Major in Composition with Emphasis in Jazz and Improvisational Music

Admission to the Bachelor of Music in Composition with an emphasis in jazz and improvisational music may be granted to a limited number of students upon successful completion of qualifying examinations and with the approval of a candidate selection committee. For detailed information on admission and scheduling of requirements, students are referred to the chair of the jazz and improvisational music department.

Specific courses required for the emphasis are as follows:

1. Music theory in addition to the core courses required for the B.Mus. degree:

a. MUTH 411: Orchestration I (6 units)

b. MUTH 510: Analysis of 20th Century Music (6 units)

2. Music composition and arranging:

a. MUCA 230: Small Group Jazz Composition and Arranging (3 units)

b. MUCA 330: Large Ensemble Jazz Composition and Arranging (3 units)

c. MUCA 530: Advanced Jazz Writing Skills (12 units at 3 units per term)

d. MUCA 300: Techniques of the Contemporary Composer (6 units)

e. 3 units from MUCA 250, 350, 550: Composition

3. Supporting courses for the emphasis in jazz studies:

a. MUTH 240: Jazz Theory and Aural Training (3 units)

b. MUCA 220, 221: Jazz Improvisation I, II (6 units)

c. MURP 320: Functional Jazz Piano (3 units)

d. MUHI 455: Jazz History (6 units)

e. MUEP 305: Jazz Pedagogy (1 unit)

f. MUEP 120: Basic Audio Recording (1 unit)

4. Performance: a minimum of 24 units in applied individual instruction and 6 terms on the major instrument or voice

Please note: Before admission to the jazz emphasis, Bachelor of Music composition candidates are required to study each term with the respective classical applied instructors but may elect added applied study with the respective jazz applied instructor. After admission to the jazz emphasis, all candidates  are required to study each term with their respective jazz applied instructor in each discipline but may elect to continue applied study with their respective classical instructor. 

5. Ensemble coaching/rehearsal techniques:

1-3 terms directing or co-directing a jazz small group (one 60-minute rehearsal per week) or serving as student assistant conductor of Jazz Workshop (frequency TBA) after admission to the emphasis in jazz studies.

6. Ensemble: completion of the requirement must include:

a. 3 terms MUEN 248: Jazz Small Group Studies after admission to the jazz emphasis (3 units)

b. 3 terms of MUEN 295: Jazz Ensemble, or MUEN 293: Jazz Band, after admission to the jazz emphasis (3 units)

c. Additional ensembles, specific to major instrument, as follows:

Winds/Percussion:

6 terms wind ensemble/symphonic band;

3 terms chamber music

Strings:

9 terms symphony orchestra (3 terms required participation after admission to the emphasis in jazz studies);

3 terms chamber music

Piano:

3 terms symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, symphonic band, concert choir, women's choir, or chorale;

3 terms supervised accompanying

Guitar:

3 terms symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, symphonic band, concert choir, women’s choir, chorale, or chamber music

 

7. Presentation of required degree recitals:

Half recital (30 minutes maximum stage time) during junior year

Full recital (60 minutes maximum stage time) during senior year

8. Presentation of Media Project (see below)

Major in Performance with Emphasis in Jazz and Improvisational Music

Admission to the Bachelor of Music performance major with an emphasis in jazz and improvisational music may be granted to a limited number of students upon successful completion of qualifying examinations and with the approval of a candidate selection committee. For detailed information on admission and scheduling of requirements, students are referred to the chair of the jazz and improvisational music department.

Specific courses required for the emphasis are as follows (please note that these requirements are in addition to the core courses required for the B.Mus. degree):

1. Performance: 54 units

-36 units of applied individual instruction (MUIN) in piano, strings, winds or percussion, numbered 361-380 or 561-580 during the freshman and sophomore years (before admission to the jazz emphasis)

-18 units of MUIN 560 after admission to the jazz emphasis (candidates may elect more than 18 units)

Please note: Before admission to the jazz emphasis, Bachelor of Music performance candidates are required to study each term with the respective classical applied instructors but may elect added applied study with the respective jazz applied instructor. After admission to the jazz emphasis, candidates performing on saxophone, piano and guitar are required to study each term with the respective jazz applied instructor in each discipline but may elect to continue applied study with the respective classical instructor. Candidates performing on trombone, trumpet, bass and percussion are required to study each term with the applied instructors in their respective discipline after admission to the jazz emphasis.

2. Supporting courses for the emphasis:

a. MUTH 240: Jazz Theory and Aural Training (3 units)

b. MUCA 220, 221: Jazz Improvisation I, II (6 units)

c. MUCA 230: Small Group Jazz Composition and Arranging (3 units)

d. MUCA 330: Large Ensemble Jazz Composition and Arranging (3 units)

e. MUCA 530: Advanced Jazz Writing Skills (3 units)

f. MURP 320: Functional Jazz Piano (3 units)

g. MUHI 455: Jazz History (6 units)

h. MUEP 305: Jazz Pedagogy (1 unit)

i. MUEP 120: Basic Audio Recording (1 unit)

3. Piano majors must complete either MURP 451 and 452 Literature of the Piano I

and II or MUEP 301 and 302 Piano Pedagogy I and II

4. Ensemble: completion of the requirement must include:

a. 5 terms of MUEN 248: Jazz Small Group Studies after admission to the jazz emphasis (5 units)

b. 6 terms of MUEN 295: Jazz Ensemble, or MUEN 293: Jazz Band, after admission to the jazz emphasis (6 units)

c. Additional ensembles, specific to major instrument, as follows:

Winds/Percussion:

6 terms wind ensemble/symphonic band;

3 terms chamber music

Strings:

9 terms symphony orchestra (3 terms required participation after admission to the emphasis in jazz studies);

3 terms chamber music

Piano:

3 terms symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, symphonic band, concert choir, women's choir or chorale;

3 terms supervised accompanying

Guitar:

3 terms symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, symphonic band, concert choir, women’s choir, chorale or chamber music

5. Presentation of required degree recitals:

Half recital (30 minutes maximum stage time) during junior year

Full recital (60 minutes maximum stage time) during senior year

6. Presentation of Media Project (see below)

7. Ensemble coaching/rehearsal techniques:

1-3 terms directing or co-directing a jazz small group (one 60-minute rehearsal per week) or serving as student assistant conductor of Jazz Workshop (frequency TBA) after admission to the emphasis in jazz studies.