Description: A four year, eight semester program with thirteen sessions per semester. Each class is a private session.

First Year: Introduction to Vocal Jazz

First semester: Historical Overview. An historical study of artist and movements in Jazz from a vocal perspective from the 1930's through the 1960's. This course will specifically focus on the recorded works and styles of Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, King Pleasure, Eddie Jefferson, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Nat King Cole, Billy Eckstine, Mel Tormé and Betty Carter.

Second semester: Performance Basics: The student shall prepare three selections for performance before a jury and possible participation in a small concert event. The student will select one song from the three styles of ballads, swing and the blues. Issues discussed shall be: the selection of keys, counting tempos, understanding basic time feels, understanding lead sheets and chord charts, microphone technique, lyric interpretation and phrasing and a study of bandstand terminology and protocol.

Second Year: Advanced Vocal Jazz Interpretation

First semester: The Composers: The student shall review the works of major composers of the idiom, including: Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart, Ellington, Harold Arlen, Bill Evans, Jerome Kern, Mancini, Lerner and Loewe, Mercer, Cole Porter, Fats Waller, Monk and others. In addition, the Brazilian influence will be discussed citing the works of Jobim, Nascimento, Lins, etc.

Second semester: Intermediate Performance: The student shall prepare three selections for performance for a jury and possible participation in a small concert event. Selections shall be made from standards studied in the previous semester and one shall be written by the student, either a lyric written to an instrumental melody or an entire song. Issues discussed shall be: a strong emphasis on lyric interpretation and the importance of "telling the story", an understanding of advanced time feels (odd meters, Latin and Brazilian rhythms, double time swing, etc.) and a focus on technique problems and affectations of the individual student.

Third Year: Vocal Jazz Improvisation.

First semester: Historical Overview. An historical study of instrumental and vocal jazz improvisation. The student shall study the improvised solos from instrumentalists of the BeBop, Cool and Modern periods, including the recorded and transcribed works of Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and others. The vocalese solos of Ella Fitzgerald, Eddie Jefferson, Jon Hendricks and other vocalists will be studied in depth.

Second semester: Applied Vocalese: The student will begin by memorizing a solo from recorded material studied in the previous semester. The student shall first express the solo with "scat syllables" and then write or improvise a "bebop" lyric over it. The student shall also learn to freely improvise over I,IV,V and II,V,I chord changes. The student shall prepare three improvisational selections for performance for a jury and possible participation in a small concert event.

Fourth Year: Applied Vocal Jazz

First semester: The State of the Art: A study of the marketing and repertoire of present day Jazz vocalists, focusing specifically on Cassandra Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diana Krall, Kevin Mahogany, Kurt Elling, Diane Schuur and Shirley Horn. Discussions will also include: choosing a direction (Jazz clubs, Broadway, club dates, teaching, etc.), defining one's own image and repertoire and soliciting and negotiating with venues and recording companies.

Second semester: Advanced Performance: The student shall apply all elements from the previous course of study to a recording project of three songs. One will be a lyric ballad, one will be improvisational and the third will be the student's choice based upon their desired direction. Issues discussed include: selection and arrangement of material, rehearsal and preparation of the material and understanding and working with studio technology. One session of the semester will be held in a recording studio for performance and recording of the above material. A lab fee will be required.