THE UVIC VOCAL JAZZ MAINSTREAM & IMPROVISATIONAL ENSEMBLE has established a reputation for artistic excellence, stylistic flexibility and performances of original and inspiring arrangements. In addition to highly successful performances at the Powell River Vocal Summit and the Frank Demiero Jazz Fest, UVJMIE was the choral ensemble for The Best of Queen concert series with JEANS 'N CLASSICS and the VICTORIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA under Maestro Giuseppe Pietraroia. The Ensemble is well known for its fun-filled, filled-to-capacity audience engaging concerts. Our Autumn and Spring Vocal Jazz Showcases feature the Signature Studio Ensemble and various Spotlight Combos including Ellavation, and the UVic Vocal Jazz Stage Orchestra. The Ensemble has opened for the internationally acclaimed vocal groups GROOVE FOR THOUGHT and THE REAL GROUP, Canadian sensation COUNTERMEASURE, and has received high praise from legends Kirby Shaw and Dave Barduhn, and from master educators Vijay Singh, Peter Taylor and Janet Warren. Among our many distinguished alumni are MIKE EDEL and TWIN KENNEDY.

Signature Ensembles

Signature Ensembles
2023

Sunday 22 September 2013

Fall Retreat 2013 • Shawnigan Lake

The weekend witnessed loads of music and fun, rain and sun.

Thank you to everyone for a lively, inspiring and entirely productive experience.

A few of the pics.

Sectional 1

Sectional 2

Sectional 3

Sectional 4

Sectional 5

Jam Session 1

Lakeside Chat

Shoe Story

Walk On Water

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Sept. 20th Vocal Jazz Retreat • Camp Pringle, Shawnigan Lake

Update
  • A draft itinerary has been sent to the Ensemble Manager.
  • We are awaiting responses to the car/driving requests. If you have a car and can drive, we require transport for another 10 people. The Director will have room in his van for six additional passengers.
  • Dietary considerations will be accommodated.
  • Check your emails: a final itinerary will be published thursday evening.
Travel Overview
  • 3:45pm Friday, Sept. 20: meet in School of Music, common area, basement.
  • 4pm Friday, Sept. 20: Depart UVic for Camp Pringle.
  • 5pm Friday, Sept. 20: Check-in.
  • 2pm Sunday Sept. 22: Check-out.
Reminders:
  • it looks like it will be a rainy weekend: dress appropriately for colder (and muddy) mountain conditions.
  • bring all your music, large ensemble and combo charts!
  • bring a sleeping bag and pillow. If you have an extra sleeping bag, bring it for someone who doesn't have one.
  • bring a guitar.
Cost
  • $20 food contribution: please bring twenty dollars in cash with you to offset food expenses!
  • payable to Monique.
Lodging
  • costs are covered! Enjoy the weekend.

Friday 13 September 2013

First Rehearsal



6pm, Monday, September 16th.
B016

Rehearsal goals and other information will be posted at the right column of the blog and distributed by the Ensemble Manager via email.

Looking forward to some "Fascinatin' Rhythm"!

Wednesday 11 September 2013

2013 Audition Results

Apologies for the delay in posting the results.

Hard copies of the following information will be posted, as planned, on the main downstairs bulletin board and the Studio B080 door.

Some excellent singers were not chosen. This is more a reflection on the needs of the Ensemble than on any one individual's skill and artistry.

Thank you to everyone who auditioned!

And... mega kudos to the Audition Committee for the 7 hours you gave to the audition process—thank you for the exceptional care you gave to weighing the contributions of the candidates!

This year's Committee:
Andrea, Monique, Claire, Taylor, Nick, Matt, Danielle and Sarah—thank you!



Review of Round One, Monday: 5pm to 8:30pm
  • Audition committee members independently compiled a personal draft list of singers for inclusion in the singer pool.







Review of Round Two, Monday: 9pm
  • Draft lists were compared and singers common to all lists were entered into the singer pool.
  • Preference was given to: candidates committed to two full semesters of weekly participation; candidates who possess stronger reading skills.
  • Discussion and revisions to the singer pool were made based on further input from the Director.


Review of Round Three: Midnight
  • Consensus.
Round Four: Tuesday
  • Final revisions.
6pm
Wednesday, September 11th.
First Meeting of New Ensemble
Hand out scores
Hand out organizational information


Location: TBA School of Music

2013-2014 UVic Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Voice assignments are provisional.

S1—Andrea PADDOCK (SL)
S1Meaghan MILLER
S2Sophie Cullen
S2Brittney JETTE

Swing—Margaret LINGAS

A1Micha FORTIN
A1Natasha PENFIELD
A2Monique DU PLESSIS (EM)
A2Sarah TRADEWELL

TTyler LANIGAN
TCody FROESE

SwingNick ALLEN (SL)

BTaylor CASWELL
BMatt FOSTER

UVJAZZ RHYTHM SECTION

Guitar—Jordan ASCH
Piano—Gabe LAGOS
Bass—Blake PALM
Drums—Sky KIM