Jazz Studies (BM)
The Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies is a distinct degree program featuring specialized courses unique to the jazz idiom.
Admission
An on-site audition and aural skills assessment are required. For details, visit the Department’s website: music.uconn.edu. Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies students enter directly into the program. After passing a promotional jury at the end of their sophomore year, students may enroll in MUSI 3222 Applied Music, Advanced Course and continue in the program.
Location
- Storrs Campus
Modality
- In Person
Requirements
All Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies students program must complete the following courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSI 1101 | Convocation, Concert and Recital Repertoire | 0 |
| MUSI 1110 | Band | 2 |
| or MUSI 1111 | Chorus | |
| or MUSI 1112 | University Symphony Orchestra | |
| MUSI 1115 | Jazz Ensembles | 1 |
| MUSI 1120 | Jazz Combos | 5 |
| MUSI 1222 | Applied Music | 1-3 |
| MUSI 1311 | Ear Training and Musicianship I | 1 |
| MUSI 1312 | Ear Training and Musicianship II | 1 |
| MUSI 1313 | Harmony I | 3 |
| MUSI 1314 | Harmony II | 3 |
| MUSI 1601 | Introduction to Jazz Improvisation | 2 |
| MUSI 3222 | Applied Music, Advanced Course | 1-5 |
| MUSI 3311 | Ear Training and Musicianship III | 1 |
| MUSI 3313 | Harmony III | 3 |
| MUSI 3343 | Jazz Composition | 3 |
| MUSI 3404 | Culture and Context in Western Art Music | 3 |
| MUSI 3405 | Exploring Worlds of Oral/Aural Music Traditions | 3 |
| MUSI 3407W | History of Jazz | 3 |
| MUSI 3601 | Jazz Improvisation and Performance | 2 |
| MUSI 3631 | Jazz Arranging I | 2 |
| MUSI 3632 | Jazz Arranging II | 2 |
| MUSI 3979 | Junior Half Recital | 0 |
| MUSI 4979 | Senior Recital | 0 |
Students will participate in four performances in an elective recital or convocation that shall include two solo and two chamber performances.
Bachelor of Music students must complete piano proficiency equivalent to MUSI 1231 Class Instruction in Piano Class Piano Level 4. Students with a keyboard emphasis must complete four semesters of MUSI 1241 Applied Accompanying (B.M. keyboard students must complete four semesters of MUSI 1241 before promotion to 3000-level or above applied study).
Residency Requirement
The following courses must be taken each semester of a student’s residency as a declared Jazz Studies major:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSI 1101 | Convocation, Concert and Recital Repertoire | 0 |
| MUSI 1222 | Applied Music | 1-3 |
| or MUSI 3222 | Applied Music, Advanced Course | |
| MUSI 1115 | Jazz Ensembles | 1 |
Writing and Information Literacy Requirements
The University’s Writing in the Major and Information Literacy requirements will be met through the completion of MUSI 3407W History of Jazz.
School of Fine Arts Degree Requirements
Students must meet a set of requirements established by the college in addition to the University's Common Curriculum requirements. For more information, see the School of Fine Arts section of this catalog.
University Common Curriculum Requirements
Every student must meet a set of core requirements to earn a baccalaureate degree, in addition to those required by the student's major course of study and other requirements set by the student's school or college. For more information about these requirements, please see Common Curriculum Requirements.
Learning Objectives
- Musical Expression: By graduation, students will be able to improvise coherently over standard jazz chord progressions and engage in spontaneous musical interaction with ensemble members.
- Historical Context: Students will evaluate the role of jazz in shaping and responding to American cultural identity, producing research papers and ensemble reflections on the social impact of jazz in at least two distinct decades.
- Stylistic Awareness: Students will correctly identify and differentiate between at least five major jazz styles (e.g., Swing, Bebop, Cool Jazz) through blind listening tests with 80% accuracy.
- Performance Excellence: Students will present a 60-minute recital featuring a diverse jazz repertoire, demonstrating improvisational and interpretive skills while showcasing a deep understanding of jazz traditions.
- Ensemble Integration: Students will demonstrate the ability to blend their sound within their section and across the ensemble, applying a clear understanding of their role both within the section and the ensemble, as evaluated by faculty during rehearsals and performances.
- Self-Reflection: Students will produce written critiques of their own performances and those of their peers, identifying at least three strengths and three areas for improvement in each.
- Artist Appreciation: Students will be able to name and discuss the contributions of at least 15 significant jazz artists, placing them accurately within their historical and musical contexts.
- Sociopolitical Insight: Students will analyze and present on at least three jazz recordings that address social justice issues, explaining their historical context and impact.
- Arranging Proficiency: Students will create and notate at least one original jazz arrangement for the following instrumentations: small ensembles with one, two, three, and four horns plus rhythm section, as well as a big band, showcasing effective use of harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation.
- Compositional Mastery: Students will develop a portfolio of at least six original jazz compositions that effectively incorporate key melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, and structural elements of jazz.