___________________________
BFA Degree Curriculum Model for Instrumentalists
This schedule represents a suggested sample curriculum. Individual students’ curricula may differ, sometimes substantially, from this model, depending on transfer credits and performance on the placement tests.
The BFA degree is granted upon completion of at least 134 credits and must include 90 credits of applied music along with the required liberal studies and music history distribution.
Student progress is monitored on the basis of entrance evaluations, ensemble work, student juries (normally in the second half of the sophomore year), successful completion of the core curriculum, and the normal accumulation of course credits.
First Year
2 Vocal Rhythm Section I or II (2 semesters)
1 Vocal Musicianship (2 semesters)
1 Sight-Singing I (2 semesters)
1 Basic Arranging for Vocalists (2 semesters)
2 Private Lessons (2 semesters)
2 Ear Training I (2 semesters)
2 Jazz Harmony and Theory I (2 semesters)
1 Piano (2 semesters)
3 History of Jazz (2 semesters)
3 English Composition (2 semesters)
18 credits per semester
Second Year
2 Vocal Rhythm Section II or III (2 semesters)
1 Vocal Improvisation (2 semesters)
1 Sight-Singing II (2 semesters)
2 Private Lessons (2 semesters)
2 Ear Training II (2 semesters)
2 Jazz Harmony and Theory II (2 semesters)
2 Rhythm Analysis (2 semesters)
3 Cultural Foundations of Western Music (2 semesters)
3 Liberal Arts (2 semesters)
18 credits per semester
Third Year
2 Vocal Rhythm Section III (2 semesters, optional
for students who passed 2 years of Vocal Rhythm
Sections I and II) or
2 Improvisation Ensemble (2 semesters)
2 Arranging Fundamentals (1 semester)
2 Blues (1 semester)
2 Vocal Jazz Ensemble (1 semester)
2 Private Lessons (2 semesters)
3 World Music History (1 semester) or
2 20th-Century Music History (1 semester)
3 Liberal Arts (2 semesters)
4-6 Electives (2 semesters)
16–18 credits per semester
Fourth Year
2 Improvisation Ensemble (2 semesters)
2 Private Lessons
2 Contemporary Jazz and Its Exponents (1 semester)
10–12 Electives (2 semesters)
16–18 credits per semester
GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS - CLICK HERE
