Nova Jazz Singers

The Kent State Nova Jazz Singers fuses the choral tradition with the power and innovation of jazz.

 

 

The Nova Jazz Singers was founded in 2012 by Dr. Christopher J. Venesile, now-retired Associate Professor of Choral Music Education, to bring the disciplines of advanced choral singing and the language of jazz together. As both a popular, contemporary music and a recognized world classical music, jazz reflects America's social and musical history.  In the 21st century, jazz has become a historical music as well as a continually evolving art, absorbing current style to keep the music spontaneous and fresh.

The ensemble performs annually at premier jazz clubs in Northeast Ohio, New York City jazz clubs, the Elmhurst Jazz Festival in Chicago, IL, and in 2020 will be featured at the Ohio Music Education Association State Professional Conference."

Who are the Nova Jazz singers and what will you learn?

  • The Nova Jazz Singers provides our Kent State University students opportunities to study jazz and choral music in a compelling art form.
  • Our members are undergraduate and graduate students from majors across the university.
  • Rehearsals are held three times a week in the late afternoon in the Center for the Performing Arts.
  • Members learn techniques in solo and ensemble jazz arrangements of songs from the Great American Songbook and beyond. 
  • Jazz history, theory, and improvisation are also learned as well as self-accompaniment on piano. 

Joining Nova Jazz Singers

  • Membership is open to all undergraduate and graduate Kent State students.

Questions?

Contact
Sam Al-Hadid
salhadid@kent.edu