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NEC Summer School: College/Adult Courses
Contemporary Improvisation and Jazz
- Blues Workshop
- Jazz Ensembles
- Jazz Ear Training
- Jazz Theory
- Sung and Unsung:Great Singers of Modern Jazz
- Film Noir: Allfred Hitchcock-The Director and His Music
- Jazz Vocal Performance Workshop
- Vocal Performance Workshop: Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) Styles
Blues Workshop
David Zoffer
Schedule TBA (four meetings; auditions: Saturday, May 31 )
In this performance-oriented class, students learn how to play Chicago and New Orleans blues from both a technical and an emotional perspective. Emphasis is placed on developing content (i.e., what to play), and on being able to deliver ideas with excitement and impact (i.e., how to play). Source material is drawn from such blues legends as Buddy Guy, B.B. King, James Booker, Magic Sam and many others. The use of the blues in jazz, funk and rock music is also explored. This is a class for the head and the heart; it emphasizes playing music with feeling.
Ensemble times will be scheduled at the convenience of the students and instructor following auditions. Course materials will be handed out before the class runs. All instruments and voice welcome. (Private lessons at NEC or elsewhere should be set aside to work on the pieces for this class to help prepare for the concert.) Auditions: Saturday, May 31, 2:00 p.m; call 617-585-1131 to reserve a time.
1 SCE credit or Non-credit: $500
Jazz Ensembles
David Zoffer, coordinator
Schedule TBA (eight meetings; auditions: Saturday, May 31 )
Jazz ensembles are formed at all levels for instrumentalists and vocalists. Emphasis is on exploring different jazz styles and improvisation techniques. Seven two-hour coaching sessions and a concluding concert will be scheduled at the mutual convenience of the participants and the coach. Auditions: Saturday, May 31, beginning at 2:00 p.m.; call 617-585-1131 to reserve a time.
1 SCE credit or Non-credit: $500
Jazz Ear Training
Eyran Katsenelenbogen
June 9 –July 14 (eight meetings)
June 9 –30: M, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
July 3,7,10,14, ThM: 6:30-8:30 p.m
In this class, an aural counterpart to Jazz Theory, students learn the fundamental aural recognition skills of the jazz musical vocabulary. Emphasis is on interval and chord recognition, jazz rhythmical rudiments, strengthening aural identification of standard harmonic progressions, simple transcription, vocal and instrumental imitation and improvisation. The class includes singing, and playing if applicable. No previous vocal experience is required, and instrumentalists at all levels are welcome. This class is suitable for beginning and intermediate students and will also accommodate the needs of more advanced students. If possible, please bring a recording device to class. Note: For further information, please call the instructor at 617-267-2648. Placement interviews: Saturday, May 31 beginning at 2:00 p.m; call 617-585-1131 to reserve a time.
1 SCE credit: $500
Non-credit: $355
Jazz Theory
Rick McLaughlin
June 10-July 29 (eight meetings)
Tu: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
A consideration of the harmonic and analytic vocabulary used by jazz musicians for compositional and improvisational development, with emphasis on understanding common technical terms and applying theoretical constructs to playing/singing in performance. Recordings of well-known jazz pieces demonstrate theory concepts, and class topics are tailored to the level of the participants. If possible, please bring a recording device to class. Placement interviews: Saturday, May 31 beginning at 2:00 p.m; call 617-585-1131 to reserve a time.
1 SCE credit: $500
Non-credit: $355
Sung and Unsung: Great Singers of Modern Jazz **CANCELLED**
Rebecca Shrimpton
June 11 —July 15 (six meetings)
W: 6:00—8:30 p.m.
Explore the development of modern jazz singing through the music of some of its greatest performers from 1945 to today, ranging from superstars to less widely known innovators. Featured singers include Sarah Vaughan, Helen Merrill, Carmen McRae, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln, Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, and Cassandra Wilson. Each class will focus on one or two singers, following the span of their careers, development of style, influences, and contemporaries. The course will feature important recordings—both signature songs and little-known gems—as well as video clips. Designed both for performers interested in exploring jazz singing styles or building song repertoire and for jazz fans or newcomers looking to delve into the vast treasure of modern jazz vocal recordings. Assignments will be tailored to the interests and abilities of individual students.
1 SCE credit: $ 500
Non-credit: $355
Film Noir: Alfred Hitchcock-The Director and His Music **CANCELLED**
Ran Blake
June 12, 14-15: The English Period
Th: 6:00-9:00 p.m.
SaSu: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 6:00-9:00 p.m.
June 19, 21-22: The American Period
Th: 6:00-9:00 p.m.
SaSu: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 6:00 -9:00 p.m.
Alfred Hitchcock is probably the 20th century's most celebrated director of mysteries and thrillers, but many of his best films are more complex: there lurk dark corridors filled with guilt transference, the persecution of the innocent (the "wrong man") and the noir aesthetic. Ran Blake will also focus on the music: from Poulenc to circus rags, from the semi-atonal to English pop, a whole world of sound fascinates the movie viewer. Students in the course are encouraged to participate musically by composing and improvising on the plots, themes, characters and shadows of the works of this great director.
Schedule of films (subject to change)
The English Period (June 12, 14-15)
The Lodger
Blackmail The 39 Steps
S ABOTAGE
Young and Innocent,
Jamaica Inn
The American Period (June 19, 21-22)
Shadow of a Doubt
Spellbound & Notorious
Paradine Case & Rope
Strangers on a Train
I Confess
Per weekend: 1 UG/G credit: $1000/$2000
Discounted tuition rate for Session I & II combined (2 UG/G credits): $1700/$3400
Per weekend: 1 SCE credit: $500
Discounted tuition rate for Sessions I & II combined (2 SCE credits): $850
Jazz Vocal Performance Workshop
Kris Adams
July 25-27(three days)
Fri: 7:00-9:00 p.m
Sat: 1:00-5:00 p.m
Sun: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Final concert: Sunday, July 27, 6:00 p.m.
In this class, singers will learn the skills necessary for jazz vocal performance. The weekend session will include repertoire, writing lead sheets, transposing, talking down a tune, intros and endings, and improvisation. Please call the instructor at 617-747-8447 for further information and an audition.
Non-credit: $255
Vocal Performance Workshop: Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) Styles **CANCELLED**
Celia Slattery
June 27-29 (three days)
Friday: 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Final recital: Sunday, June 29, 3:00 p.m.
While building on the foundation of classical (bel canto) voice training, CCM styles - i.e., Jazz, Pop, Folk, Rock, Musical Theater, Cabaret --require a different approach to technique and unique stylistic considerations. This is an opportunity to work in a supportive group atmosphere on different aspects of your vocal performance including:
- Vocal technique (utilizing Somatic Voicework™ the Lovetri method): learn to mix head and chest registers; how to "belt" safely.
- Style and interpretation: learn styles appropriate to popular musical genres, and become a more expressive performer.
- Performance coaching: prepare for musical theater auditions, club gigs, open mics etc.
Prerequisite: previous vocal training or permission of the instructor. Note: Participants should come prepared with sheet music for three songs they know by heart, in their key. Accompanist provided.
Non-credit: $310