Contra Costa College
Course Outline
Course Number
Course Title
Prerequisite
Challenge Policy
MUSIC 177
Commercial Vocal Ensemble: Jazz-ology
MUSIC 176
Audition for director (instructor) demonstrating
entrance-level skills.
Co-requisite
Challenge Policy
Advisory
None
Number of Weeks
Lecture Hours By Term
Lab Hours By Term
*Hours By Arrangement
Units
18
18-54
LECAR
0-108
LABAR
1-5
None
*HOURS BY ARRANGEMENT:
18-162
Hours per term.
ACTIVITIES: (Please provide a list of the activities students will perform in order to satisfy the HBA requirement):
Large group rehearsal
Small group rehearsal
Large and small group repertoire building
Musical analysis: harmony, form, improvisation, timbre, rhythmic feel, phrasing feel, historical style
Professional and self-critique amplified performance analysis: accuracy, tone, texture, phrasing, style,
improvisation, microphone technique, audience connection
Rhythm section rehearsal
COURSE/CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course explores the vocal ensemble skills needed in the commercial music industry: press packet creation, gig
negotiation, audience connection, imitation of historical group styles and sounds, vocal studio recording techniques,
stylistic improvisation and rhythm section interaction.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of the course the student will be able to:
Demonstrate one's part against another part a cappella with stylistic vocal tone.
Demonstrate one's part within an ensemble amplified with accuracy: tone, pitch, rhythm, color, intonation.
Demonstrate knowledge of historical jazz styles through melodic and rhythmic phrasing and improvisation.
Demonstrate performance technique through effective stage presence as a soloist, ensemble member, and announcer.
Demonstrate understanding of how to work with a professional rhythm section by improvising with harmonic
understanding, rhythmic connection, and professional comportment.
INTENDED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will demonstrate their ability to vocally improvise over blues or rhythm changes.
COURSE CONTENT (Lecture):
Analysis of historical jazz vocal ensemble styles and sounds through listening
Improvisation and rehearsal
Performance workshops
Studio recording
COURSE CONTENT (Lab):
Part reading, part demonstration, improvisation, and rehearsal
Performances
Improvisation
Marketing
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lecture, demonstration and rehearsal, collaborative learning, problem solving and presentation.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
NOTE: To be UC/CSU transferable, the text must be dated within the last 7 years OR a statement of justification for a text beyond the
last 7 years must be included.
Textbook Title: Selected pieces of music from the academic jazz vocal repertoire, including charts,
commissioned arrangements, and originals.
Example: What a Fool Believes, Arr. Walter Bankovitch
Example: Walter John Music
Example: Copyright 2015
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
Textbook Reading Level: NA
Justification Statement:
Vocal repertoire uses musical notation with pitches and rhythms notated on the grand
staff. Translation of the notation, musical reading is taught in MUSIC 119, and 150A &
150B.
Traditional textbook readability analysis would not apply to this course.
OUTSIDE OF CLASS WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS:
Title 5, section 55002.5 establishes that a range of 48 -54hours of lecture, study, or lab work is required for one unit of credit.
For each hour of lecture, students should be required to spend an additional two hours of study outside of class to earn one
unit of credit.
 State mandates that sample assignments must be included on the Course Outline of Record.
Outside of Class Weekly Assignments
Hours per week
Weekly Reading Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
.5-1
Create a Biography for a press packet.
1. Research biographies for jazz vocalists similar to yourself.
2. Create a list of accomplishments: Education, Performances, Ensemble affiliations, Awards, and
Recordings.
3. Write a three-paragraph biography.
Weekly Writing Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
.5-1
Same as above.
Write an essay on a historical vocal jazz group, i.e. the Hi-Los.
Note:
Discography
Individual member biographies
Weekly Math Problems (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Lab or Software Application Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
.5-5
Rehearse m1-90 of What a Fool Believes. Sing on counts and text. Rehearse in duets, trios, quartet, and quintet.
Other Performance Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
.5-3
Practice Journal Worksheet
A practice week should consist of five days. Use this worksheet example to gather
information about your practice sessions each day.
Day, Time In/Out
Task 1 & # repetitions
What needs improvement & how will improve?
Task 2 & # repetitions
Task 3 & # repetitions
Task 3 & # repetitions
Other considerations:
metronome markings (slow to fast), how many mistakes each repetition, dynamics, balance,
tone
Were you happy with your practice session? What are your challenges?
STUDENT EVALUATION: (Show percentage breakdown for evaluation instruments)
 Course must require use of critical thinking, college-level concepts & college-level learning skills.
 For degree credit, course requires essay writing unless that requirement would be inappropriate to the course objectives. If writing
is inappropriate, there must be a requirement of problem-solving or skills demonstration.
10
% Essay (If essay is not included in assessment, explain below.)
35
30
15
10
%
%
%
%
%
%
Computation or Non-computational Problem Solving Skills
Skills Demonstration
Objective Examinations
Other (describe)
Ensemble public performance
Event presentation
Ensemble classroom presentations
GRADING POLICY: (Choose LG, P/NP, or SC)
Letter Grade
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
Pass / No Pass
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass
Prepared by: S. Austin
Date: Spring 2015
Revised form 01/14
X
Student Choice
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
or
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass