Kursplan

Course Title:

Directing and Writing for Contemporary Vocal Groups

Instructor:

Tsunenori Lee Abe, Associate Professor, Berklee College of Music

Total Course Hours:

48 hours

Prerequisites:

Basic sight-reading skill, Basic Understanding of Chord Symbols

 

Course Description:

The primary goal of this course is to train aspiring musicians such as variety of vocalists, choir directors, music educators and vocal group affectionate to be able to write good arrangements for contemporary vocal groups and also to be able to properly direct them. The contents of the course will include basic arranging technique for both voices and rhythm section instruments, understanding various grooves, recording technique as well as the rehearsal technique in jazz/pop/Latin idiom.

The course will start with an intensive on-campus weekend classes in March, followed by weekly online follow-up classes to work on the assigned projects. The course will then conclude with another intensive on-campus weekend classes in May, and will culminate with the final presentation and/or performance.

 

Course Schedule

ON CAMPUS CLASS

Friday, March 15 (2 hours)

Topics:

  • Vocal Writing basics (Introduction)

 

Saturday, March 16 (7 hours)

Topics:

  • Basic Arranging Technique vol.1 (Voicing & Voice Leading)
  • What is Rhythm Section, and how to handle them?
  • Contemporary Grooves vol.1
  • Rehearsal Technique for Jazz/Pop/Latin style vol.1

 

Sunday, March 17 (7 hours)

  • Basic Arranging Technique vol.2 (More Voicing & Voice Leading)
  • A Cappella vs Non A Cappella
  • Basic Music Technology for Vocal Arrangers (Recording)
  • Rehearsal Technique for Jazz/Pop/Latin style vol.2

 

OFF CAMPUS CLASS

Week of March 25 (Online, 2 hours)

  • Follow-up on the assigned project

 

Week of April 1 (Online, 2 hours)

  • Listening and discussing the submitted projects

 

Week of April 8 (Online, 2 hours)

  • TBD

 

Week of April 15 (Online, 2 hours)

  • Follow-up on the assigned project

 

Week of April 22 (Online, 2 hours)

  • Listening and discussing the submitted projects

 

Week of April 29 (Online, 2 hours)

  • TBD

 

Week of May 6 (Online, 2 hours)

  • Follow-up on the assigned projects

 

ON CAMPUS CLASS

Friday, May 17 (4 hours)

Topics:

  • Open Discussion
  • Singing the submitted projects

 

Saturday, May 18 (7 hours)

Topics:

  • Advanced Music Technology for Vocal Arrangers (Recording & Mixing)
  • Running vocal recording sessions
  • Rehearsal Technique for Jazz/Pop/Latin style vol.3

 

Sunday, May 19 (7 hours)

  • Contemporary Grooves vol.2
  • Rehearsal Technique for Jazz/Pop/Latin style vol.4
  • Final Presentation & Performance
Mästarkurs Directing & Writing for Contemporary Vocal Groups