What is the NEC Music Referral Service?
The New England Conservatory is known in New England and throughout the northeast region for providing exceptional musicians for local events and occasions. The Entrepreneurial Musicianship Department hosts the Music Referral Service at NEC, and maintains a gig database submitted by the community. It's a valuable arts resource for the community, and a significant source of income for our student population.
How does the Music Referral Service work?
The Music Referral Service (MRS) is a place for patrons in New England to submit their events and have them shared for New England Conservatory student and alumni musicians to see. Students can easily search active opportunities via their email notifications to find gigs that interest them. As the patron, you may receive emails from several interested students and will have the opportunity to choose who best suits your event.
Who are the musicians performing through the MRS?
All musicians using our service are current students of New England Conservatory, or recent alumni (within 3 years of graduation). The New England Conservatory is one of the best music schools in the world; all of our student musicians are of professional caliber. All students registered with our service have completed a gig etiquette training with our office.
How much do students charge?
Students and ensembles decide their own fees, which are negotiated between the patron and musicians. Fees depend on length of time, type of service, and number of musicians involved. We recommend a minimum of $125/hour per musician. Please note: our musicians charge standard professional rates. 100% of the musician fee goes to the students. As this is a service to NEC students and the New England community, our office does not take a percentage.
How will I be contacted?
If students are interested in your posting, they will reach out to you directly to learn more specifics and to move forward with booking.
What if I hear from multiple students?
If you hear from multiple students, feel free to select the student that's the best fit for your event. If you continue hearing from students after you've already selected a musician for your event, just write to the MRS Office at MRS@necmusic.edu to remove your posting.
What if I do not hear from any students?
Common reasons patrons do not hear from students include: lack of scheduling availability on your selected date, low pay offered, or especially long travel requirements. If these do not apply to your event, feel free to contact our office at MRS@necmusic.edu to discuss your posting. However, this is a referral service only, not a contracting service; we are not able to guarantee availability.
What kind of instruments do you have available?
The New England Conservatory trains musicians in classical and jazz genres, as well as in Contemporary Improvisation (world music, rock/pop, folk, and gospel). On the page where you submit your request there are several instrument options to choose from. If you're looking for a specific instrument, please include that in your posting as well.
I have a question not listed here...
Please contact the MRS Office at MRS@necmusic.edu or 617-585-1170.
The New England Conservatory is known in New England and throughout the northeast region for providing exceptional musicians for local events and occasions. The Entrepreneurial Musicianship Department hosts the Music Referral Service at NEC, and maintains a gig database submitted by the community. It's a valuable arts resource for the community, and a significant source of income for our student population.
How does the Music Referral Service work?
The Music Referral Service (MRS) is a place for patrons in New England to submit their events and have them shared for New England Conservatory student and alumni musicians to see. Students can easily search active opportunities via their email notifications to find gigs that interest them. As the patron, you may receive emails from several interested students and will have the opportunity to choose who best suits your event.
Who are the musicians performing through the MRS?
All musicians using our service are current students of New England Conservatory, or recent alumni (within 3 years of graduation). The New England Conservatory is one of the best music schools in the world; all of our student musicians are of professional caliber. All students registered with our service have completed a gig etiquette training with our office.
How much do students charge?
Students and ensembles decide their own fees, which are negotiated between the patron and musicians. Fees depend on length of time, type of service, and number of musicians involved. We recommend a minimum of $125/hour per musician. Please note: our musicians charge standard professional rates. 100% of the musician fee goes to the students. As this is a service to NEC students and the New England community, our office does not take a percentage.
How will I be contacted?
If students are interested in your posting, they will reach out to you directly to learn more specifics and to move forward with booking.
What if I hear from multiple students?
If you hear from multiple students, feel free to select the student that's the best fit for your event. If you continue hearing from students after you've already selected a musician for your event, just write to the MRS Office at MRS@necmusic.edu to remove your posting.
What if I do not hear from any students?
Common reasons patrons do not hear from students include: lack of scheduling availability on your selected date, low pay offered, or especially long travel requirements. If these do not apply to your event, feel free to contact our office at MRS@necmusic.edu to discuss your posting. However, this is a referral service only, not a contracting service; we are not able to guarantee availability.
What kind of instruments do you have available?
The New England Conservatory trains musicians in classical and jazz genres, as well as in Contemporary Improvisation (world music, rock/pop, folk, and gospel). On the page where you submit your request there are several instrument options to choose from. If you're looking for a specific instrument, please include that in your posting as well.
I have a question not listed here...
Please contact the MRS Office at MRS@necmusic.edu or 617-585-1170.