Ensembles

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 Tom Hojnacki, assistant chair, at thojnacki@berklee.edu.

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 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.

The Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of faculty composer, arranger, and trumpeter Greg Hopkins, is one of the most prestigious performing groups at Berklee. The orchestra features many of the finest jazz instrumentalists in the school playing primarily original music written for the group by the most accomplished jazz composers on campus.

For more information, contact Hopkins at ghopkins@berklee.edu.

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.

In 2019–2020, Billy Childs will be the Ken Pullig Visiting Scholar in Jazz Composition. Under the weekly direction of Berklee faculty member Daniel Ian Smith, this ensemble will provide students the opportunity to experience the music and artistic direction of Childs.

For more information, contact jazzcomposition@berklee.edu.