Overview

Composition program at New England Conservatory of Music is a highly diverse and individualized approach, combined with a thorough curriculum of technical and theoretical studies, makes NEC a dynamic and vital place to be a composer. You will explore and create new music while absorbing musical traditions from around the world, drawing inspiration from a rich array of music, history, and art.

Key facts

NEC’s Composition faculty emphasizes a highly diverse and individualized approach to music composition in combination with a thorough curriculum of technical and theoretical studies. The goal is to give you the technical tools and formal clarity to fully realize your own compositional voice. You will receive intensive, individual, one-hour lessons with your studio instructor every week. The faculty is an active, widely performed, and internationally known group of composers who are diverse yet complementary in both musical background and compositional style. The composition department also has a visiting composer program in cooperation with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Each year, performance opportunities for student works include seven student composer concerts, four orchestral readings, and performances by NEC Honors Ensembles and the NEC Contemporary Ensemble. NEC also offers a Music Technology Concentration for undergraduate students interested in utilizing technology in their creative work. The size and musical scope of NEC’s student body foster cross-fertilization of genre and repertoire. Collaborations often result in student recitals with repertoire supplied by student composers.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Studio Composition

Graduate Composition Seminar

Music Theory
Musicology
Performance and Rehearsal Techniques

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

110

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

42 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Boston, United States

Disciplines

Music Composition View 163 other Masters in Music Composition in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

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AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

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98 accuracy using real exam data
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Other requirements

General requirements

Admission to the Master of Music program at NEC requires a completed bachelor’s degree, or its recognized equivalent, from an accredited college or university. The Master of Music curriculum focuses on studio and ensemble work, supplemented by academic course requirements in musicology and music theory, as well as coursework that is complementary to your chosen major. Additional study is provided through frequent masterclasses, guest artists, and repertoire classes.

Auditions are a core aspect of Conservatory admission.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

61561 USD / year

≈ 61561 USD / year
Out-of-State

61561 USD / year

≈ 61561 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

61561 USD / year

≈ 61561 USD / year

Living costs

Boston

United States

1560 - 3239 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Composition.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Key facts

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Boston

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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