Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if music ceased to exist? If Beethoven never had the chance to play the piano or Elvis never knew the joys of the guitar? The world sure would be a dreary place. Luckily, music remains a major part of our everyday lives, especially when if your days include a visit to the New England Conservatory of Music. The New England Conservatory of Music, or NEC, is the oldest independent conservatory in the United States, as well as one of the world's leading musical institutions. Renowned for its strings, jazz and chamber music departments, the NEC has produced some of the finest classical musicians on the planet. Stop by during your upcoming discount Boston car rental vacation and experience the next generation of composers at work.

Where music is made

The NEC was founded back in 1867 by Eben Tourjee. It was modelled after European conservatories of the day. By 1870, the Conservatory and the Boston Symphony Orchestra were tightly connected, as the symphony relied on the school's faculty to serve as section leaders. Today, these two major factions continue to make beautiful music together, with nearly half of the Boston Symphony Orchestra being composed of Conservatory alumni or faculty. The Conservatory is home to more than 750 students annual, providing undergraduate and graduate classes in all areas of music. Are you, or someone you know, interested in pursuing a career in music? Then be sure to check out the Conservatory Preparatory School and Continuing Education Department during your upcoming discount Boston car rental vacation.

A campus to remember

Discount Boston car rental travelers will find the NEC campus on the block of Gainsborough Street, between St. Botolph Street and Huntington venue. The campus consists of three buildings and is just one block away from the Symphony Hall. The main building of the Conservatory is the Jordan Hall Building. It is home to its namesake, Jordan Hall, as well as the Keller Room, Brown Hall and the Isabelle Firestone Audio Library. The second building is the school's residence, while the third building contains a computer laboratory, classrooms and electronic music studios.

Catch a performance at Jordan Hall

The crown jewel of the New England Conservatory is Jordan Hall, a 1019-seat, hundred year old performance space. Architecturally stunning and acoustically superior, Jordan Hall is one of the world's finest concert venues. Yo-Yo-Ma once remarked that he loved Jordan Hall, not just for its amazing acoustics, but "most of all for the sense of event when you go there." While the hall is used mostly by the students and faculty of the Conservatory, discount Boston car rental travelers can also catch third party performances there periodically. Both the Boston Modern Orchestra and the Boston Philharmonic hold residencies there throughout the year.

Get your tickets to a concert

Discount Boston car rental travelers can attend most Conservatory concerts free of charge. However, a few events do require tickets. In order to reserve seats to a concert at Jordan Hall, you can contact the Conservatory Box Office at 6170585-1260. Discount Boston car rental travelers can also drop by the Box Office at 30 Gainsborough Street in the lobby of Jordan Hall. The Box Office is open from 10am to 6pm Monday through Friday and from 12pm to 6pm Saturday. The Box Office is open 1.5 hours prior to the start of any ticketed performance.
Would you like to learn more about the New England Conservatory of Music before embarking on your discount Boston car rental vacation? Then please don't hesitate to contact the NEC's main switchboard at 617-585-1100. Discount Boston car rental travelers can also log onto the official New England Conservatory of Music website at www.newenglandconservatory.edu.