Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies Concentration

Advising Checklist - Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies Concentration (PDF)

The Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies Concentration is designed for students seeking a career as a jazz performer, arranger, composer, or teacher. The program consists of core music courses in music theory, musicianship, music history, keyboard, private lessons and additional specialized courses in jazz harmony and arranging, jazz improvisation and pedagogy.

Private Instruction, Juries and Ensemble Requirement

Students in the BM Jazz Studies Concentration 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 must enroll in a minimum of one (1) semester of the appropriate jazz ensemble, each semester in residence, including at least one semester of MUS 390 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 program 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. For more information about the Senior Project, please visit the Student Resources menu on the Department of Music website.

Preparatory Coursework

Units 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

• MUS 110 - Theory I: Diatonicism Unit(s): 3
• MUS 212 - Jazz Harmony and Arranging I Unit(s): 3
• MUS 312 - Jazz Harmony and Arranging II Unit(s): 3
• MUS 412 - Jazz Composition Unit(s): 3
• MUS 220 - Musicianship II Unit(s): 2
• MUS 320 - Musicianship III Unit(s): 2
• MUS 420 - Musicianship IV Unit(s): 2

History/Literature

Choose MUS 160A & 160B or MUS 350:

• MUS 160A - Musicking 101 Unit(s): 4 
• MUS 160B - Musicking 101 Unit(s): 4 
• MUS 350 - Survey of World Music Unit(s): 3 

And these courses:

• MUS 343 - Studies in Musical Genres Unit(s): 3
• MUS 351 - History of Western Music, 1750-present Unit(s): 3

Choose two of the following 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

• 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 489 - Jazz Improvisation IV Unit(s): 3

Capstone Experience

 Must be complete during the final semester of study. 

MUS 490 - Senior Project Unit(s): 2

Applied Music Studies (Private Lessons)

8 units total, or every semester in residence.

• MUS 147 - Applied Music Studies Unit(s): 1 (take 4 semesters)
• MUS 447 - Applied Music Studies Unit(s): 1 (take 4 semesters)

Jazz Forum

8 units total, or every semester in residence.

MUS 426 - Jazz Forum Unit(s): 1 (take 8 units)

Performing Ensembles

8 units total, or every semester in residence. Must include at least one semester of MUS 390. 

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

Additional Performing Ensembles

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

Instrumental Ensembles

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

Choral Ensembles

In addition to the required jazz ensembles, students must participate at least one semester one of these choral ensembles:

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

Music Electives: 1 units

Program Roadmaps

Sample Four-Year Plan: BM Jazz Studies  

Sample Two-Year Plan: BM Jazz Studies