Music, Jazz Studies Concentration, B.M.

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Requirements for the Concentration

The B.M. 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 B.M. 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 B.M. Jazz Studies degree programs must complete a Junior Recital 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 189 - Jazz Improvisation I Unit(s): 2
MUS 120 - Musicianship I Unit(s):

History/Literature: 6 Units

Choose 2 of the following:

MUS 300 - Seminar Unit(s): 3
MUS 251 - History of Western Music, Ancient World to 1750 Unit(s): 3
MUS 150 - Survey of U.S. Music Unit(s): 3

Applied Skills: 11 Units

MUS 490 - Senior Project Unit(s): 1-3
MUS 489 - Jazz Improvisation IV Unit(s): 3
MUS 389 - Jazz Improvisation III Unit(s): 3
MUS 289 - Jazz Improvisation II Unit(s): 3

Music Electives: 3 Units

Performance Ensembles: 2 Units

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

Jazz Studies Major Ensembles

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

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

Jazz Forum: 4 Units

MUS 426 - Jazz Forum Unit(s): 1

Total Concentration Units: 26

Program Roadmaps

Sample Four-Year Program

The Four year Plan is a sample study plan. The sequence and specific courses given are suggestive; please see an advisor each semester to plan your personal program and track your progress using the Academic Requirements Report (ARR) in MYSSU.

Courses may be interchanged fall and spring semester depending on course offering each semester.

General Education Notes:

GE Areas A2 and B4 should be completed by the end of the first year. Some students may take year-long courses for GE A2 and/or B4.
GE Area A1 and A3 should be completed by the end of the second year
Students should enroll in Upper Division GE courses after completion of Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4 with a C- or better, lower division GE in that area, and 45 units total.
Not all First-Year Learning Communities (FLC’s) meet the same GE areas.
GE Area D must be taken in two different subject areas across the nine total required units in lower division (LD) and upper division (UD).
Students must take American Institution requirements in U. S. History and U. S. Constitution/California State and Local Government. These requirements may be met in GE.