BM in Jazz Studies (79 hours)
This is a limited-enrollment program requiring departmental admissions approval. Please see the college advisement center for information regarding requirements for admission to this major.
The bachelor of music degree in jazz studies prepares the student with a broadbased music preparation and specialized course work leading to graduate studies in jazz or a career in jazz-related performing, arranging, or studio teaching.
Program Requirements |
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- See the college advisement center for the application procedure for official acceptance into a specific degree program.
- Complete the following lower-division music core courses:
MUSIC 193 : Dictation 1.
(1:0:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, Sp |
| PREREQUISITE: | Acceptance as a music major; concurrent enrollment in Music 195, 197. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Development of aural skills through melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic dictation. |
MUSIC 196 : Music Theory 2.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | W, Su |
| PREREQUISITE: | C- or higher in Music 193, 195, 197; concurrent enrollment in 194, 198. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Writing and analysis in diatonic and chromatic harmony. |
MUSIC 197 : Sight Singing 1.
(.5:0:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, Sp |
| PREREQUISITE: | Acceptance as a music major; concurrent enrollment in Music 193, 195. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Rhythm and pitch-reading skills using two systems of counting and melodic solfeggio singing with hand signs. |
MUSIC 221 : Functional Piano Skills 1.
(2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, Sp |
| PREREQUISITE: | Piano skills determined by entrance diagnostic exam; music major status. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Provides music majors with basic keyboarding ability in such areas as sight reading, technique, harmonization, and score reading. |
MUSIC 235 : Conducting Techniques.
(2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, W, Sp |
| PREREQUISITE: | music major status, C- or higher in Music 194, 196, 198. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Physical techniques and musical understanding required to conduct a performance ensemble. |
MUSIC 295 : Music Theory 3.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, Sp |
| PREREQUISITE: | C- or higher in Music 194, 196, and 198; concurrent enrollment in Music 293, 297. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Extended chromatic techniques and introduction to twentieth-century concepts. |
MUSIC 296 : Music Theory 4.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | W, Su |
| PREREQUISITE: | C- or higher in Music 293, 295, 297; concurrent enrollment in Music 294, 298. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Set theory, serialism, and late twentieth-century concepts. |
- Complete one of the following options:
- Instrumentalists complete the following:
- Vocalists complete the following:
MUSIC 260R : Performance Instruction.
(.5-2:1:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, W, Sp |
| PREREQUISITE: | Music major status. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Private instruction and studio class. |
| NOTE: | From one to four hours of daily practice. Fee. |
| : Performance Instruction: Bassoon. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Brass and Percussion. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Cello. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Clarinet. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Euphonium. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Flute. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Guitar. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Harp. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Harpsichord. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Horn. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Oboe. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Organ. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Percussion. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Piano. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Recorder. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Saxophone. | |
| : Performance Instruction: String Bass. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Strings. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Synthesizer. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Trombone. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Trumpet. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Tuba. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Viola. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Violin. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Voice. | |
| : Performance Instruction: Woodwinds. | |
- Complete four hours of the following:
- Present two recitals: Music 249R should be the culmination to Music 260R, and Music 349R should be taken concurrently with the second semester of Music 360R. A prerecital hearing is required at least three weeks before juried recitals. Contact the Harris Fine Arts Center Scheduling Office (C-358, south lobby of de Jong Concert Hall) for further information.
- Complete at least one hour of Category 1: Approved Large Ensembles (see General Information) each semester for four semesters.
- Complete four hours of the following:
MUSIC 333R : Jazz Ensemble.
(1:1:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, W, Sp |
| PREREQUISITE: | Audition. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Includes Jazz Ensemble (big band), Jazz Lab Band (entry-level big band), and Vocal Jazz Ensembles. |
| : Jazz Lab Band. | |
| : Vocal Jazz Ensemble. | |
- Complete four semesters of the following:
- Complete the following upper-division music core courses:
MUSIC 301 : Survey of Music Literature 1.
(2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, Sp |
| PREREQUISITE: | Music 194, 196, 198; 201, 202, or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Survey of musical genres, forms, styles, and performance practices from antiquity through the sixteenth century. |
MUSIC 302 : Survey of Music Literature 2.
(2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | W, Su |
| PREREQUISITE: | Music 194, 196, 198; 201, 202, or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Survey of musical genres, forms, styles, and performance practices from the baroque through the early classic. |
MUSIC 303 : Survey of Music Literature 3.
(2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, Sp |
| PREREQUISITE: | Music 294, 296, 298; 201, 202, or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Survey of music genres, forms, styles, and performance practices from the high classic through the romantic. |
MUSIC 304 : Survey of Music Literature 4.
(2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | W, Su |
| PREREQUISITE: | Music 294, 296, 298; 201, 202, or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Survey of musical genres, forms, styles, and performance practices of the twentieth century. |
MUSIC 395 : Form and Analysis.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, W, Sp |
| PREREQUISITE: | C- or higher in Music 293, 295, 297. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Analytical study of forms from the common-practice period, including baroque contrapuntal structures and instrumental forms, classical sonata cycle, and romantic part forms. |
- Complete the following:
MUSIC 186 : Songwriting 1.
(2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, W |
| PREREQUISITE: | Basic music reading and keyboard skills. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Songwriting for present-day music publishing industry; basic songwriting theory; form, content, and style. |
MUSIC 391 : Jazz Keyboard.
(2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | W, Sp |
| PREREQUISITE: | Music 222, 294, 296, 298, or instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Lead sheets, chord voicings, and other aspects of jazz performance practice. |
MUSIC 394 : Jazz Styles and Analysis.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F even years |
| PREREQUISITE: | Music major status; instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION: | In-depth experience in recognizing and differentiating jazz styles, including analyzing and transcribing solo and ensemble jazz materials. |
MUSIC 485 : Jazz Arranging and Composition.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | W |
| PREREQUISITE: | Music 295. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Developing concepts and skills related to the orchestration, arranging, and composition of jazz and related contemporary styles of music. |
- Complete five hours of music electives. Music 203, 210R (finale section), and 286 are recommended. See faculty advisor.
Recommended Courses
The following are recommended jazz-related GE courses:
MUSIC 204 : History of Jazz.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, W, Sp, Su; Honors also. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Fostering an understanding and appreciation of jazz, America's unique contribution to the world's music. |
PHSCS 167 : Descriptive Acoustics of Music and Speech.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | F, W, Sp |
| PREREQUISITE: | Phy S 100 or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION: | Introductory acoustics course, emphasizing physical principles underlying production and perception of music and speech. |