Lane Community College Music, Dance & Theatre Arts MUS292-Vocal Jazz Ensemble, a.k.a.

Spectrum MWF 2-2:50 Vicki Brabham, Director: brabhamv@lanecc.edu; Office #137; Hrs; Th 9-11 a.m. Spectrum is a 12-16 member vocal jazz performance ensemble. Entrance is by audition only. Prior exposure to music reading and basic music theory through Music Fundamentals, Group Piano, or the equivalent, is preferred but not required. Prior experience in a vocal ensemble such as Concert Choir, Gospel Choir, or through Group Voice or Individual Instruction in Voice is preferred but not required. A basic vocal audition is required. Read, rehearse & perform music of the various vocal jazz idiom including Swing, Blues, Latin & Ballad styles. Student must have the ability to learn music on his/her own, be prepared and on-time to class, and be enthusiastic about the music. Singers learn 4,5 & 6-part music, vocal jazz techniques and interpretation, toward the goal of performing the music stylistically correct. Singers learn individual microphone technique, and have the opportunity to audition for solos as they appear in the choral arrangements. The course outcome is to prepare, by memory, 4 songs to participate in one required end-of-the-term concert. Weekly sectionals are encouraged. The primary means of grading is by 1) attendance & participation, 2) ability to learn ones individual part accurately and by memory, and 3) participation in the final concert. Grading/Participation: I dont use a strict point system, but I do keep records of your attendance, your level of preparation, and your participation in sectional rehearsals. Each absence will result in lowering your grade ONE FULL LETTER GRADE. **** There are NO MAKE UP possibilities. If you miss, you must figure out how to get your material learned properly. This is a professional standard. ****Absences with a doctor/health center note will be excused. Resources& Materials: It is expected that you use the resources made available to you on the Moodle site. That is where you will find your music (to be printed on your own), and recordings of your vocal parts, along with listening examples that will help influence your ability to present vocal jazz authentically. Participation in the final dress rehearsal and concert are mandatory in order to receive a grade and to continue participation in Spectrum. I dont give Incompletes in this class. You either succeed or you fail. A passing grade must be a C or above.

Members of Vocal Jazz Ensemble are expected to be on time, courteous and respectful to others in rehearsal, cooperative with the section leader, cooperative with loading in/out the sound system, and enthusiastic about participation in the ensemble. Concert dress will be decided on amongst the current members of the group.