The New England Conservatory (NEC) has announced a $14.5 million grant that will fund a partnership between the conservatory and the City of Boston to increase access to high-quality music education for children.

The partnership will launch a pilot at Ellis Early Learning to expand early childhood music education at the pre-K level and increase NEC’s Preparatory School (Prep) scholarships by 150 percent, with a focus on welcoming students from underrepresented communities. In addition to bolstering financial aid to remove barriers for students across the city, the grant from an anonymous donor will enable NEC to offer free access to instruments.

“The $14.5 million…grant that NEC has secured will help us expand music programs for school communities across the city, in order to provide robust music education and instruments at no cost to our students and their families,” said Boston mayor Michelle Wu. “We couldn’t be more thrilled that New England Conservatory will help us chart new ground—touching the lives of Boston’s young people and families.”

“Music education is transformational for children and supports their holistic learning—enhancing cognitive skills, activating creativity, and fostering connection, engagement, and confidence. Increasing equitable access to music education for students in the City of Boston will create new learning opportunities that we are excited to offer,” said NEC president Andrea Kalyn. “We look forward to providing music education to Boston students from their earliest years through graduation and beyond.” 

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