UNT Jazz Singers

The premier vocal jazz ensemble within the Division of Jazz Studies in the College of Music. Under the direction of Jennifer Barnes, Jazz Singers consists of twelve vocalists and a rhythm section who perform a challenging and varied repertoire of jazz and jazz-influenced music, emphasizing close vocal harmonies, cutting-edge repertoire and improvisation. The ensemble was awarded “Outstanding Performance” as a Graduate-level Jazz Choir in the 2012, 2013 and 2015 DownBeat Student Music Awards, and has been named the Collegiate Jazz Choir winner numerous times under the leadership of founding director, Paris Rutherford. UNT Jazz Singers has performed at state, national and international music conferences and festivals, including those for the Jazz Education Network, International Association for Jazz Education, American Choral Directors Association and Texas Music Educators Association. UNT Jazz Singers is one of four vocal jazz ensembles that are part of the comprehensive Vocal Jazz Studies major at UNT, which comprises a global student population of 30–40 students who pursue bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level degree programs.