Jazz Studies, B.M.

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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 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 test level I is required. See Music education: Functional keyboard requirements and pertinent course descriptions.

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 126-128 total credits

BG Perspective (BGP) Requirements

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

English Composition and Oral Communication
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Quantitative Literacy
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Must Complete at least 2 courses in each of the following:

Humanities and the Arts
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Natural Sciences - at least one Lab Science required
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Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Complete total required BGP credit hours by selecting courses from any of the above categories:

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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 Hours)

Jazz Studies

(60 Hours)

MUSP 2120 - Jazz Improvisation and Repertoire I
MUSP 2130 - Jazz Improvisation and Repertoire II
MUSP 3130 - Jazz Arranging Analysis I
MUSP 3140 - 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
MUCT 2370 - Jazz
MUSP 3050 - Conducting I
MUSP 3400 - Small Ensembles Contact Hours: 8 or
MUSP 3230 - Small Ensembles Contact Hours: 8
or
MUSP 3270 - Small Ensembles Contact Hours: 8
MUSP 3280 - Large Ensembles Contact Hours: 8 or
MUSP 3290 - Large Ensembles Contact Hours: 8
or
MUSP 4360 - Large Ensembles Contact Hours: 8 or
MUSP 4380 - Large Ensembles Contact Hours: 8
or
MUSP 4400 - Large Ensembles Contact Hours: 8
MUSP: Applied Instrument Contact Hours: 16
MUED 1500 - Introductory Class Piano
MUED 1510 - Class Piano I (Proficiency I)
or
MUED 1540 - Accelerated Class Piano I (Proficiency I)
MUSP 4950 - Senior Recital
MUS 99 - Recital Attendance

Electives

(6 Hours - Choose 2)

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.

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 2110 ; MUSP 2150-MUSP 2160; MUSP 2180, MUSP 3120 , MUSP 3670 -MUSP 3680 ; MUSP 3960-MUSP 3970, MUSP 4020 ; MUCT 3080 -MUCT 3090 ; MUCT 4030 -MUCT 4040 ; MUCT 4070 -MUCT 4090 ; and MUCT 4120 .

CLASS PIANO: Up to 2 credits may be waived by keyboard placement exams.

JAZZ PEDAGOGY: Jazz Pedagogy is offered in the fall as an instrumental section, and in the spring as a vocal section. Jazz studies majors must take the instrumental section.