/15, in order to begin scheduling classes.

Also, if you are interested in taking Jazz Theory and/or Jazz Stylistic Analysis, please download the theory quiz (2.3MB).  As with the audition form, please be sure that a copy of your completed quiz is in David Zoffer’s possession by 9/15.

To schedule an audition, please call the Preparatory School at 617 -585-1130.  Auditions will take place:

• Saturday, September 12, 9AM-5PM
• Sunday, September 13, 12-5PM; additional evening times available
• Monday, September 14, 4-6:30PM; additional evening times available

To register, please refer to NEC’s registration pages.

School of Continuing Education

To start, please download these documents:

• Information packet (52KB) – this document will answer most questions you may have about the program, classes, schedule of events in coming weeks (auditions, when classes start, etc.), registration, etc.)
• Audition form/schedule (9KB) – Should you, or should you not, audition?  See below.  Please fill out the form (Excel – type right into it) and return it via email to david.zoffer@necmusic.edu.  If you do not have Excel, a PDF version is available here.  Please scan in and email your completed form, fax it to 617-585-1135, or bring it to the audition.  It is crucial that a completed form is in David Zoffer’s possession by 9/15, in order to begin scheduling classes.Please bring a completed form to auditions.  If you are not auditioning, please scan and email a copy to david.zoffer@necmusic.edu or fax your form to the Preparatory office at NEC.  The number is 617-585-1135.  It is crucial that a completed form is in David Zoffer’s possession by 9/15, in order to begin scheduling classes.

Also, if you are interested in taking Jazz Theory, Jazz Composition and Analysis, or Jazz Arranging, please download the theory quiz (668KB).  As with the audition form, please be sure that a copy of your completed quiz is in David Zoffer’s possession by 9/15.

To schedule an audition, please call the School of Continuing Education at 617 -585-1130.  Auditions will take place:

• Saturday, September 12, 9AM-5PM
• Sunday, September 13, 12-5PM; additional evening times available
• Monday, September 14, 4-6:30PM; additional evening times available

To register, please refer to NEC’s registration pages.

Auditions

Posted above are instructions for auditions: how to schedule one (call NEC at 617-585-1130), when they are, and which form(s) to bring.  In the Information packet is a section on auditions that highlights other aspects of the audition.  But one might wonder whether or not an audition is necessary.  The answer depends on a few factors:

• Are you new to the program?  Or have you been away from the program for a year or two?  Yes, you should audition.
• Are you a continuing student who has evolved tremendously over the summer?  Yes, you should audition.
• Switching instruments?  Yes, please audition.
• Do you have questions that were not answered by the information packet?  Would you like to spend some time talking with the Department Chair about the program?  The best way to approach this is to schedule an audition.

Lastly, important dates.  You can view the academic calendar for the entire Preparatory/Continuing Ed school here.  Insofar as the jazz department is concerned, the following dates are important to note:

• Sept. 18 – a NEC faculty/staff member will contact students with their schedule for jazz classes (only) starting Sept. 19.
• Sept. 19 – jazz classes begin
• Sept. 25 – a NEC faculty/staff member will contact students with their schedule for jazz ensembles & lessons starting Sept. 26.
• Sept. 26 – jazz ensembles and lessons begin
• May 29, 2010 – jazz evaluations

Looking forward to hearing you.

Best, R.