Please refer to the main Bachelor of Music, Music Performance Concentration page for the performance concentration overview.

Jazz Studies Option

The Jazz Studies Option is a professional degree program that offers instrumental students a balanced course of study in both performance and academic classes to help them develop their skills as jazz artists and educators. Students in the degree program have the opportunity to study jazz history, theory, improvisation, pedagogy and composition and arranging, in addition to taking private lessons with both traditional applied faculty and jazz specialists.

The Bachelor of Music in Performance, Jazz Studies Option is intended to give the student the necessary skills to pursue a career in performing jazz and other popular styles while also learning the core performance skills and musicological knowledge of a traditional Bachelor of Music in Performance degree. The degree is designed to prepare students to perform jazz at a high level in public performance and/or continue graduate work in jazz and other genres.

Ensembles in the Jazz Studies area consist of two large jazz ensembles and two smaller jazz combos. Both the ensembles and combos expose students to classic and contemporary jazz literature and styles with an emphasis on quality performance and education.

Program-level Learning Objectives

  • Ability to perform music from a variety of historical/ style periods and exhibit the appropriate skills for musical self-expression in juried performances. These skills include technique, musicianship, tone, diction/articulation, style, interpretation, sight-reading, rhythm, improvisation, and artistry.
  • Keyboard skills.
  • The capacity to create original or derivative music in the jazz idiom as an improviser and composer/arranger
  • Understanding of the common elements and organizational patterns of music, including musical forms, processes, and structures.
  • Knowledge of music history and repertory, including representative composers and works according to the area of specialization, as well as study and experiences with music in addition to that of the primary culture encompassing the area of specialization.
  • Students are also expected to learn music literature from all periods through aural and score analysis. Performance skills are tested at the end of the sophomore year and in a graduation recital if required by the degree option. Some programs require the satisfactory completion of supervised student teaching, an internship, or a senior project.

Music Audition

In addition to applying to CSU through the Office of Admissions, a successful audition with CSU Music faculty is required for entrance into the B.M., Performance Concentration, Jazz Studies Option. Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.

  • Jazz Studies is currently available to students who play the following instruments only: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, percussion, and double bass.
  • Auditions for the jazz ensembles are open to all CSU students. Ensemble audition excerpts and instructions are available at Music Audition Information.

Music Program Fee

A music program fee is assessed with undergraduate and graduate music majors and minors, per semester. The fee does not apply to the following students: online degree students, summers-only master's degree students, music therapy students in an internship off-campus, music education students who are student teaching off-campus, and music minors who are not actively enrolled in any lessons or ensembles. Please visit the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for special course fees.

Effective Fall 2022

A minimum grade of C is required in all music courses used to satisfy the requirements of the BM in Music, Performance Concentration, Jazz Studies Option.

Freshman
AUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
MU 117Music Theory I 3
MU 118Music Theory II 3
MU 127Aural Skills I 1
MU 128Aural Skills II 1
MU 131Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1)3B3
MU 1501Piano Class I 1
Select two semesters from the following: 2
Concert Band  
Symphonic Band  
Symphonic Wind Ensemble  
Select two semesters from the following: 2
Jazz Ensemble  
Jazz Combo  
Applied Jazz Instruction (select two semesters from the following in your major instrument): 2
Applied Jazz Instruction: Piano  
Applied Jazz Instruction: String Bass  
Applied Jazz Instruction: Trombone  
Applied Jazz Instruction: Trumpet  
Applied Jazz Instruction: Percussion  
Applied Jazz Instruction: Saxophone  
Applied Jazz Instruction: Guitar  
Applied Music Instruction – Lower-Division (see list below – select two semesters in your major instrument) 2
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion1C3
Quantitative Reasoning1B3
 Total Credits 29
Sophomore
 
MU 154Jazz Piano Class 1
MU 217Music Theory III 3
MU 218Music Theory IV 3
MU 225Jazz Theory 2
MU 227Aural Skills III 1
MU 228Aural Skills IV 1
Select two semesters from the following: 2
Concert Band  
Symphonic Band  
Symphonic Wind Ensemble  
Select two semesters from the following: 2
Jazz Ensemble  
Jazz Combo  
Applied Jazz Instruction (select two semesters from the following in your major instrument): 2
Applied Jazz Instruction: Piano  
Applied Jazz Instruction: String Bass  
Applied Jazz Instruction: Trombone  
Applied Jazz Instruction: Trumpet  
Applied Jazz Instruction: Percussion  
Applied Jazz Instruction: Saxophone  
Applied Jazz Instruction: Guitar  
Applied Music Instruction – Lower-Division (see list below – select two semesters in your major instrument) 2
Advanced Writing23
Biological and Physical Sciences3A3
Historical Perspectives3D3
Social and Behavioral Sciences3C3
 Total Credits 31
Junior
 
MU 320Jazz Improvisation 1
MU 325Jazz Composition/Arranging 2
MU 471Recital4C1
MU 474Applied Jazz Instruction 6
Choose one course from the following: 2-3
Arranging and Orchestration  
Counterpoint  
Advanced Orchestration  
Tonal Analytic Techniques  
Post-Tonal Analytic Techniques  
Select two semesters from the following: 2
Jazz Ensemble  
Jazz Combo  
Upper-Division Music History 4A/4B (See list below)4A,4B3
MU *** Music Electives2 7
Arts and Humanities3B3
Elective 2-3
 Total Credits 30
Senior
 
