There is no artistic director or chief conductor; instead, all projects, productions and financial matters are decided and supported by the musicians directly.

[1][2] Currently, the ensemble combines 19 soloists from different backgrounds: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Switzerland, and the United States.

Over the years, Ensemble Modern has had significant collaborations with many composers, including John Adams, George Benjamin, Hans Zender, Péter Eötvös, Heiner Goebbels, Friedrich Goldmann, Hans Werner Henze, Mauricio Kagel, Helmut Lachenmann, György Kurtág, György Ligeti, Steve Reich, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Frank Zappa.

The Academy, in conjunction with the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts (HfMDK), offers a one-year master's degree to composers, conductors, instrumentalists, and sound engineers.

[6] Former members include Ingo Metzmacher (piano),[7] Peter Rundel (violin) and Franck Ollu (horn),[8] now prominent conductors.