ADMISSIONS APPLICATION PROCEDURES

JAZZ CURRICULUM___________________________

INSTRUMENTAL CONCENTRATION

This schedule represents a suggested sample curriculum. The BFA degree is granted upon completion of at least 134 credits and must include 96 credits of applied music and the Liberal Studies distribution.

Freshman Year
2 - Improvisation Ensemble (2 semesters)
2 - Instrumental Instruction (2 semesters)
2 - Jazz Harmony & Theory I (2 semesters)
2 - Rhythmic Analysis I (2 semesters)
1 - Theory and Performance I (2 semesters)
2 - Ear Training I (2 semesters)
1 - Piano Proficiency I (2 semesters)
3 - Cultural Foundations of Western Music (2 semesters)
3 - English Composition (2 semesters)
0 - Sight-Reading (2 semesters)
18 credits per semester

Sophomore Year
2 - Improvisation Ensemble (2 semesters)
2 - Instrumental Instruction (2 semesters)
2 - Jazz Harmony & Theory II (2 semesters)
1 - Theory and Performance II (2 semesters)
2 - The Blues (1 semester)
2 - Fundamentals of Composition/Arranging (1 semester)
2 - Ear Training II (2 semesters)
3 - History of Jazz (2 semesters)
1 - Elective (2 semesters)
3 - Liberal Arts (2 semesters)
18 credits per semester

Junior Year
2 - Improvisation Ensemble (2 semesters)
2 - Instrumental Instruction (2 semesters)
2 - Arranging (2 semesters)
6 - Theory and/or Performance Electives (2 semesters)
3 - World Music History (1 semester),
3 - 20th Century Music History (1 semester)
3 - Liberal Arts (2 semesters)
18 credits per semester

Senior Year
2 - Improvisation Ensemble (2 semesters)
2 - Instrumental Instruction (2 semesters)
2 - Contemporary Jazz and Its Exponents (1 semesters)
2 - Jazz Orchestra (2 semesters)
10/12 - Electives (2 semesters)
18 credits per semester

Ongoing Evaluation
Students are evaluated every semester based on the following criteria:

1. mid-term examinations, where applicable
2. mid-semester evaluation from all classroom faculty
3. mid-semester Improvisation ensemble listening sessions
4. final exams, performances, recordings, papers (final assignments will vary from class to class)

There will be two juries during a student's four-year course of study, as follows:

Sophomore Jury
All students are juried in the second semester of their sophomore year. Performance and vocal majors must prepare ten (10) tunes of contrasting styles. The jury committee will select three to be performed with a faculty rhythm section. The student must pass the jury in order to be allowed to proceed toward graduation.
Composition majors, please see specific requirements listed in the Composition/ Arranging section

Senior Recital
To qualify for graduation, each senior must prepare a minimum one-hour performance demonstrating an acceptable level of mastery of his/her instrument or chosen field of concentration.

GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS - CLICK HERE