Division of Jazz Studies | College of Music

For information on Vocal Jazz auditions, see the Vocal Jazz Auditions page.

Degrees: Jazz Vocal Performance is one of three areas of degree emphasis at the Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral (DMA) levels. Within the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, students are involved in private applied lessons, recitals, vocal jazz forum, and the vocal jazz ensemble program.

Program of Study
In both the Bachelor and Master of Music Jazz Studies degrees, singers study the traditions and techniques of vocal jazz performance (both solo and group), jazz aural and keyboard skills, jazz theory and arranging, as well as courses in jazz history. In addition to jazz courses and ensembles, undergraduates must satisfy College of Music and University Core requirements.

Ensembles
Participation in one of the four vocal jazz ensembles (UNT Jazz Singers, Avenue C, Third Street and West End) is open to any UNT student (regardless of major), on the basis of live auditions, held at the beginning of each semester. For more information visit the UNT Jazz Singers auditions page. To hear examples of Jazz Singers recordings, visit here.
Vocal jazz majors are expected to participate in a jazz ensemble every semester.

Applied Lessons
• Undergraduate vocal jazz students study jazz voice with a Graduate Teaching Fellow during their first four semesters of applied voice. Following a successful Upper Division Examination (UDE), students study with one of the senior faculty (either Rosana Eckert or Jennifer Barnes). The senior recital occurs in the 8th semester.
• Graduate students pursuing the Master of Music in Jazz Studies have four semesters of vocal jazz applied study. The graduate recital occurs in the fourth semester.

Courses
For a listing and description of courses offered in vocal jazz and related subjects, see the Jazz Studies courses page.

Vocal Jazz Forums
Vocal Jazz Forums are scheduled each Friday afternoon at 3 PM in Lab East (Room 263) in the fall and spring semesters, featuring two or three students with instrumental accompaniment sharing the 50-minute performance, as well as specialized topics of interest. All vocal jazz majors are expected to be in attendance.

Vocal Jazz Recitals
The senior recital occurs in the last semester of study, and is shared by two student performers. Before presenting a senior recital, the student must first pass the Final Improvisation Proficiency Examination (FIPE), scheduled at the end of MUJS 4120, Vocal Jazz Styles. The senior recital may be given only in Fall or Spring semester; recital procedures and requirements are available in the Office of Jazz Studies.

The graduate recital is given by one singer, and occurs in the last Fall or Spring semester of study. Prior to the graduate vocal jazz recital, the student must earn an A or B in MUJS 4120, Vocal Jazz Styles, or test out of the course. Before being approved to present a graduate recital the singer must pass the Graduate Improvisation Proficiency Exam (GIPE).

For Further Information:
Contact Jennifer Barnes (email) and Rosana Eckert (email) for information regarding vocal jazz at UNT.
• For UNT Jazz Singers information visit here.
• For North Texas Vocal Jazz Workshop (held each summer at UNT) information visit here.
• For Jazz Singers recordings visit here.