FOR CHORAL DIRECTORS, HIGH SCHOOL
AND COLLEGE STUDENTS
AND PROFESSIONAL SINGERS
 

Workshop Content

THE ART OF VOCAL JAZZ: Like classical music, vocal jazz is serious music. Its primary concern is musical integrity and with doing an artistic and creative re-creation of the music. A main focus of the workshop is to explore the art of vocal jazz and to cover in depth those factors which make artistic ensemble and solo singing possible.

REHEARSAL TECHNIQUE:
Through analysis of rehearsal problems encountered by educator-directors, rehearsal efficiency will be thoroughly covered. Habits that waste time, techniques that are counter-productive, short cuts to solving musical and vocal problems-these and other aspects of the conductor’s job will be discussed and worked with in the actual rehearsal situation. A primary goal of the workshop is to help all participating educators improve their rehearsal efficiency and effectiveness.

SOLO JAZZ PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE:
“Standards” - the songs of Gershwin, Rodgers Berlin, Kern, Porter, Jobim, Mercer, Carmichael and others - are the musical foundation on which jazz is built. Learning this repertoire and performing it in a solo setting is an experience of great musical and educational potential. Each day, all workshop participants have two private coaching sessions in solo performance and sing in the evening solo recital.

GOALS/POTENTIALS OF THE MUSICAL AND ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE:
Given the fragmentation of education and life in America today, the workshop will examine the significance of music and music education and discuss music’s potential for creating community and healing among individuals.

MUSIC/JAZZ THEORY:
Understanding music is necessary for intelligent performance and teaching. Participants are grouped in small classes and take two daily lessons in theory, score study and aural skills.

IMPROVISATION:
Approaching music creatively is a major focus of the workshop. Practice in improvisation and discussions of methods of teaching creativity are covered from several perspectives.

CHORAL LITERATURE:
A selection of quality, useable literature for high school and college choirs will be sight-read, studied and performed at the workshop.

VOCAL JAZZ LITERATURE:
Significant vocal jazz literature, both published and unpublished, will be studied, rehearsed and performed.

VOCAL ARRANGING:
Studies in vocal arranging techniques will be given during the workshop.

RHYTHM SECTION AND SOUND REINFORCEMENT PRINCIPLES:
Solutions to the artistic problems encountered in training rhythm sections and using sound systems will be addressed.

SPECIAL CURRICULUM FOR RHYTHM SECTION PLAYERS:
Players will receive private instruction, music theory and improvisation classes and have the opportunity to play within the workshop.

FELLOWSHIP:
Each evening following the solo recital, participants will meet informally at a nearby restaurant.