Jazz Singers I
The University of North Texas Jazz Singers is the primary vocal jazz ensemble within the Division of Jazz Studies. During the 2010-2011 academic year, Rodney Booth will served as director.
Jazz Singers I provides a central focus in the study of vocal jazz. They have been named "Best College Jazz Choir" numerous times by Down Beat magazine, and have performed at national/international conferences (IAJE, MENC, ACDA, others), national festivals, including UNC/Greeley and Wichita, and have toured Asia.
Consisting of 10-16 singers and a 4-8 piece band, UNT Jazz Singers perform musical selections taken from the standard and contemporary jazz repertoire. Jazz Singers I rehearses twice a week (12:30 - 1:50 pm. Tuesdays/Thursdays), with additional weekly sectional rehearsals. The ensemble performs 3 to 5 times each semester, and records each year. Jazz Singers II performs 2-3 times each semester, and also records at the end of the year. Jazz Singers III (SSAA) performs at the end of each long semester. UNT Jazz Singers 1 has released twelve albums.
Their recent off campus performances include:
- The Midwest Clinic (Chicago '08)
- International Association for Jazz Education (2005-New York, 2007-Toronto)
- North Texss Jazz Festival (annually, Addison, Texas)
- Sammons Jazz Series(2005 and 2008-Dallas)
- Denton Arts and Jazz Festival (annually)
- Texas Music Educators Association (2006, San Antonio)
Audition Information
The vocal jazz program, now in existence for over 30 years, focuses on strong performance skills, composing/arranging for vocal and instrumental ensembles, and on training as educators. Former members of UNT Jazz Singers perform in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Nashville, Toronto, Orlando, and are on university faculties across the United States and in Canada.
Visit the Jazz Studies website for audition information.
