Bachelor of Music: Jazz Studies Option

The Bachelor of Music: Jazz Studies Option is designed for students wishing to pursue a performing and/or teaching career in jazz and commercial music. Many students who choose this degree continue their studies at the graduate level and in various professional programs in their specific area. Goals for the B.M. in Jazz Studies include:

1. To prepare students to become highly skilled performers on their principal instrument, thus giving them the tools necessary to succeed in a highly competitive field.
2. To give students the requisite skills in theory, arranging, composition, and improvisation necessary to succeed in the industry.
3. To give students a comprehensive musical education which includes experiences in traditional ensembles, jazz and contemporary ensembles, conducting, form & analysis, music history, music of diverse cultures, pedagogy, music technology, composition, improvisation and professional development.
4. To prepare students for careers as private music teachers.
5. To prepare students for the academic rigor and professional performance level required for advanced study at the graduate level.
6. To increase the student’s understanding and awareness of the arts in relation to society, thus developing lifelong advocates of the arts.

Students wishing to pursue this degree program must first be admitted by audition.

Requirements for the B.M. Jazz Studies Option

Completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours in general education, the exercise science requirements, and the requirements applying to the specific major within the degree as outlined in the official programs sheet, available from the student’s adviser.

Required courses in this degree program are: