Jazz Vocal Workshop

Course details

Always wanted to sing jazz? The Jazz Vocal Workshop at Waltons New School of Music provides an extensive introduction to the wide range of skills and techniques required.

Jazz is as much an approach to as a style of music, and this course concentrates equally on understanding and interpreting jazz from the inside as it does on the techniques of singing it. Topics covered include:

• Physical and vocal warm-ups
• Voice technique
• Listening exercises and harmonies
• Defining your vocal range
• Rhythm work
• Jazz-style phrasing and expression
• Singing in various styles, including swing, Latin, bebop, ballads and the blues
• Basic improvisation
• Choosing repertoire and exploring jazz standards, including the songs of Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Rogers & Hart, etc.
• Using a microphone
• Developing your own unique style

The workshop will also include preparation with a professional jazz trio (piano, bass and drums), and (although this is not required) participants can showcase some of the material they have worked on in a final performance, open to the public. Participants are encouraged to invite family and friends along!

Although this workshop is an introduction to jazz singing, it is not intended for voice beginners.Participants in the Jazz Vocal Workshop should have some previous experience singing in choirs or musicals or have taken at least a term of private or group singing lessons; some musicianship (knowledge of scales, chords and rhythms) is helpful but not required.

Jenna is available to speak by phone with those interested in participating in this workshop. Please let us know by email or phone if you would like her to contact you.