The Vocal Music Performance Program at The Collective is designed for the vocalist/musician.

Courses focus on developing the student in the areas of vocal technique, vocal performance in important styles and genres, musicianship, and practical professional skills and knowledge.

The Vocal Music Performance Program is divided into six 10-week quarters of study. The first four quarters (Vocal Performance Level 1-4) cover the basics of musicianship, exposure to important musical styles, and the opportunity to gain experience rehearsing and performing in a live band setting. Vocal Performance Level 5 and 6 give each student the opportunity to apply what they have learned, in the live performance arena as well as the recording studio. Each student produces six original or cover songs for use in their own professional and promotional material.


Vocal Performance Level 1 – Vocal Preparatory A

Vocal Preparatory A is designed as The Collective’s entry level of study, and focuses on developing the rudimentary, technical, and musicianship skills required for further study, as well as an introduction to ensemble performance and the study of Classic Rock repertoire.

Vocal Preparatory A includes the following courses: 

Musicianship

Musicianship 1:
This class coordinates with Keyboard 1 and introduces the basic theoretical concepts and skill sets required for every well trained musician and applies them in a direct and immediate way to the keyboard. Coursework covers rhythm and pitch notation, scales, key signatures, practical aspects of lead sheet notation, and chart writing.

Keyboard 1:
This class coordinates with Musicianship 1 and begins the study of keyboard technique with an emphasis on developing basic chromatic and major scale and chord performance skills.

Sight Singing/Ear Training 1:
Students work on a wide range of sequential material, including aural comprehension of basic pitch and rhythmic elements, and single line and part singing in a variety of keys, meters, and musical settings.

Performance

Styles Performance: Rock/Blues:
Students work with their teacher and a professional accompanist, both of whom are specialists in the styles being studied. Repertoire, as well as stylistic and performance considerations of the style are worked on in these sessions.

Real Deal Rehearsal 1:
Students “lead” an ensemble of professional musicians and are expected to be able to communicate effectively on a musician-to-musician basis, using material they have prepared, in advance, in other classes.

Quarter-End Recital:
All students in the vocal performance program participate in the vocal music performance. Students are able to select and rehearse pieces to be performed at this event.

Vocal Ensemble:
This class gives students the opportunity to perform together in a wide variety of styles and settings, while developing the skill sets required to work on the highest levels of recorded commercial and live performance vocal music. Each subsequent semester deals with different aspects of this challenging lucrative field.

Vocal Technique

Vocal Technique and Private Lesson:
All vocal students are assigned a weekly vocal technique class where the mechanics and physiology of singing are studied in great detail. This gives the student the opportunity to apply what is being studied about the voice in terms of the individual student’s needs.


Vocal Performance Level 2 – Vocal Preparatory B

Vocal Preparatory B continues the work done in Vocal Preparatory A, and focuses on rudimentary, technical, and musicianship skills. Vocal Preparatory B also focuses on higher levels of skill development in pop and R&B styles. 

Vocal Preparatory B includes the following classes:

Musicianship

Musicianship 2:
This class coordinates with Keyboard 2 and continues the music theory and ear training sequence, focusing on major scale and triadic chord progressions. Coursework covers rhythm and pitch notation, scales, key signatures, practical aspects of lead sheet notation, and chart writing.

Keyboard 2:
This class coordinates with Musicianship 2 and continues the study of keyboard technique with an emphasis on mastering all the major scales and simple triadic chord progression skills.

Sight Singing/Ear Training 2:
Students continue to work on a wide range of sequential material, including aural comprehension of basic pitch and rhythmic. Elements, single line and part singing in a variety of keys, meters, and musical settings. 

Performance

Real Deal Rehearsal 2:
Students continue to work on developing the ability to “lead” an ensemble of professional musicians and are expected to be able to communicate effectively on a musician-to-musician basis, using material they have prepared, in advance, in other classes.

Quarter-End Recital:
All students participate in the quarter-end vocal recital. Students are able to select and rehearse pieces to be performed at this event.

Vocal Ensemble:
This class gives students the opportunity to perform together in a wide variety of styles and settings, while developing the skill sets required to work on the highest levels of recorded commercial and live performance music. Each quarter concentrates on different aspects of this challenging, lucrative field.

Vocal Technique

Vocal Technique and Private Lesson:
All vocal students are assigned a weekly vocal technique class where the mechanics and physiology of singing are studied in great detail. This gives the student the opportunity to apply what is being studied about the voice in terms of the individual student’s needs.


Vocal Performance Level 3 – Vocal Intermediate A

Vocal Intermediate A focuses on furthering the rudimentary, technical, and musicianship skills required for advanced study, as well as beginning songwriting and increased jazz and pop skills. 

Vocal Intermediate A includes the following classes: 

Musicianship

Musicianship 3:
This class coordinates with keyboard 3 and continues the music theory and ear training sequence, focusing on mastering the major scales, and diatonic chord progressions in all the major keys. 7th chord structures are introduced in this course. Coursework covers rhythm and pitch notation, scales, key signatures, practical aspects of lead sheet notation, and chart writing.

Keyboard 3:
This class coordinates with Musicianship 3 and continues the study of keyboard technique with an emphasis on mastering all the major scales and simple triadic chord progression skills, as well as introducing 7th chord structures. 

Songwriting 1:
This class focuses on developing the individual student’s composition ability. In the medium of popular music songwriting.

Performance

Styles Performance: Jazz/Standards:
Students work with their teacher and a professional accompanist, both of whom are specialists in the third of the four styles areas.  Repertoire, as well as stylistic and performance considerations of the style are worked on in these sessions.

Real Deal Rehearsal 3:
Students begin on this level to bring in and rehearse their own selections for music to be rehearsed by the band.

