Ensembles

In addition to lessons in the main artistic subject, studying at the Jazz Institute at HMTM also includes artistic practice with a focus on orchestral and ensemble playing. All students therefore have the opportunity to participate in various ensembles – from duo to big band – in order to gain performance experience in a wide variety of formations. Participation in interdisciplinary projects serves to further develop jazz in a social context.

Munich University Jazz Orchestra

The Big Band of the Jazz Institute of the University of Music and Theatre Munich

The »Munich University Jazz Orchestra« – MUJO for short (formerly U.M.P.A Jazz Orchestra) – under the artistic direction of Prof. Claus Reichstaller has been the flagship of the Jazz Institute of the University of Music and Theatre Munich for several years. The repertoire ranges from classical big band literature to modern, contemporary arrangements and compositions.

In numerous concerts in the »Jazz in Concert« series and the traditional »Jazz Nacht«, the top-class big band impresses with its grooving sound, fiery rhythms and compact brass sections. Changing programmes with compositions and arrangements at the highest professional level with international star guests such as Patti Austin, Jane Monheit, Abraham Laboriel, Dusko Goykovich, Joe Haider, Ivan Lins and Danilo Pérez further enhance the appeal of the Jazz Orchestra.

All students of the Jazz Institute are obliged to take part in the Jazz Orchestra course. In addition to the Munich University Jazz Orchestra as a concert formation of the Big Band, there is the Rehearsal Big Band, which is dedicated less to the actual concert performance than to the development of an extensive repertoire.

Small Ensembles

With »small ensembles« of different styles from Straight Ahead, Bebop, Modern, Latin Jazz, Fusion, Soul to free playing and Contemporary Art Forms, students are offered a wide musical range.

By working in the ensembles, students learn, among other things, how to handle sheet music professionally, develop an individual sound on the instrument, improvise in a specific style and, above all, play together with other students. The focus is on artistic innovation in mutual respect, creative collaboration and individual freedom. In addition to standard works, students compose and arrange their own compositions for ensemble work and develop them to stage maturity.

Regular concerts with the ensembles take place at Gasteig HP8 and our partner, the Unterfahrt jazz club, in order to promote the highest level of playing practice during the programme.