MU 332History of Jazz4A,4B3
MU 415Advanced Jazz Techniques 2
MU 425Jazz Pedagogy 2
MU 471Recital4C1
MU 474Applied Jazz Instruction 6
Select two semesters from the following: 2
Jazz Ensemble  
Jazz Combo  
Biological and Physical Sciences3A4
Electives3 8
Music Electives 2
 Total Credits 30
 Program Total Credits: 120

Applied Music Instruction - Lower-Division

MU 272AApplied Music Instruction: Euphonium1-2
MU 272BApplied Music Instruction: French Horn1-2
MU 272CApplied Music Instruction: Trombone1-2
MU 272DApplied Music Instruction: Trumpet1-2
MU 272EApplied Music Instruction: Tuba1-2
MU 272GApplied Music Instruction: Harpsichord1-2
MU 272HApplied Music Instruction: Organ1-2
MU 272IApplied Music Instruction: Piano1-2
MU 272JApplied Music Instruction: Percussion1-2
MU 272KApplied Music Instruction: Guitar1-2
MU 272LApplied Music Instruction: Harp1-2
MU 272MApplied Music Instruction: String Bass1-2
MU 272NApplied Music Instruction: Viola1-2
MU 272OApplied Music Instruction: Violin1-2
MU 272PApplied Music Instruction: Violoncello1-2
MU 272QApplied Music Instruction: Voice1-2
MU 272RApplied Music Instruction: Bassoon1-2
MU 272SApplied Music Instruction: Clarinet1-2
MU 272TApplied Music Instruction: Flute1-2
MU 272UApplied Music Instruction: Oboe1-2
MU 272VApplied Music Instruction: Saxophone (Alto)1-2

 Upper-Division Music History 4A/4B Courses 

Code Title AUCC Credits
MU 334 Perspectives in Early Music History 4A,4B 3
MU 335 Music of the Common Practice Era 4A,4B 3
MU 430 20th and 21st Century Music 4A,4B 3
MU 431 American Music 4A,4B 3
1

B.M. Majors with prior keyboard experience may test out of MU 150 and use the credit toward electives

2

Students are encouraged to take at least 3 music electives in upper-division music history or theory courses.

3

Select enough elective credits to bring program total to 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 117Music Theory IX  3
MU 127Aural Skills IX  1
MU 131Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1)X 3B3
MU 150Piano Class I   1
Select one from the following:   1
Concert Band    
Symphonic Band    
Symphonic Wind Ensemble    
Select one of the following:   1
Jazz Ensemble    
Jazz Combo    
MU 272* Applied Music Instruction Lower-Division (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
MU 274* Applied Jazz Instruction (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Diversity, Equity, and InclusionX 1C3
 Total Credits   15
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)X 1A3
MU 118Music Theory IIX  3
MU 128Aural Skills IIX  1
Select one from the following:   1
Concert Band    
Symphonic Band    
Symphonic Wind Ensemble    
Select one of the following:   1
Jazz Ensemble    
Jazz Combo    
MU 272* Applied Music Instruction Lower-Division (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
MU 274* Applied Jazz Instruction (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Quantitative ReasoningX 1B3
MU 150 must be completed by the end of Semester 2.X   
 Total Credits   14
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 217Music Theory IIIX  3
MU 225Jazz TheoryX  2
MU 227Aural Skills IIIX  1
Select one from the following:   1
Concert Band    
Symphonic Band    
Symphonic Wind Ensemble    
Select one of the following:   1
Jazz Ensemble    
Jazz Combo    
MU 272* Applied Music Instruction Lower-Division (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
MU 274* Applied Jazz Instruction (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Advanced Writing  23
Historical Perspectives  3D3
 Total Credits   16
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 154Jazz Piano Class X 1
MU 218Music Theory IVX  3
MU 228Aural Skills IVX  1
Select one from the following:   1
Concert Band    
Symphonic Band    
Symphonic Wind Ensemble    
Select one of the following:   1
Jazz Ensemble    
Jazz Combo    
MU 272* Applied Music Instruction Lower-Division (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
MU 274* Applied Jazz Instruction (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Biological and Physical Sciences  3A3
Social and Behavioral Sciences  3C3
 Total Credits   15
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 320Jazz Improvisation   1
MU 474Applied Jazz InstructionX  3
Choose one course from the following: X 2-3
Arranging and Orchestration    
Counterpoint    
Advanced Orchestration    
Tonal Analytic Techniques    
Post-Tonal Analytic Techniques    
Select one of the following:   1
Jazz Ensemble    
Jazz Combo    
Arts and Humanities  3B3
Music Elective   3
Elective   2-3
 Total Credits   16
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 325Jazz Composition/ArrangingX  2
MU 471Recital X4C1
MU 474Applied Jazz InstructionX  3
Select one of the following:   1
Jazz Ensemble    
Jazz Combo    
Upper-Division Music History 4A/4B (See list on Concentration Requirements Tab) X4A,4B3
Music Electives   4
 Total Credits   14
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 332History of JazzX 4A,4B3
MU 474Applied Jazz InstructionX  3
Select one of the following:   1
Jazz Ensemble    
Jazz Combo    
Electives   8
 Total Credits   15
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 415Advanced Jazz TechniquesX  2
MU 425Jazz PedagogyX  2
MU 471RecitalX 4C1
MU 474Applied Jazz InstructionX  3
Select one of the following:X  1
Jazz Ensemble    
Jazz Combo    
Biological and Physical SciencesX 3A4
ElectiveX  2
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   15
 Program Total Credits:   120