Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf

Thomas Forkert
Assistant professor for Jazz and Pop Arrangement

thomas.forkert(at)rsh-duesseldorf.de
www.members.sibeliusmusic.com/incredibleflutemusic

Thomas Forkert, born 1965, trumpet player and pianist, studied jazz composition and arrangement at the Cologne University of Music with Prof. Bill Dobbins and at Arnheim (NL) Hogeschool voor de Kunsten with Dolf de Kinkelder, Andries van Rossem and Michiel Braam. Thomas Forkert was a member of the Jugendjazzorchesters NRW (Youth Jazz Orchestra North-Rhine-Westphalia) and Bundesjazzorchesters (National Jazz Orchestra), conducted by Peter Herbolzheimer, as a composer and arranger. 

Since 1995 Mr. Forkert has settled as a freelance composer and arranger. His many compositions vary in music genres, from jazz to new music. 

His main professional interests are compositions for Big Bands, combining elements of modern classic with traditional Big Band sounds, as well as writing contemporary chamber music and symphonic music for brass instruments. 

Thomas Forkert composed music on courtesy of Deutschen Musikrat, Clara-Schumann-School of Music, Duesseldorf, Gürzenich Choir, Cologne and, recently, the Internationalen Orgelfestival Duesseldorf.

Additionally, he teaches jazz trumpet, piano, pre-professional training and ensemble work at the Clara-Schumann-School of Music, Duesseldorf and Monheim-am-Rhein Music School. He also instructs various jazz workshops in jazz composition and arrangement. 

Forkert worked, amongst others, with Greg Hopkins, Jiggs Whigham, Peter Herbolzheimer, Bill Dobbins, Willie Thomas and John C. Marshall.

Since 2007, Mr. Forkert teaches Jazz- and Pop Arrangement as an assistant professor at the Institute For Music And Media of the University of Music Duesseldorf.