Find your program overview, plans of study, and course descriptions below.
The programs of study for Jazz majors are designed to develop skilled performers, composers, and arrangers in preparation for careers in jazz music.
NOTE: Curriculum is subject to change. In case of a discrepancy, the MSM Academic Catalog is the authoritative source of requirements. View the Academic Catalog here.
Sample Schedule for Bachelor of Music / Jazz Performance
Total Curriculum Credits: 130
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Major Instrument6 cr
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Jazz Harmony/Counterpoint (JC0001-0004)4 cr
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Jazz Ear Training (JC0111-0114)4 cr
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Jazz Required Piano* (JC0171-0172)2 cr
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Jazz Music History (MH0101-0104)4 cr
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Humanties Core (HU0001-0002)6 cr
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Jazz Improvisation (JP2500)4 cr
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Jazz Performance Ensembles** (JP15000)4 cr
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Concert Attendance (CA1000)0 cr
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Jury0 cr
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Major Instrument6 cr
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Jazz Harmony/Counterpoint (JC0001-0004)4 cr
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Jazz Ear Training (JC0111-0114)4 cr
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Jazz Required Piano* (JC0181-0182)2 cr
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Jazz Music History (MH0101-01040)4 cr
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Humanties Core (HU0003-0004)6 cr
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Jazz Improvisation (JP2500)4 cr
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Jazz Performance Ensembles** (JP15000)4 cr
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Concert Attendance (CA1000)0 cr
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Jury0 cr
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Major Instrument8 cr
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Jazz Music History (MH0101-0106)4 cr
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Humanities Electives (HU0300-2999)6 cr
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Arranging & Composition (JC0511-0512)4 cr
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Rhythmic Analysis (JC0301-03020)4 cr
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Practical Foundations (ME1500.JC)2 cr
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Jazz Performance Ensembles** (JP1500)4 cr
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Concert Attendance (CA1000)0 cr
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Jury0 cr
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Major Instrument8 cr
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Humanities Electives (HU0300-2999)6 cr
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Studio Techniques (JC1811)2 cr
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General Electives10 cr
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Jazz Performance Ensembles** (JP1500)4 cr
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5 Setting the Stage Workshops (ME1000)0 cr
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Graduation Recital (2 adjudications)0 cr
*Jazz piano majors enroll for JC2161-2162, Jazz Piano Perspectives, in their first year.
**The ensemble requirement consists of participation in large and small ensembles every semester as assigned by the Jazz Department. In large ensembles, Saxophone majors may be assigned to play a saxophone other than their principal instrument.
Students working towards this degree are required to attend five Setting the Stage professional development workshops before graduation.
Sample Schedule for Master of Music / Jazz Performance
Total Curriculum Credits: 60
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Major Lessons5 cr
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Jazz Styles and Analysis (JC2321)2 cr
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Jazz Pedagogy (JC2410)2 cr
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Advanced Jazz Improvisation (JP2500)2 cr
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Masters of Jazz Seminar (JC2501)2 cr
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Jazz Performance Ensembles** (JP1500)2 cr
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Concert Attendance (CA1000)0 cr
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Major Lessons5 cr
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Jazz Styles and Analysis (JC2322)2 cr
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Jazz Musician as Educator (JC2360)2 cr
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Advanced Jazz Improvisation (JP2500)2 cr
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Masters of Jazz Seminar (JC2502)2 cr
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Jazz Performance Ensembles** (JP1500)2 cr
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Concert Attendance (CA1000)0 cr
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Jury0 cr
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Major Lessons5 cr
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Graduate Jazz Arranging and Composition (JC2111)2 cr
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Advanced Jazz Improv (JP2500)2 cr
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Jazz Performance Ensembles** (JP1500)2 cr
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General Electives4 cr
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Major Lessons5 cr
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Graduate Jazz Arranging and Composition (JC2112)2 cr
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Advanced Jazz Improvisation (JP2500)2 cr
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Jazz Performance Ensembles** (JP1500)2 cr
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General Electives4 cr
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Graduation Recital0 cr
**The ensemble requirement consists of participation in large and small ensembles every semester as assigned by the Jazz Department. In large ensembles, Saxophone majors may be assigned to play a saxophone other than their principal instrument.
Sample Schedule for Master of Music / Jazz Composition
Total Curriculum Credits: 58
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Major Lessons5 cr
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Jazz Comp Directions & Analysis (JC2321)2 cr
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Masters of Jazz Seminar (JC2501)2 cr
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General Electives4 cr
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Jazz Composition Forum (JC1999)1 cr
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Concert Attendance0 cr
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Major Lessons5 cr
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Jazz Comp Directions & Analysis (JC2322)2 cr
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Graduate Jazz Conducting (JC2400)2 cr
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Masters of Jazz Seminar (JC2502)2 cr
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General Electives2 cr
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Jazz Composition Forum (JC1999)1 cr
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Concert Attendance0 cr
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Jury0 cr
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Major Lessons5 cr
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Advanced Studio Comp (JC1911)3 cr
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Jazz Composing and Arranging for Studio Orchestra (JC2241)2 cr
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General Electives4 cr
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Jazz Composition Forum (JC1999)1 cr
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Major Lessons5 cr
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Advanced Studio Comp (JC1912)3 cr
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Jazz Composing and Arranging for Studio Orchestra (JC2242)2 cr
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General Electives4 cr
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Jazz Composition Forum (JC1999)1 cr
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Graduation Recital0 cr
*Students may substitute Advanced Studio Composition and Scoring JC1911-1912 for this requirement.
Please note: Composition students may be assigned to ensembles as required by the Jazz Department.
