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The Maria Schneider Orchestra

A century ago, in September 1905, the Mahaiwe Theater opened its doors in Great Barrington, Mass. A home for vaudeville, and later for movies, this medium-sized gem of a theater in the Berkshires eventually fell into disuse. But today, the community is supporting a complete restoration of the magnificent interior, adding air conditioning, digital sound and a glorious new curtain. That curtain rises on the Maria Schneider Orchestra.

2005 has been a memorable year for Schneider. She won a Grammy and walked away with four Jazz Journalists Awards. And that was just in the first six months.

Schneider is slim with long red hair. She dances as she conducts. She moved from Minnesota via the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., to New York City, where she ran into composer Gil Evans in a copy shop. She became his assistant. Another great influence on her colorful yet transparent writing for orchestra is Bob Brookmeyer.

In the early '90s, Schneider formed a big band that she led every Monday night at Visiones (now defunct) in Greenwich Village. Now, many Schneider compositions later, the same orchestra is at home throughout the world. When the full band can't make it, Schneider travels alone, leading orchestras in clinics and performances of her remarkable book.

Schneider also has left the record companies behind. She is leading the jazz world in marketing her music through her highly functional Web site. Her CDs are limited editions available through mariaschneider.com. Scores, interviews and online features give teachers and students access to her work. Many jazz musicians are following her model, developed in partnership with ArtistShare.