The College of Performing Arts's newest large ensemble, the New School Studio Orchestra is composed of students from the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music and Mannes School of Music, performing music from a wide variety of genres including jazz, soul, pop, and improvised music. This evening the group is led by conductor, trombonist, and bandleader Ed Neumeister and features School of Jazz and Contemporary Music student compositions. 

Composer and jazz trombonist Ed Neumeister has been at the forefront of Jazz for more than 40 years developing his unique voice. Having also worked with high level classical orchestras and ensembles nurtured his focus on conducting and composing.

He frequently tours Europe, Japan and the U.S. writing for and performing as guest soloist with bands and orchestras as well as performing solo, duo, trio and quartet concerts. He leads a trio, quintet and an octet in New York City and performs duo concerts with various musical partners.

Ed is a veteran of many of the major big bands of the 1980s including the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich and Gerry Mulligan. He was a member of Jerry Garcia's band, played with and wrote for the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra (now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra) and his arrangement of "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" was nominated for a Grammy award in 1991.