USM School of Music Areas of Study

Vocal Jazz Ensembles
Directed by Michelle Snow

The singers in the USM Vocal Jazz Ensembles perform a diverse repertoire of jazz and pop standards in a setting that encourages self-expression, communication, improvisation and the highest degree of musicianship. Arrangements are drawn from the very best jazz vocal arrangers and performers including New York Voices, The Real Group, Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, Kurt Elling, Manhattan Transfer, Vox One, Syncopation, Rare Silk, The Mills Brothers, The Boswell Sisters, and Kerry Marsh. Students are auditioned to sing in one or both of the two vocal jazz ensembles and singers perform with individual microphones both a cappella and with an instrumental trio. VJE 1 consists of 4-7 singers, and VJE2 consists of 8-12 singers.
The singers of Vocal Jazz Ensemble 1 were featured in 2008 on the WCHS6 television program “207” and were guest performers at the 2008 Maine All State Music Festival in Orono. The ensembles perform at numerous events each semester including public concerts and private functions, in addition to many clinics, workshops and concerts at schools throughout Maine.

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The singers in the USM Vocal Jazz Ensembles perform a diverse repertoire of jazz and pop standards in a setting that encourages self-expression, communication, improvisation and the highest degree of musicianship. Arrangements are drawn from the very best jazz vocal arrangers and performers including New York Voices, The Real Group, Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, Kurt Elling, Manhattan Transfer, Vox One, Syncopation, Rare Silk, The Mills Brothers, The Boswell Sisters, and Kerry Marsh. Students are auditioned to sing in one or both of the two vocal jazz ensembles and singers perform with individual microphones both a cappella and with an instrumental trio. VJE 1 consists of 4-7 singers, and VJE2 consists of 8-12 singers. The singers of Vocal Jazz Ensemble 1 were featured in 2008 on the WCHS6 television program “207” and were guest performers at the 2008 Maine All State Music Festival in Orono. The ensembles perform at numerous events each semester including public concerts and private functions, in addition to many clinics, workshops and concerts at schools throughout Maine.