Free Downloads
This page contains free downloads of arrangements, tracks, exercises and educational articles. Please check back soon - new downloads will be added all the time.
Write to Michele with any comments or suggestions.
Arrangements
Chicago is a bright, fun, up salsa-ish arrangement. Piano and bass parts are partially written out. Features scat solo (written out notes for optional use) and a couple of exciting key changes. Can work well as an opener or closer. See sound clip link below. Complete SATB arrangement recorded by Millikin University's group, "First Step"Chicago - SATB
Chicago - SSAA
Chicago - Bass and Piano
Chicago - Drums
Chicago
Still, Still, Still is a sweet and simple a capella arrangement to be sung at Christmas time.
Still, Still Still - SATB
O Holy Night is another simple, elegant a capella arrangement for Christmas time.
O Holy Night - SATB
MichTracks
ACCOMPANIMENT TRACKS
Coming Soon. Open accompaniment tracks to jazz tunes to use for practice. Each song will be available in 2-3 different keys to accomodate different vocal ranges.VOCAL IMPROVISATION
PRACTICE TRACKS
Coming Soon. Practice tracks for vocal improvisation. Different levels of difficulty, styles, call and response, etudes, and so on.
Jazz Piano
Exercises below range from difficulty level I (easy) to IV (challenging.) It is strongly recommended that you start in a different key each time you practice these exercises. (It's easy to get comfortable with the keys of C and F, but Db and Gb are a different story!) Similar exercises can be found in Jazz Piano Handbook.
|
|
Articles
MUSIC INFO
Most articles below are handouts from Michele's past clinics. It's now possible to study from anywhere in the world thru Video Conferencing! Check out
MichMusic Personal Study.
Jazz Singer's Info
Various info for solo jazz singers, including chords, grooves, song form, and lingo. Also please see Michele's book/CD set: Jazz Singer's Handbook.Jazz Choir Essentials
Kind of an 'everything you ever wanted to know about jazz choir' handout. Includes basic info on chords, grooves, lingo, resources, warmups, rehearsal
techniques and rhythm section.Rehearsal Techniques
A more in depth handout on rehearsal techniques for jazz choir. Outlines important points about rehearsing ballads and swing tunes.6 Months to Jazz Piano
This handout was used for the 2008 IAJE Conference clinic, sponsored by Alfred Music Publishing. Thanks to Alfred for their support. Also please see Michele's book/CD set: Jazz Piano Handbook.Sound Reinforcement
OK, I'm NO expert in sound reinforcement. But I seem to know enough to write a handout! This is designed for sound reinforcement in the jazz choir.Fearless Vocal Improvisation
Concepts, exercises and tools for demystifying vocal improvisation. Includes info on syllables and articulation, creating melodies,the be bop language, hearing the changes and tips for singer's who improvise in jazz choir.
Check out Michele's book/CD set: Vocal Improvisation.Practice Worksheet
This is an open hourly schedule of each day of the week designed for students to write in hours they plan to practice. (Or do other things.) True, this kind of planned out scheduling is not for everyone! But it IS very helpful for folks that have challenges budgeting their time. You might want to try it out for a week or two.
TIPS FOR LIVING
10 Easy Ways to Be More GREEN in the Office
Michele's 10 favorite ways to be more environmentally conscious in the home (or work) office.A Life in Music
Just thoughts about music, career and life from Michele. This was originally written for the Steve Zegree Jazz Camp. (2008)12 Wisdoms
12 important points to consider, especially in your musical life.
Interviews
JAZZ SINGING
Topic: PREPARING FOR A GIG OR CONCERT (Click on a name to read their interview)
Mike Campbell |
Jay Clayton |
VOCAL GROUP ARRANGING
Topic: THE VOCAL ARRANGING PROCESS (Click on a name to read their interview)
Deke Sharon |
Rosana Eckert |
More interviews on various topics coming soon! Please check back.