Undergraduate Degree

The Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies is a professional degree program. It includes the common core courses of all other Bachelor of Music degree programs and the shared objectives of musical literacy, development of aural skills, understanding of a broad repertoire, and attainment of analytical skills. Uniquely, this program seeks to develop a high level of competency in jazz performance, and in compositional, scoring, and arranging skills. It also strives to prepare individuals to understand the literature and historical and cultural context of jazz.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Studies

1. The University requirements for bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies.
   
   The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Jazz Studies major is met by completing two enrollments (4 credits) of Music 485. That course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
2. The requirements of the College of Music for the Bachelor of Music degree.
   1. The following requirements for the major:

      a.	All of the core courses that are listed above under the heading General Requirements for All of the Bachelor’s Degree Programs in the College of Music (25 credits)
      b.	Music activity requirement (8 credits)
      	All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program in jazz studies are required to participate in a major ensemble as designated by the College of Music during each fall and spring semester of enrollment in the program. A minimum of 8 credits in courses approved by the College of Music is required. Students who are enrolled in the jazz studies major for more than eight semesters are required to complete more than 8 credits to satisfy this requirement.
      c.	Complete the requirements for one of the following five performance areas (16 credits):
      	(1)	Piano (16 credits)
      		Private instruction in piano. This requirement must be met by completing 8 credits of Music 150J and 8 credits of Music 350J.
      	(2)	Stringed Instruments: Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, and Guitar (16 credits)
      		Private instruction in harp, violin, viola, cello or double bass. This requirement must be met by completing 8 credits of Music 152J and 8 credits of Music 352J.
      	(3)	Wind Instruments: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba (16 credits)
      		Private instruction in flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, or tuba. This requirement must be met by completing 8 credits of Music 153J and 8 credits of Music 353J or 8 credits of Music 154J and 8 credits of Music 354J.
      	(4)	Percussion Instruments (16 credits)
      		Private instruction in percussion instruments. This requirement must be met by completing 8 credits of Music 155J and 8 credits of Music 355J.
      	(5)	Voice (16 credits)
      		Private instruction in voice. This requirement must be met by completing 8 credits of Music 151J and 8 credits of Music 351J.
      d.	All of the following courses (28 credits):
      	MUS	131	Jazz Combo				2
      	MUS	185	Jazz Styles and Analysis I				2
      	MUS	186	Jazz Styles and Analysis II				2
      	MUS	301	Advanced Jazz Musicianship I				3
      	MUS	302	Advanced Jazz Musicianship II				3
      	MUS	303	Advanced Jazz Musicianship III				3
      	MUS	304	Advanced Jazz Musicianship IV				3
      	MUS	400	Jazz Arranging and Composition I				2
      	MUS	401	Jazz Arranging and Composition II				2
      	MUS	410	Jazz History				2
      	MUS	438	Jazz Pedagogy I				2
      	MUS	439	Jazz Pedagogy II				2
      e.	Complete 6 additional credits of jazz electives from the following courses:
      	MUS	131	Jazz Combo				1
      	MUS	230	Beginning Jazz Improvisation I				2
      	MUS	231	Beginning Jazz Improvisation II				2
      	MUS	491	Special Topics in Music (must be an entrepreneurship topic)				2
      	MUS	496	Your Music Business				2
      	Completion of 1 credit in a second instrument may also be used to fulfill this requirement. A maximum of 2 credits can be applied to the degree.
      	A maximum of 4 credits in MUS 131 may be applied to the degree.