Undergraduate Courses: Jazz Concentration

Music BA Curriculum—Jazz Emphasis

Prerequisite:  Fundamentals of Western Music (3 cr.)

Required:

• Theory I-II (6 cr.) 
• Musicianship I-IV (4 cr.) 
• Music History I-II (6 cr.) 
• African American Music (3 cr.)
• History of Jazz (3 cr.) 
• Jazz Arranging I (3 cr.)
• Jazz Improvisation I (3 cr.)
• Senior Seminar (3 cr.)
• Senior Project (0 cr.)
• Ensemble: 3 semesters (3 cr.)
• Private Lessons: 3 semesters (3 cr.)

Electives (strongly encouraged): Regional area course from the 1300 sequence, Jazz Arranging II, Jazz Improvisation II, Music 1903 Directed Studies-Directed Research (i.e., Digital Studio Recording Techniques, including a recitation/lab).

NOTE: Majors may accumulate up to 60 credits in music courses that count towards graduation. Additional electives may be selected depending on the interests of the student (1200 = music history; 1300 = ethnomusicology & world music; 1400 = composition &
theory; Global Popular Music) 

Senior Project: Each student plans a senior project under the guidance of a faculty member, and signs a written agreement signed by the faculty members and submitted to the Director of Undergraduate Studies that maps out the project from beginning to
completion.  The project might grow out of, or result from, the senior seminar.

The senior project should showcase the student’s strengths and interests, whether it is:

1. performing a solo recital;
2. performing in a chamber ensemble recital;
3. having an original composition performed;
4. presenting a research paper, in either written or oral form; or
5. other type of project.

The faculty member may be regular full-time faculty or a part-time instructor of performance or ensembles employed by the University to teach in the music department. The faculty member will guide and monitor the quality of the senior project.

The more ambitious student who wishes to prepare and present a solo recital for 1-3 credits (registered as “Special Topics-Directed Research”) would write a biographical sketch of each composer represented on the recital program, write program notes, find and pay an accompanist, reserve a recital venue, and publicize the event (i.e., do sufficient work to justify the number of credits).

Departmental Honors: To graduate with departmental honors, a student must earn a minimum 3.25 QPA overall, a minimum 3.5 QPA in music courses with no grade lower than a B-, take the department's honors course (Senior Seminar MUSIC 1904 or other designated course) and complete a senior project for at least one credit.

Ensemble Participation:  Students are strongly urged to participate in one of the music department’s ethno ensembles (African Drumming, or Gamelan) to fulfill one of the required ensemble credits.