Jeff Ball
Jeff W. Ball is the Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Brooklyn Wind Symphony, established in 2008 as the Grand Street Community Band. From its original thirty members, the organization has grown into the seventy-piece Brooklyn Wind Symphony and allowed for the formation of two additional ensembles, the ninety-piece Grand Street Community Band and the seventy-five piece Kings County Concert Band. The Brooklyn Wind Symphony is the first ever New York City based ensemble to be invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference. The Metropolitan Music Community, a 501c3 non-profit corporation on which Jeff serves as a board member, oversees all three organizations. Jeff now serves as the NYSSMA Chairperson for Community Music.
Jeff is also in his fifteenth year as Director of Bands and tenth year as Coordinator of Performing Arts at the Grand Street Campus (GSC) High Schools in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. His responsibilities include direction of the GSC Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band A and Beginner Band as well as overseeing a large performing arts department comprising more than 180 pianists, 60 guitarists, and courses in musical theater, piano, modern band and theater technology. The GSC band program involves over 400 students from the three Title 1 (high poverty) high schools that make up the campus. Over 95% of the band students at GSC begin their musical training in the ninth grade. Despite this late start, the four concert bands and three jazz bands at the school consistently receive the top ratings of “Gold” and “Gold with Distinction” at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) festival, often participating at the highest levels of five and six. Jeff has given the presentations about his work at GSC at many state and national music education conferences. Jeff was a semi-finalist for the 2019 Grammy Foundation Music Educator of the Year award.
Additionally, Jeff serves as director of the New York City “All-City” High School Concert Band, a ninety-piece auditioned honors ensemble that meets weekly and comprises the finest high school age musicians from New York City public schools. This ensemble features a “side-by-side” program each spring with the New York Philharmonic. Jeff also spent five years as director of the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music Wind Ensemble and as director of the New York City “All-City” High School Marching Band. Jeff spends his summers guest conducting at band camps and festivals ranging from Upstate New York to England, Japan and Australia.
Jeff received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Jazz Studies from Ithaca College in 2003 and his Master’s Degree in Music Education from the same institution in 2008. A resident of Ridgewood, Queens, he is an active guest conductor and clinician.
