NJW Announces Vocal Showcase

NJW is pleased to announce "The Vocal Showcase," a class geared to vocal students who want to develop their skills to a professional performance level. The class involves 12 weeks of intensive study of professional performance skills, culminating in a 2-hour Saturday evening Vocal Showcase performance in the Jazz Cave.

The 12-week class will be limited to four students, and will be conducted by vocal performance instructor Connye Florance along with Lori Mechem and Roger Spencer. Students will work on arrangements, lyric interpretation, performance skills and perfecting a set. Students will work with a professional trio consisting of Lori Mechem, Roger Spencer, and drummer TBD. At the end of the 12 week class, students will perform with the trio in a professional showcase on a Saturday night.

Cost is $500 for the entire 12 week class, payable in advance. The class will meet Wednesdays at 8 pm, during the 2nd summer session, August 2 -- September 9 and 1st fall session, September 20 -- October 28. Students must commit to both sessions.

Admission to the class is by audition, which will be held Saturday, June 12 at 1 pm. A panel of NJW vocal instructors will select the four students to participate.


Other Details

At the end of the 12 weeks, each of the 4 students will perform a 30-minute showcase of their best musical selections in the Jazz Cave. They will be provided with a trio including Lori Mechem, Roger Spencer and drummer TBD.

NJW will record and videotape the performance.

NJW and the student will be responsible for the press and grass roots marketing.

Instructors will help students with their arrangements and interpretations of songs.

Students will have the opportunity to work with a professional trio on a weekly basis.

Audition Process:

You should come prepared as if it were a gig! This is professional class!! This means . . .

1. Bring your books with you!! Have two songs prepared with charts, of contrasting styles and tempos. Count off the band.

2. Professional dress and makeup.

3. Time limit of 10 minutes.

4. Please prepare patter between tunes.

5. We are looking for style, technique, stage presence and audience rapport.

How do I know if I am ready?

If you have been gigging, have your own book, know and have memorized a ton of tunes, have the experience of working with a trio (in or out of a classroom) and at least 6 vocal repertoire or advanced level classes, then you are probably ready to audition. Even if you are not selected, auditioning helps determine the areas in your show that need work and gives you the valuable experience of the audition process.

For audition signups, please contact Connye Florance -- connyef@comcast.net