Quarter-End Recital:
All students participate in the quarter-end vocal recital. Students are able to select and rehearse pieces to be performed at this event.

Vocal Ensemble:
This class gives students the opportunity to perform together in a wide variety of styles and settings, while developing the skill sets required to work on the highest levels of recorded commercial and live performance music. Each quarter concentrates on different aspects of this challenging, lucrative field. 

Vocal Technique

Vocal Technique and Private Lesson:
All vocal students are assigned a weekly vocal technique class where the mechanics and physiology of singing are studied in great detail. This gives the student the opportunity to apply what is being studied about the voice in terms of the individual student’s needs.


Vocal Performance Level 4 – Vocal Intermediate B

Vocal Intermediate B continues the work done in Vocal Intermediate A to build intermediate-level technical and musicianship skills. Vocal Intermediate B focuses on higher levels of skill development in pop and R&B as well as professional vocal ensemble rehearsal techniques.

Vocal Intermediate B includes the following classes:

Musicianship

Musicianship 4:
This class coordinates with Keyboard 4 and completes the 4-course musicianship sequence, focusing on 7th chord construction and blues progressions. Coursework covers rhythm and pitch notation, scales, key signatures, practical aspects of lead sheet notation, and chart writing.

Keyboard 4:
This class completes the 4-course keyboard sequence. The focus of this course is on 7th chord progressions including the blues progressions.

Songwriting/Composition 2:
This two-part class continues to focus on developing the individual student’s composition ability, in the medium of popular music songwriting.

Performance

Styles Performance: Contemporary R&B/Pop:
Students work with their teacher and a professional accompanist, both of whom are specialists in the fourth and final style area. Repertoire, as well as stylistic and performance considerations of the style are worked on in these sessions.

Real Deal Rehearsal 4:
The Real Deal Rehearsal 4 sequence gives each student the responsibility to schedule a full sequence of material of varying styles for rehearsal and performance of student-selected music.

Quarter-End Recital:
All students participate in the quarter-end vocal recital. Students are able to select and rehearse pieces to be performed at this event.     

Vocal Ensemble:
This course gives students the opportunity to perform together in a wide variety of styles and settings, while developing the skill sets required to work on the highest levels of recorded commercial and live performance music. Each quarter concentrates on different aspects of this challenging, lucrative field.

Vocal Technique

Vocal Technique and Private Lesson:
All vocal students are assigned a weekly vocal technique class where the mechanics and physiology of singing are studied in great detail. This gives the student the opportunity to apply what is being studied about the voice in terms of the individual student’s needs.


Vocal Performance Level 5 – Vocal Advanced A

Vocal Advanced A is the first level of an intensive two-quarter period of advanced study. Vocal Advanced A continues to develop students’ skills while applying what they have learned and produce their own music in a professional manner. 

Vocal Advanced A includes the following classes:

Musicianship

Musicianship 5:
Students in this class work on refining their aural skills. Coursework includes advanced sight-singing, transcription, and transposition work.

Keyboard/Guitar Songwriting 1:
This class is the first of two courses focusing on original song composition and the basics of practical keyboard and/or guitar self-accompaniment for vocalists.

Recording Projects 1

Four-Class Recording Sequence 1

Recording Prep:
Students work with the faculty coordinator to select material and look over arrangements for the upcoming rehearsal and recording cycle. This teacher also acts as the student’s principal teacher and advisor.

Band Rehearsal:
Students rehearse material to be used in their final demo package.

Recording:
Students record with a live rhythm section the material they have selected and rehearsed.

Overdubbing and Mixing Session:
Students continue to work with the project engineer to overdub and mix down the material recorded in the previous recording session.

Performance

Vocal Ensemble:
This class gives students the opportunity to perform together in a wide variety of styles and settings, while developing the skill sets required to work on the highest levels of recorded commercial and live performance music. Each quarter concentrates on different aspects of this challenging, lucrative field.

Vocal Coaching

Vocal Technique and Private Lesson:
All vocal students are assigned a weekly vocal technique class where the mechanics and physiology of singing are studied in great detail. This gives the student the opportunity to apply what is being studied about the voice in terms of the individual student’s needs.


Vocal Performance Level 6 – Vocal Advanced B

Vocal Advanced B is the second and final quarter of an intensive two-quarter period of study. Vocal Advanced B continues where Vocal Advanced A left off, giving students the opportunity to continue developing their skills while applying what they have learned to producing their own music in a professional manner. 

Vocal Advanced B includes the following classes:

Musicianship

Musicianship 6:
Students in this class work on refining their aural skills. Coursework includes advanced sight-singing, transcription and transposition work.

Keyboard/Guitar Songwriting 2:
This class is the second of two courses focusing on original song composition and the basics of practical keyboard and/or guitar self-accompaniment for vocalists.

Recording Project 2

Four Class Recording Sequence 2

Recording Prep:
Students work with the faculty coordinator to select material and look over arrangements for the upcoming rehearsal and recording cycle. This teacher also acts as the student’s principle teacher and advisor.

Band Rehearsal:
Students rehearse material to be used in their final demo package.

Recording:
Students record with a live rhythm section the material they have selected and rehearsed.

Overdubbing and Mixing Session:
Students continue to work with the project engineer to overdub and mix down the material recorded in the previous recording session.

Performance

Vocal Ensemble:
Students in the advanced program who have completed the 6-semester sequence of this class, may opt to take an elective class in its place.

Vocal Coaching

Vocal Technique and Private Lesson:
All vocal students are assigned a weekly vocal technique class where the mechanics and physiology of singing are studied in great detail. This gives the student the opportunity to apply what is being studied about the voice in terms of the individual student’s needs.