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The NEC Jazz Orchestra inaugurates new season with tribute to an American master on Thursday, October 17

October 9, 2024

Ken Schaphorst leads the NEC Jazz Orchestra in Jordan Hall.

The See’r: Charles Ives at 150 features new Ives arrangements by Ken Schaphorst and is the first event in NEC’s celebration of Ives’s 150th birthday

On Thursday, October 17 the NEC Jazz Orchestra, led by Ken Schaphorst, presents the first concert of their season and the first event in New England Conservatory’s celebration of the 150th birthday of American composer Charles Ives. The See’r: Charles Ives at 150 features Schaphorst’s new arrangements of some of Ives’s most celebrated compositions including “Three Places in New England,” “A Set of Pieces for Theatre Orchestra,” and “Ragtime Dance No. 4.”  The free 7:30 p.m. concert will also be livestreamed. For information about the concert, visit necmusic.edu.

Ives was actively composing at the same time that jazz was first recognized as a uniquely American music, and his compositions share many of the same influences, including marches, ragtime and American popular songs. Schaphorst’s arrangements and the NEC Jazz Orchestra’s performance make these connections clear in a concert that celebrates the genius and timelessness of Ives’s work, and the skill and artistry of NEC students and faculty.

About New England Conservatory (NEC)

Founded by Eben Tourjée in Boston, Massachusetts in 1867, New England Conservatory (NEC) represents a new model of music school that combines the best of European tradition with American innovation. The school stands at the center of Boston’s rich cultural history and musical life, presenting concerts at the renowned Jordan Hall. Propelled by profound artistry, bold creativity, and deep compassion, NEC seeks to amplify musicians’ impact on advancing our shared humanity and empowers students to meet today’s changing world head-on, equipped with the tools and confidence to forge multidimensional lives of artistic depth and relevance.

As an independent, not-for-profit institution that educates and trains musicians of all ages from around the world, NEC is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools. It cultivates a diverse, dynamic community, providing music students of more than 40 countries with performance opportunities and high-caliber training from 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of music-making and teaching through college-level training in classical, jazz and contemporary improvisation. Through unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships, it empowers students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC’s mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, the Expanded Education division delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students, and adults.

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