Mills, John Russell, 1953-Hellmer, Jeffrey L.2016-09-222018-01-222016-09-222018-01-222016-05May 2016http://hdl.handle.net/2152/40985Vignettes is an original ten-part suite of music for a ten-piece ensemble written with accompanying projected visuals. In scope, the piece is essentially a work of chamber jazz, in this case referencing a medium size jazz ensemble influenced by neoclassical and modern compositional techniques. The piece draws from disparate influences outside of the traditional jazz medium. The goal of this thesis is to outline the initial objectives of Vignettes, explore the organic compositional process in creating this piece of music, and to further analyze the resulting music. The structure of each movement of Vignettes has been thoroughly diagramed to reveal the atypical form of each vignette. By expounding upon the harmonic, melodic, motivic, rhythmic, and textural tendencies throughout the piece, the personal compositional voice is broken down into key components: exploration of electronic elements in a chamber jazz ensemble, modal composition, harmonic recontextualization, rhythmic dissonance, subtle thematic connectivity, and utilization of a visual presentation. By analyzing the organic compositional process of Vignettes further, deeper insight is gained that will inform future creative and compositional endeavors.application/pdfenJazzCompositionThesis2016-09-22