The information on this page pertains to program requirements for students who matriculated in the 2023-2024 academic year. View requirements for previous catalog years here.
The Concentration in Jazz Studies is intended to help students interested in jazz to develop the skills necessary to be a marketable professional jazz and studio musician. Students in the program will study jazz styles, history, improvisational techniques, arranging and composition, and have opportunities in a recording studio both performing and recording their own work. Students also receive private lessons from professional jazz artists on their instrument. The regular requirements of the primary music degree are not affected; the jazz courses only apply to electives.
Any student completing the Jazz Studies concentration will be a highly diverse performer, having experience as a soloist, a member of a band or orchestra as well as with playing in large and small jazz ensembles. Graduates will possess the necessary skills to arrange and compose for jazz and studio ensembles, and will be prepared to work in almost every musical arena available today.
The Concentration in Jazz Studies is intended to train students to have marketable skills for working as professional jazz and studio musicians. The Concentration in Jazz Studies is not intended to be a substitute for any of the professional degrees offered by the Department of Music.
Students may receive the Concentration in Jazz Studies with any major degree program offered through the University. This concentration is best suited with a Bachelor of Music or a Bachelor of Arts in Music,; a very hardworking Bachelor of Music Education student could receive it, although extra time may be necessary.
| Course | Credits |
| MUS 010 - Jazz History | 2 |
| MUS 012 - Jazz Theory/Keyboard | 2 |
| MUS 055 - Jazz Improvisation I | 2 |
| MUS 056 - Jazz Improvisation II | 2 |
| MUS 133 - Jazz Arranging/Composition | 2 |
| MUS 144 - Jazz Recording Techniques | 2 |
| MUS 145 - Jazz Ensemble | 1 |
| MUS 181 - Chamber Ensemble | 1-3 |
| Applied Jazz Courses - Select two credits from the following courses | |
| MUS 183 - Jazz Piano | 1 |
| MUS 184 - Jazz Bass | 1 |
| MUS 196 - Jazz Guitar | 1 |
| MUS 197 - Jazz Drums | 1 |
| MUS 198 - Jazz Wind Instruments | 1 |
| TOTAL | 16-18 |
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.