Undergraduate Minor

This minor is designed to prepare students for challenges encountered in the processes of teaching jazz musicianship. Through analysis of their own learning and study of several role models and mentors students employ techniques that impart and sustain basic principles that are necessary for the development of jazz study. This minor will concentrate on the refinement of skills used in private instruction, rehearsal techniques for small jazz ensembles, and the development of structured techniques for use in classroom instruction. Students will apply their skills using colleagues and combos from the Michigan State University jazz program as subjects.

A jazz studies minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program in Music Education and the Bachelor of Music degree program in Music Performance. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Requirements for the Minor in Jazz Studies