Carly Fitzgerald
  • Vocal Performance
  • Class of 2019
  • Waterford, Wis.

Carly Fitzgerald named to UW-Whitewater Vocal Jazz Ensemble

2017 Feb 8

Carly Fitzgerald from Waterford, Wis., who is studying music at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, has earned a spot in the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

To land a spot with the group, students have to go through an audition process that includes assessments of the singer's vocal range and ability to match pitches, sight singing and an excerpt of a jazz or pop tune. Students of all majors are welcome to audition.

"Students learn to sing vocal jazz music from a stylistically accurate perspective," said Sharri VanAlstine, an assistant professor at UW-Whitewater. "They learn different vocal techniques, like singing with straight tone or how to bend pitches to create a more idiomatically jazz sound."

The ensemble rehearses together two hours each week. Outside of rehearsal, students learn to sing solos and memorize and practice songs. The group performs anywhere between 4-10 times per semester. Some performances are on campus, but there are many that require traveling to neighboring towns, festivals or other states.