Vocal jazz show noteworthy hit
Ian Davis
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: The Edge
Last Thursday marked the culmination of the hard work and dedication of a new Western Illinois University Vocal Jazz Ensemble. After practicing for weeks, the group performed for a packed audience at the College of Fine Arts and
Communication Recital Hall.
The ensemble, titled "Shades of Grey," is made up of 19 student vocalists and a permanent four-student instrumental combo. The ensemble is directed by Dr. Brenda K.S. Fauls, Assistant Professor of Choral Music
Education at Western.
The vocal ensemble also has two assistant directors, Annie Neavill and Paul Reese. Both assistants work as graduate assistants with the Choral Music Education program.
Additionally, the instrumental combo has one assistant director, Brandon Clay, jazz piano studies graduate assistant.
"The focus of the vocal jazz ensemble is to introduce a variety of jazz styles and performance standards with respect to technical mastery and modeled styles of jazz teaching," Fauls said.
The style chosen for "Shades of Grey" is Latin jazz, for many different reasons. "Latin vocal jazz has a very relaxed vocal tone which undergraduate students can master without conflict with their private classical voice lessons," Fauls explained.
Because Latin jazz has strong non-English roots, many of the songs performed in "Shades of Grey" are written in different languages. To address this, a guest clinician was asked to help prepare the ensemble.
Dr. Jose Rivera, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, came to help the ensemble. Rivera, who is bilingual with a strong Puerto Rican background, aided students with the language aspect of the songs and applying that knowledge to good vocalization.
"Although our time with Dr. Rivera was limited, around seven hours, the result is evident today and has positively
influenced all of us," Fauls said.
Members in the audience were at no shortage of songs to listen to, as the program boasted 12 ensemble pieces, six solo pieces and four pieces performed by the instrumental combo. Each piece was met with much enthusiasm from the crowd, and despite the large set program, the applause never dwindled.
Chris Elliott, a sophomore from Illinois Central College, was visiting the campus that night and was blown away by the performance. "I'm glad my friend decided to bring me to this tonight. I'm a huge fan of jazz, and this performance is one of the best I've seen by a college. It was great," he said.
Last Thursday was not the only performance of "Shades of Grey." They will also be performing this Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. at Café Aroma, located at 301 W. University Dr., across from Godfather's Pizza.
Communication Recital Hall.
The ensemble, titled "Shades of Grey," is made up of 19 student vocalists and a permanent four-student instrumental combo. The ensemble is directed by Dr. Brenda K.S. Fauls, Assistant Professor of Choral Music
Education at Western.
The vocal ensemble also has two assistant directors, Annie Neavill and Paul Reese. Both assistants work as graduate assistants with the Choral Music Education program.
Additionally, the instrumental combo has one assistant director, Brandon Clay, jazz piano studies graduate assistant.
"The focus of the vocal jazz ensemble is to introduce a variety of jazz styles and performance standards with respect to technical mastery and modeled styles of jazz teaching," Fauls said.
The style chosen for "Shades of Grey" is Latin jazz, for many different reasons. "Latin vocal jazz has a very relaxed vocal tone which undergraduate students can master without conflict with their private classical voice lessons," Fauls explained.
Because Latin jazz has strong non-English roots, many of the songs performed in "Shades of Grey" are written in different languages. To address this, a guest clinician was asked to help prepare the ensemble.
Dr. Jose Rivera, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, came to help the ensemble. Rivera, who is bilingual with a strong Puerto Rican background, aided students with the language aspect of the songs and applying that knowledge to good vocalization.
"Although our time with Dr. Rivera was limited, around seven hours, the result is evident today and has positively
influenced all of us," Fauls said.
Members in the audience were at no shortage of songs to listen to, as the program boasted 12 ensemble pieces, six solo pieces and four pieces performed by the instrumental combo. Each piece was met with much enthusiasm from the crowd, and despite the large set program, the applause never dwindled.
Chris Elliott, a sophomore from Illinois Central College, was visiting the campus that night and was blown away by the performance. "I'm glad my friend decided to bring me to this tonight. I'm a huge fan of jazz, and this performance is one of the best I've seen by a college. It was great," he said.
Last Thursday was not the only performance of "Shades of Grey." They will also be performing this Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. at Café Aroma, located at 301 W. University Dr., across from Godfather's Pizza.
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