Berklee Celebrates 40 Years of the Fall Together Concert

Berklee Celebrates 40 Years of the Fall Together Concert Faculty composers Bob Pilkington and Greg Hopkins are among the featured artists for this year's milestone event.

By

Lily Chopus

October 17, 2025

Faculty composer Greg Hopkins will be among the featured artists at this years concert.

Berklee's Harmony and Jazz Composition Department will present its 40th annual Fall Together concert on Wednesday, October 29, at 7:30 p.m. The performance will take place at the David Friend Recital Hall, located at 921 Boylston Street in Boston. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Fall Together concert is a yearly showcase of original compositions by jazz composition faculty, performed by the faculty jazz orchestra. Since its founding in 1985, the series has featured guest appearances by acclaimed artists such as Herb Pomeroy, Bob Brookmeyer, and many others.

Ever since I began teaching at Berklee, the Fall Together concert has been a cherished tradition, and I continue to be inspired by the dedication and creativity of the faculty who make this annual event possible said Ayn Inserto, assistant chair of harmony and jazz composition, and a longtime contributor to the Fall Together concert. It's always a joy to take part in this concert, and I look forward to the next forty years of Fall Together.

Returning this year are faculty composers Greg Hopkins and Bob Pilkington, who have contributed works to the concert since its beginning.

Hopkins, now in his 51st year teaching, has performed with Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Lena Horne, Gladys Knight, and a host of Motown artists. He is director of the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra and records as a performer and arranger with RCA Records. Pilkington, professor of jazz composition, has shared the stage with Bob Brookmeyer, the Brecker Brothers, Jimmy Giuffre, Paul Horn, Dave Liebman, Mike Stern, and Dave Weckl, among others. He has also appeared on recordings with Bob Moses, Julius Hemphill, Sam Rivers, and the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra.

Reflecting on the concert, Pilkington said, The annual Fall Together department concert has always been a highlight of the year for me. It gives me a connection to my colleagues, players, and composers, local and beyond. Every year it provides me with an opportunity to present new music-I've never repeated a piece. I am very thankful for that opportunity, and I know that it is equally invaluable for my colleagues as well.

Related Categories

News

Most Popular

Image by Maddie Ross, courtesy of Tape Op magazine

Building a Home Recording Studio? Here's What You Need. Experts break down the home studio setup and share tips to create a pro-level recording space on any budget.

Latest

Harmony and jazz professor Greg Hopkins is a featured artist at the 40th annual Fall Together concert

Image courtesy of Greg Hopkins

Berklee Celebrates 40 Years of the Fall Together Concert Faculty composers Bob Pilkington and Greg Hopkins are among the featured artists for this year's milestone event.

Stephen Spinelli shows off the Grammy he won as coproducer for Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price.

Photo by Michelle Parkos

Q&A with Boston Conservatory Choral Conductor Stephen Spinelli How his research into the lost manuscripts of composer Florence Price led to a Grammy-winning collaboration with Met Opera soprano Karen Slack.

Image courtesy of the artist

Student Spotlight: Alan Villanueva The graduate student and saxophonist, who performed on Natalia Lafourcades Latin Grammy-nominated Live at Carnegie Hall album, talks about discovering his musical identity and celebrating his Mexican roots.

Read All

Subscribe The latest sounds, stories, and ideas, sent to your inbox weekly.

LINK:	https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/berklee-celebrates-40-years-o...
	See more stories from berklee

Most recent headlines