The Kickstarter for my first book launches today! Read more below or click here to donate!
What’s keeping choral conductors from programming jazz with their choirs?
Over the last two decades, I’ve heard conductor after conductor point to the complexity of jazz theory as a prime reason they haven’t added vocal jazz to the list of genres they program from year to year. “I just don’t understand the theory!”
This book aims to fill that need with an accessible, clear, and concise guide to mastering jazz theory in a vocal jazz context. In just over 80 pages, it gives choral musicians everything they need to know to include America’s art music in their choral programming.
My book Jazz Theory For Choral Musicians has been written, edited, reviewed, and typeset. It’s ready for publication immediately upon being funded!
Upon successful kickstarting, I’ll work with Bookbaby to publish 250 copies of a 6″x9″ trade paperback. In addition, I’ll be using a local print company to print copies of my poster pack, which will include three posters:
- Circle of Fifths
- Jazz Chord Nomenclature
- The Three U’s of Swing
I’m passionate about teaching jazz theory and getting the message out that it’s not as hard as you think! Let’s expand the access to this amazing art form and spread the word!
Intended Audience
I wrote this book with trained choral musicians in mind. It assumes basic knowledge of traditional music theory, but nothing beyond what you’d learn in Theory 1. And while it’s written with professionals in mind, the concepts and format make it possible for almost anyone to easily dive into the concepts of jazz theory. I’ve taught the concepts in this book to Community College and High School students!
Book Format
The book is broken into 18 short chapters, none more than six pages long. The concepts are explained briefly and clearly, with plenty of musical examples. There are also seven Appendices with further resources and practical practice tools. The book is written to be readable in an afternoon but comprehensive enough to support serious study of jazz literature and theory.
Click here to support my first book!
