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?”)? As you probably know, I’m on the faculty at NEC, in the School of Preparatory and Continuing Education. I work for David Zoffer, Chair of the Jazz Department. After talking with Dave about various answers to the above questions plus a few others, we decided that it might be helpful to post some information here, along with a few forms. This post is not intended to replace what is available on NEC’s website in any way – 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
To start, please download these documents:
- Information packet (88KB) – 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 bring a completed form to auditions. If you are not auditioning, please scan and email a copy to dzoffer@newenglandconservatory.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 9/8, 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 9/8.
To schedule an audition, please call the Preparatory School at 617 -585-1130. Auditions will take place on Sat., Sept 6th, from 9AM until 5:00PM. If you are not able to be present at the Sat., Sept. 6th audition, there are a limited number of slots available on Sun, Sept. 7th starting at 12PM, and Mon., Sept. 8th starting at 4PM. If it is not possible to meet at NEC on Sep. 8th-Sept. 10th, then please leave a message for Jazz department chair David Zoffer at 617-585-1100 ext. 5709.
To register, please defer to NEC’s site, where registration forms can be downloaded.
School of Continuing Education
To start, please download these documents:
- Information packet (87KB) – 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 bring a completed form to auditions. If you are not auditioning, please scan and email a copy to dzoffer@newenglandconservatory.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 9/8, 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 9/8.
To schedule an audition, please call the Preparatory School at 617 -585-1130. Auditions will take place on Sat., Sept 6th, from 9AM until 5:00PM. If you are not able to be present at the Sat., Sept. 6th audition, there are a limited number of slots available on Sun, Sept. 7th starting at 12PM, and Mon., Sept. 8th starting at 4PM. If it is not possible to meet at NEC on Sep. 8th-Sept. 10th, then please leave a message for Jazz department chair David Zoffer at 617-585-1100 ext. 5709.
To register, please defer to NEC’s site, where registration forms can be downloaded.
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.
Looking forward to hearing you.
Best, R.