Course Work
Students wishing to study Jazz are required to take Jazz Harmony I, a foundational music theory course, as well as Jazz Through the Prism of History I & II. Students planning to specialize in performance are strongly encouraged to take Jazz Improvisation I or II, depending on their level of experience, and to participate in an ensemble.
Jazz students are required to take at least one semester of Sight Reading Workshop, unless they already demonstrate strong music-reading skills. By the time they moderate into the Upper College, students are expected to be able to sight-read music at an appropriate level of proficiency.
There are several ensembles to choose from, including Spontaneous Composition Ensemble, Jazz Standards Ensemble, Electroacoustic Groove/Jazz Ensemble, The Sun Ra Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, John Coltrane Ensemble, Women Composers Ensemble, and Contemporary Jazz Composers Ensemble.
The Contemporary Jazz Composers Ensemble is open to all jazz students who have advanced sight reading and performance skills.
Moderation and Senior Project
For their Moderation project, most students give a 25- to 40-minute concert of their own music and/or music by other composers; a substantial music history or theory paper written for a class may also be accepted. The Senior Project consists of two concerts of approximately 45 to 60 minutes each. In certain cases, a produced recording or a substantial (70 pages) research or analytical paper on an approved topic, overseen by an adviser, may be substituted for one of the two concerts.
Private Lessons
Students who play an instrument are required to take private lessons in conjunction with their course schedule. All students are eligible for private music instruction. Instruction is available for piano, voice, guitar, trumpet, bass (both classical and jazz), cello, violin, viola, flute, saxophone, trombone, drum set (Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop, Afro Cuban, Brazilian), and mallet percussion (vibes, marimba, and timpani). Afro Cuban percussion and Gamelan Orchestra lessons are available through the Ethnomusicology Program. Lessons are taught by adjunct professors. Lessons can be taken for either one or two credits or audited (no credit).