Hometown: Gauting (by Munich), Germany
Major: Jazz Composition
Degree: D.M.A.
Undergraduate and Graduate School: Conservatory of Amsterdam (exchange programs with Universität der Künste Berlin and Manhattan School of Music)
Current Teachers: Billy Hart/Ken Schaphorst
Why did you choose to study at NEC?
“I have friends who had studied at NEC and who told me about the school. When I decided to try to get into a DMA program, NEC was one of the top choices. After looking into the profile of the Doctoral program and finding out more about it, I got pretty excited. Besides, I knew I would have the opportunity to study with amazing musicians.”
What do you like about studying at NEC?
“One of the great things about the DMA program is that it covers a wide range of disciplines - musicology, music history, performance, etc. - on a very high and satisfying level. I constantly find myself discovering new interests within domains that I haven't found particularly attractive before, like in musicology for example. However, nothing beats the choices of studio teachers. In the jazz program students usually split their studio lessons between two teachers, so I'm able to study composition and saxophone at the same time. Last year my teachers were Ken Schaphorst for composition and George Garzone for saxophone; this year I'm studying with Schaphorst and Billy Hart.”
What do you like about Boston?
“I lived in Amsterdam, New York, Berlin and Montreal before and I loved it, but Boston has definitely the best combination of a world metropole and a lovely town where you feel totally at home. I think it's one of the greenest cities. Buy a bike (just don't go downtown with it)!”
Can you think of a particular moment or experience at NEC that was memorable?
“One of the greatest moments here was my first lesson with Billy Hart last week. I invited a bass player and we played trio for an hour. To be able to study with Billy is definitely one of the big moments of my musical life. Other than that I have great moments playing with other students. From some of them I learn as much as I do from my teachers.”
What are your plans/goals after NEC?
“I would love to move to New York and stay there for a while. As you know it's one of the best places to be as a jazz musician.”
What do you do outside of class?
“Composing and practicing as much as I can. And sometimes I take a break from it and hang with my two roommates who are totally ‘normal’ and don't know anything about music.”
Are there any other things about you, NEC, or your experience here that you would like to mention?
“Specifically interesting for jazz composers: every week the Jazz Composers Orchestra is rehearsing your newly written material. You get to work with a great band and your composition is performed and recorded at the end of each semester.”
Max Von Mosch is the recipient of the Golden Family Scholarship.
2010-06-28
VIRGIL THOMSON