Music, Jazz Studies Concentration, BM

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Requirements for the Concentration

The BM Jazz Studies degree program is designed to furnish the training and background needed for students seeking to work as jazz performers, arrangers, composers, or teachers.

Private Instruction, Juries and Ensemble Requirement

Students in the BM Jazz Studies degree program are required to enroll in private instruction on their major instrument or voice every semester in residence. Students must pass a juried performance at the end of each semester with a minimum score of 75%. Students are required to enroll in a minimum of one (1) semester of the appropriate jazz ensemble, each semester in residence. Students must enroll in at least one semester of MUS 490 Jazz Orchestra. In addition, instrumentalists must take one (1) semester of a vocal ensemble; and vocalists must take a minimum of one (1) semester of an instrumental ensemble.

Capstone Experience

Students enrolled in the BM Jazz Studies degree programs must complete a Junior Recital (MUS 397, 1 unit) and a Senior Project (MUS 490, 2 units). The Junior Recital comprises approximately 30 minutes of music. The Senior Project is a recital performance unless otherwise determined by the Director of Jazz Studies. Information about Recitals is located under the “Current Students” tab on the Department website.

Concentration Preparatory Coursework

(credit not applicable toward major; students may challenge by exam):

MUS 106 - Fundamentals of Music Theory Unit(s): 3
MUS 109 - Intensive Keyboard Lab I Unit(s): 2
MUS 120 - Musicianship I Unit(s): 2
MUS 189 - Jazz Improvisation I Unit(s): 2
MUS 209 - Intensive Keyboard Lab II Unit(s): 2

Theory and Musicianship: 15 units

MUS 110 - Theory I: Diatonicism Unit(s): 3
MUS 212 - Jazz Harmony and Arranging I Unit(s): 3
MUS 220 - Musicianship II Unit(s): 2
MUS 312 - Jazz Harmony and Arranging II Unit(s): 3
MUS 320 - Musicianship III Unit(s):
MUS 420 - Musicianship IV Unit(s):

History/Literature: 15 units

MUS 160A - Musicking 101 Unit(s): 4 meets GE Area A3 Critical Thinking
-AND-
MUS 160B - Musicking 101 Unit(s): 4 meets GE Area C2 Humanities
-OR-
MUS 350 - Survey of World Music Unit(s): 3 meets Upper Division GE Area C
MUS 343 - Studies in Musical Genres Unit(s): 3
MUS 351 - History of Western Music, 1750-present Unit(s): 3
And choose two of the following three courses
MUS 150 - Survey of U.S. Music Unit(s): 3
MUS 251 - History of Western Music, Ancient World to 1750 Unit(s): 3
MUS 300 - Seminar Unit(s): 3

Applied Skills: 17 units

MUS 289 - Jazz Improvisation II Unit(s): 3
MUS 292 - Jazz Piano I Unit(s): 1
MUS 389 - Jazz Improvisation III Unit(s): 3
MUS 392 - Jazz Piano II Unit(s): 1
MUS 397 - Junior Recital Unit(s): 1
MUS 412 - Jazz Composition Unit(s): 3
MUS 489 - Jazz Improvisation IV Unit(s): 3
MUS 490 - Senior Project Unit(s): 1-3

Core Applied Music Studies: units

MUS 147 - Applied Music Studies Unit(s): 1
MUS 447 - Applied Music Studies Unit(s): 1

Additional Applied Music Studies: 2 units

MUS 447 - Applied Music Studies Unit(s): 1

Jazz Studies Major Ensembles: 8 units

Specific ensemble requirements for students in the B.M. in Jazz Studies concentration:

MUS 379 - Latin Jazz Band Unit(s): 1-2
MUS 390 - Jazz Orchestra Unit(s): 1-2
MUS 391 - Concert Jazz Ensemble Unit(s): 1-2

Additional Performance Ensembles: 2 units

1 Choral Ensemble and 1 Instrumental Ensemble

Instrumental Ensembles

In addition to the required jazz ensembles, students in the jazz studies concentration must participate at least one semester one of these classical instrumental ensembles:

MUS 377 - Brass Ensemble Unit(s): 1
MUS 326 - Guitar Ensemble Unit(s): 1-2
MUS 327 - Symphonic Wind Ensemble Unit(s): 1-2
MUS 328 - Symphony Orchestra Unit(s): 1-2
MUS 329 - Chamber Music Ensembles Unit(s): 1-2
MUS 227 - Concert Band Unit(s): 1-2

Choral Ensembles

Choose one of these choral ensembles:

MUS 323 - Concert Choir Unit(s): 1-2
MUS 325 - Symphonic Chorus Unit(s): 1-2

Music Electives: 1 units

Jazz Forum: 8 Units

MUS 426 - Jazz Forum Unit(s): 1

Total Concentration Units: 74

Program Roadmaps

Music, Jazz Studies Concentration, BM, Sample Four-Year Plan

Music, Jazz Studies Concentration, BM, Sample Two-Year Plan