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Diana R Spradling
kelli tuinstra, a member of western michigan university's gold company, focuses on posture and breathing while working with a stand microphone.
As the training ground for jazz vocal musicians continues to move into college and university settings, the question of its "place" in institutions traditionally reserved for classical/art music continues to be raised by both classical studio-voice and conducted-ensemble faculty. Opinions seem as varied as they are on politics and religion: some programs are curricularly well-established and highly successful while others are peripheral and/or somewhat controversial.
What are the parameters of a successful vocal jazz program? Why is vocal jazz successful in some institutions and not in others? What keeps a program from succeeding?
CURRICULAR STRUCTUREThere are generally three levels of vocal jazz curricular activity:
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*accredited degree programs in jazz;
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*other music degrees with a concentration in jazz;
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*ensemble offerings in instrumental and/or vocal jazz--frequently non-credit--and an occasional elective offered (such as jazz history).
Let's examine two equally well-established degree programs and hear from selected faculty. The University of Miami offers both a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Studio Music and Jazz with a jazz vocal emphasis. Western Michigan University offers both a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Voice Performance with an emphasis in jazz.
In addition to the guidance of pedagogues, students in these programs experience intensive study in jazz theory, history, arranging, improvisation, and performance practices. They have access to large listening libraries, state-of-the-art recording studios, instrumental combos, and regular master classes given by a variety of highly successful, working jazz musicians. Graduates find work in a variety of settings
wmu jazz studies major seth ashby concentrates on neck, jaw, and lip position to get a more flexible tone.
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