Jazz Studies
Learn the many facets of jazz
The Jazz Studies program prepares you for a professional career in the recording industry, theatre orchestras, jazz groups and virtually all areas of the commercial music industry.
You’ll concentrate on all aspects of jazz performance, composition, history, improvisation and theory. Assignments will take you into the city’s professional recording studios where you’ll have the opportunity to meet and work with the best in the business. Jazz studies majors perform in one of the large jazz bands and many combos. Our jazz ensembles have won national acclaim for their performances on campus, on tour and on recordings.
Faculty members in the Jazz Studies program are among Chicago’s top studio artists, composers and arrangers. They have worked with virtually every major group, from Woody Herman and Gerry Mulligan to Maynard Ferguson. As a jazz studies student, you’ll have the opportunity to record and play with guest artists such as Phil Woods, Slide Hampton, Jim McNeely, Clark Terry and Louie Bellson.
Classes
Coursework
- Essentials of Jazz
- Jazz Arranging and Composition
- Jazz Chamber Ensemble
- Jazz History and Style
- Jazz Improvisation
- Jazz Rhythm Section Techniques
Resources
Career Options
Common Career Areas
- Arranging
- Composing
- Education
- Music editing
- Music production
- Performance
- Recording
Program Checkpoints
Undergraduate Jazz Studies majors will perform a checkpoint audition at the end of their freshman year. The student's applied instructor and/or area coordinator or director will give students specific information on content and required music. Successful completion of the checkpoint audition is required for continuation in the performance degree.
Course Requirements
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
Ear Training Sequence: | ||
JZZ 205 | JAZZ EAR TRAINING I | 1 |
JZZ 206 | JAZZ EAR TRAINING II | 1 |
JZZ 207 | JAZZ EAR TRAINING III | 1 |
Group Piano Sequence: | ||
JZZ 202 | GROUP JAZZ PIANO I | 1 |
JZZ 203 | GROUP JAZZ PIANO II | 1 |
JZZ 204 | GROUP JAZZ PIANO III | 1 |
Essentials Sequence: | ||
JZZ 300 | ESSENTIALS OF JAZZ I | 2 |
JZZ 301 | ESSENTIALS OF JAZZ II | 2 |
JZZ 302 | ESSENTIALS OF JAZZ III | 2 |
Improvisation Sequence: | ||
JZZ 308 | JAZZ IMPROVISATION I | 2 |
JZZ 309 | JAZZ IMPROVISATION II | 2 |
JZZ 310 | JAZZ IMPROVISATION III | 2 |
Advanced Improvisation Sequence: | ||
JZZ 330 | ADVANCED JAZZ IMPROVISATION I | 2 |
JZZ 331 | ADVANCED JAZZ IMPROVISATION II | 2 |
History Sequence: | ||
JZZ 335 | JAZZ HISTORY I | 2 |
JZZ 336 | JAZZ HISTORY II | 2 |
Jazz Arranging Sequence: | ||
JZZ 304 | JAZZ ARRANGING AND COMPOSITION I | 2 |
JZZ 305 | JAZZ ARRANGING AND COMPOSITION II | 2 |
JZZ 306 | JAZZ ARRANGING AND COMPOSITION III | 2 |
Additional Required Courses: | ||
JZZ 325 | JAZZ RHYTHM SECTION TECHNIQUES | 2 |
JZZ 314 | JAZZ PEDAGOGY | 2 |
PAM 309 | MUSIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 2 |
Recital Requirements: | ||
JZZ 215 | JAZZ JUNIOR RECITAL | 2 |
JZZ 315 | JAZZ SENIOR RECITAL | 2 |
Select 24 credits of Ensembles | 24 | |
Select 8 credits of Music Electives | 8 | |
Select 2 credits of Free Electives | 2 |
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