Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Advisor Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog Program: Jazz Studies, B.M.
This is for planning purposes only, please check with your advisor with questions about your degree progress

Jazz Studies, B.M.

The bachelor of music with a major in jazz studies degree program is one in which motivated students of creative American music are encouraged to interact with one another and with faculty in a challenging, performance-oriented educational environment. Highlights of the program include: strong growth support through a dedicated community of developing musicians; mentoring of the jazz art by experienced full-time faculty; continual review of individual musical development through interactive seminars, meetings, and advising; an active schedule of student and faculty performances, and guest clinics and performances by well-known jazz performers. A jazz minor is also available.

Admittance as a Jazz Studies Major

In addition to the audition in the student’s principal performance medium for acceptance into the College of Musical Arts, students wishing to pursue studies in jazz and jazz-related music-industry activities must demonstrate their understanding and facility in the jazz idiom. This will normally be accomplished by a separate audition with the jazz faculty. Acceptance as a jazz studies major or minor is contingent upon the approval of the jazz faculty.

Jazz Performance Ensembles

Jazz studies majors must perform in either the jazz lab bands or jazz combos (or both) as part of the requirements for this degree program. Refer to the specific performance requirements listed below. Performance opportunities in the jazz lab bands and combos are open to all BGSU students through audition. Any University student is encouraged to audition for these ensembles before the jazz faculty at the start of the academic year.

Jury Examinations

Jazz studies majors must complete jury examinations in their major applied medium as described in the course description section of this catalog under applied instruction. In addition, jazz studies majors must perform a jazz jury examination with the coordinator of jazz studies at the end of each semester.

Keyboard Proficiency Requirement

Functional keyboard proficiency is required by passing the final exam in the MUSP 2170 - Jazz Piano Fundamentals 2 course.

Recital Requirement

Candidates for the bachelor’s degree with a major in jazz studies are required to present a full recital. This is usually given in the senior year. Permission to perform a recital is given by the coordinator of jazz studies and the appropriate performance studies faculty. The recital requirement for jazz studies majors shall include an equal amount of western art music and jazz.

The bachelor of music degree in jazz studies requires 122 total credits.

BG Perspective (BGP) Requirements

Must complete at least 1 course in each of the following:

   English Composition and Oral Communication
   _____________________________    ________

   Quantitative Literacy
   _____________________________    ________

Must Complete at least 2 courses in each of the following:

   Humanities and the Arts
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________    

   Natural Sciences - at least one Lab Science required
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________                                                                                      

   Social and Behavioral Sciences
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________                                                                        

Complete total required BGP credit hours by selecting courses from any of the above categories:

   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________                                                                                    

University Requirements

Designated courses in Humanities and the Arts and the Social and Behavioral Sciences domains may be used to fulfill both the BGP requirement and one of the following university requirements:

Cultural Diversity in the US    ____________
International Perspective       ____________

Composition Requirement:
WRIT 1120                             

Total BGP Credits: Must be at least 36                      

Required Music Core Courses (26 Hrs)

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
MUCT 1510 - Theory I
MUCT 1520 - Theory II
MUCT 2510 - Theory III
MUCT 2520 - Theory IV
MUCT 1410 - Aural Skills I
MUCT 1420 - Aural Skills II
MUCT 2410 - Aural Skills III
MUCT 2420 - Aural Skills IV
MUCT 2610 - Music History I *
MUCT 2620 - Music History II
MUCT 3610 - Music History III
MUCT 2360 - Area Studies in World Music
MUSP 2190 - Jazz Pedagogy **

Jazz Studies (55 Hrs)

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
MUSP 2120 - Jazz Improvisation and Repertoire I
MUSP 2130 - Jazz Improvisation and Repertoire II
MUSP 3130 - Jazz Arranging Analysis I
MUSP 4140 - Jazz Arranging Analysis II
MUSP 1170 - Jazz Piano Fundamentals I
MUSP 2170 - Jazz Piano Fundamentals 2
MUSP 2190 - Jazz Pedagogy
MUCT 4360 - Audio Recording Techniques
MUSP 4020 - Jazz Composition
MUSP 3050 - Conducting I

 

MUSP 3400E - Vocal Jazz Ensemble and
MUSP 3230E - Electric Guitar OR
MUSP 3270E - Chamber Jazz Ensemble
MUSP 3280E - Jazz Lab I and
MUSP 3290E - Jazz Lab II OR
MUSP 4360E - Wind Ensemble and
MUSP 4380E - Symphonic Band OR
MUSP 4400E - University Band
  • MUSP: Applied Instrument Credit Hours: 16
  •  

    MUSP 4950 - Senior Recital
    MUS 99 - Recital Attendance
    MUSP 4010 - History and Literature of Jazz

    Electives (6 Hours - Choose 2)

    Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
    ETHN 1200 - Introduction to African American Studies *
    MUCT 1250 - Exploring Music of World Cultures *
    MUCT 4310 - Aesthetics of Black Music

    Total Hours: 126-128

    *GSW 1110, GSW 1120, ETHN 1200, MUCT 1250, and MUCT 2610 may count for BGP credit
    ** Credit given in Jazz Studies category

    Students must successfully complete six semesters of MUS 99 - Recital Attendance. Students are also required to attend biweekly seminars according to major applied medium.

    To earn a bachelor’s degree at BGSU, students must earn a minimum of 122 credits. Electives may be taken to complete the degree. 

    Information for Performance Studies Majors | Jazz Studies Major

    Acceptance as a Jazz Studies Major requires written approval from the appropriate area coordinator.

    Undergraduate Catalog

    All degree requirements are stated in the UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG. You are responsible for knowing them, so please read carefully. Highlights from that document appear below.

    Sophomore Performance Review

    At the end of the fourth semester of applied lessons, students are evaluated during the jury exam for advancement to upper division applied study (4000 level). If a student does not pass this Sophomore Performance Review, the student may enroll again in 2000 level applied study the following semester and may take the Sophomore Performance Review again. Written comments describing issues that need to be addressed and a remediation plan will be provided to the student. A student who fails the Sophomore Performance Review a second time will be denied future registration in applied instruction. However, students may re-audition for entrance into applied study by submitting a request for audition during one of the scheduled College of Musical Arts audition days. Students should consult their applied instructor for any specific performance requirements for the Sophomore Performance Review.

    Senior Recital

    At least one full recital is required of all performance studies majors. This is usually given in the senior year. Permission to perform the recital is granted by the appropriate performance studies faculty and is based upon the student’s performance at a recital jury. A student must be registered for applied study during the semester in which the recital is presented, and must register for MUSP 4950 - Senior Recital.

    THEORY: Some students may be required to enroll in MUCT 1130 or MUCT 1150 pending results of the Freshman Placement Examination

    ENSEMBLES: Guitarists, bassists, and pianists may substitute 4 additional hours of small ensembles for the large ensemble requirement.

    WRITING PROFICIENCY: Please see the catalog regarding placement and/or prerequisites to GSW 1120.

    SPECIAL SCHEDULING CONSIDERATIONS: A number of courses required for the various performance degree options are only offered every other year and must be carefully scheduled by students in consultation with the advisor. The following courses fall into this category: MUSP 2100-MUSP 2130; MUSP 2150-MUSP 2160; MUSP 2170, MUSP 2180, MUSP 3120, MUSP 3130, MUSP 3670-MUSP 3680; MUSP 4140, MUSP 4010, MUSP 4020; MUCT 3080-MUCT 3090; MUCT 4030-MUCT 4040; MUCT 4070-MUCT 4090; and MUCT 4120. 

    Notes: