Poster Maria Schneider with the two Grammys she won in 2016
Maria Schneider with the two Grammys she won in 2016
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Ten things to know about Minnesotan composer Maria Schneider

2. She studied music at the University of Minnesota, focusing on music theory and composition. In 2013, she received an honorary doctorate from the university.

3. She moved to New York City in 1985 to study composition with Bob Brookmeyer, the well-known jazz trombonist, arranger and composer. Around this same time, Schneider also began working for jazz musician and composer Gil Evans as his assistant.

4. In 1993, she formed the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra. With her orchestra she has performed at countless concert halls and jazz festivals in the U.S. as well as in Europe, Asia, and South America.

5. Schneider has performed in 30 different countries with over 80 different groups. She has also guest-conducted in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Holland, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Sweden, and across the U.S.

8. Throughout her career, Schneider has won a total of five Grammy Awards, as well as countless other awards including the Doris Duke award in 1998, "Composer of the Year" and "Arranger of the Year" Jazz Journalists Awards in 2005, and a Choc Award in France in 2007.

Lillian Speakmannis a senior at Hamline University.

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