The Jazz Composition Department creates multiple opportunities for student participation in ensembles as performers, composers, and/or arrangers. This allows students to have their works rehearsed and performed live by student musicians. Through participation in these ensembles as performers, students also have the opportunity to perform works by established and well-known composers such as Terence Blanchard, Billy Childs, Andy Milne, Samuel Torres, Maria Schneider, Terri Lyne Carrington, and many others.
Jazz Composition Workshop Ensemble
The Jazz Composition Workshop Ensemble is a high-level student ensemble that is dedicated to providing growth for students interested in jazz composition. The ensemble offers two modes of participation—as a performer and as a composer—and meets weekly to rehearse and develop student compositions. Ensemble slots are allocated by permission of the chairs.
For more information, contact George Russell, chair, at grussell@berklee.edu or Ayn Inserto, assistant chair, at ainserto@berklee.edu.
Jazz Comp Fusion Ensemble
The Jazz Comp Fusion Ensemble is a composition-oriented ensemble that has a jazz fusion focus and is led by Bob Pilkington. The semester goal of the ensemble is the production of several recordings. The process of creation, recording, and post-production in a semi-collective environment is the educational objective. Ensemble slots are allocated by audition or by permission of the instructor.
During the ensemble meeting time, activities include creating grooves and forms through jamming, and playing rough ideas brought in by members. Rough recordings of those sessions are then shared via Google Drive and ol.berklee.edu. Members have the opportunity and assignment to develop the material for succeeding sessions. EPD and MP&E members are encouraged to develop ideas for pre- and post-production enhancements to the music. Over the course of time, polished tracks will be finished.
For more information, contact bpilkington@berklee.edu.
Chord Scale Madness Ensemble
Chord Scales for Arranging is a foundational class for the Jazz Composition Department, and the Chord Scale Madness Ensemble is dedicated to performing the best works to emerge from that class. Under the direction of Jackson Schultz, a professor in the Jazz Composition Department, this long-established ensemble performs an annual concert in the spring.
For more information, contact Schultz at jschultz@berklee.edu.
Rainbow Big Band
Under the direction of Tia Fuller, the Rainbow Big Band performs in a wide variety of styles and is constantly exploring the redefinition of big band music. Recently the band has performed with Darcy James Argue, John Clayton, Stefon Harris, Lizz Wright, and many others. By recommendation of George Russell, chair of the Jazz Composition Department, selected jazz composition majors serve as assistant directors for the ensemble, performing a vital role in the organization and musical preparation of this high-level ensemble.
For more information, contact jazzcomposition@berklee.edu.
Ken Pullig Visiting Scholar's Ensemble
Under the weekly direction of a Berklee faculty member, this ensemble will provide students the opportunity to experience the music and artistic direction of our Ken Pullig Visiting Scholar.
For more information, contact jazzcomposition@berklee.edu.
If you have general questions about any of these ensembles, please contact jazzcomposition@berklee.edu.
