Celebrate 40 years of groundbreaking music, artistry, and community with a special concert featuring musicians from across the school’s history. Bringing together alumni, faculty and special guests with The New School Studio Orchestra, this anniversary celebration honors the people and music that have shaped the school over four decades. Special guests to be announced. 

"The New School is steadily moving the center of gravity for collegiate jazz in New York further downtown." All About Jazz

ABOUT THE NEW SCHOOL STUDIO ORCHESTRA (NSSO)

Conducted by Keller Coker, The New School Studio Orchestra (NSSO) is composed of students from the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music and Mannes School of Music, often with guest artists, performing music from a wide variety of genres, including jazz, soul, pop, and improvised music. 

The thrilling U.S. premiere of Carla Bley’s Escalator Over the Hill was the epic close to the 2024–2025 season. The New York Times described the musicians as playing with “rattling intensity," adding "The sound seemed to shudder like a pot about to blow its lid." All About Jazz stated, "Presenting a cherished '70s cult jazz-rock album in its U.S. performance debut was a high-wire act of artistic bravery, yet the New School ensemble triumphed over the odds. This was very much a student performance, even if its stellar standard forced you to frequently—and delightedly—remind yourself of that improbable fact." And in the words of UK Jazz News: “The student band impressively embodied Bley’s gonzo vision. This was a worthy and deeply enjoyable ride on Escalator Over the Hill, and a historic moment to boot.”

The 2025/2026 season offered a remarkable lineup, beginning with the inimitable 1930s Radio Night. The Grammy-winning Fandango at the Wall featured The New School’s Arturo O’Farrill, his Afro Latin Jazz Octet, and The Conga Patria Son Jarocho Collective. The second annual NSSO Holiday Swing ushered in the holiday season, featuring music from Ella Fitzgerald’s beloved Christmas albums and Jazz at Lincoln Center holiday arrangements, with special guest Brianna Thomas. March brought The Blue Note Records All Stars Evening, featuring James Francies, Joel Ross, and Immanuel Wilkins. All About Jazz praised the program, writing, "The New School is steadily moving the center of gravity for collegiate jazz in New York further downtown." The season culminated in May with the joyful A Motown Spectacular, featuring music by The Temptations, The Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, and more.