Researching artistic development in a vocal jazz ensemble

Project summary

DATES is an established a cappella vocal jazz group at Bergen University College, whose members are all employees of the Department of Music in the Faculty of Education. Features of the work of vocal jazz groups at an advanced level are both significant and under-researched, and this application forms the foundation of an artistic research project on DATES.

Our artistic research project is based on three research questions: 1. How do experienced musicians collaborate in the development of original vocal jazz arranging and creative performance in their rehearsals?; 2. How is advanced artistic achievement attained in a small vocal jazz group? 3. How can insights gained in the process be applicable to advancements in music teacher education? Through journaling about our rehearsals, videos of rehearsals, interviews on video, and focus group discussions regarding our recordings and performances, the artistic working process will be documented and researched.

A final DVD-production, produced with the Media centre at HiB, together with planned articles for publication in refereed journals will provide a significant contribution to the field, and also be an important source and tool for teaching and e-learning purposes.

Method

Through journaling about rehearsals, videos of rehearsals, interviews on video, and focus group discussions regarding recordings and performances, the artistic working process will be documented and researched