Major in Music (B.M.), Performance Concentration, Jazz Studies Option

Please refer to the main Major in Music (B.M.), Performance Concentration page for the performance concentration overview and learning objectives.

Jazz Studies Option

Within the Performance Concentration, 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 can study jazz history, theory, improvisation, pedagogy and composition, and arranging, in addition to taking private lessons with traditional applied faculty and jazz specialists.

The 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.

The B.M., Performance Concentration, Jazz Studies Option is available to undergraduate jazz students who play the following instruments:

Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Percussion
Piano
Double Bass

Guitar

Option-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 at a level appropriate for the particular concentration. These skills include technique, musicianship, tone, diction/articulation, style, interpretation, sight-reading, rhythm, and artistry.
Keyboard or an equivalent competency appropriate to the course of study.
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 cultures through the present. time, including study and experience of musical language and achievements that extend beyond those associated with the primary 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 satisfactory completion of supervised student teaching, an internship, or a senior project.

Please review the common B.M. Program-Level Learning Objectives.

Music Auditions

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 Ensemble Audition Information.

Prospective CSU Students: 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. concentrations. Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.

Current CSU Students: To change your major to music, you may call the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at (970) 491-5891 or email smtd@colostate.edu. Current CSU students need to complete the audition process and be accepted to the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance before contacting the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center. Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.

Join an Ensemble: Bands, Orchestras, and Choirs are open to all CSU students. Ensemble audition excerpts and instructions are available at Ensemble Audition Information (some ensembles do not require an audition).

Music Program Fee

A music program fee is assessed with Undergraduate and graduate music and musical theatre majors and music minors, per semester. Does not apply to the following students: online degree students and summers-only master's degree students. 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
		AUCC	Credits
CO 150	College Composition (GT-CO2)	1A	3
MU 117	Music Theory I		3
MU 118	Music Theory II		3
MU 127	Aural Skills I		1
MU 128	Aural Skills II		1
MU 131	Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1)	3B	3
MU 150¹	Piano Class I		1
Select two semesters from the following:			2
MU 205	Concert Band
MU 304	Symphonic Band
MU 404	Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Select two semesters from the following:			2
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble
MU 310	Jazz Combo
Applied Jazz Instruction (select two semesters from the following in your major instrument):			2
MU 274A	Applied Jazz Instruction: Piano
MU 274B	Applied Jazz Instruction: String Bass
MU 274C	Applied Jazz Instruction: Trombone
MU 274D	Applied Jazz Instruction: Trumpet
MU 274E	Applied Jazz Instruction: Percussion
MU 274F	Applied Jazz Instruction: Saxophone
MU 274G	Applied Jazz Instruction: Guitar
Applied Music Instruction – Lower-Division (see list below – select two semesters in your major instrument)			2
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion		1C	3
Quantitative Reasoning		1B	3
	Total Credits		29
Sophomore

MU 154	Jazz Piano Class		1
MU 217	Music Theory III		3
MU 218	Music Theory IV		3
MU 225	Jazz Theory		2
MU 227	Aural Skills III		1
MU 228	Aural Skills IV		1
Select two semesters from the following:			2
MU 205	Concert Band
MU 304	Symphonic Band
MU 404	Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Select two semesters from the following:			2
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble
MU 310	Jazz Combo
Applied Jazz Instruction (select two semesters from the following in your major instrument):			2
MU 274A	Applied Jazz Instruction: Piano
MU 274B	Applied Jazz Instruction: String Bass
MU 274C	Applied Jazz Instruction: Trombone
MU 274D	Applied Jazz Instruction: Trumpet
MU 274E	Applied Jazz Instruction: Percussion
MU 274F	Applied Jazz Instruction: Saxophone
MU 274G	Applied Jazz Instruction: Guitar
Applied Music Instruction – Lower-Division (see list below – select two semesters in your major instrument)			2
Advanced Writing		2	3
Biological and Physical Sciences		3A	3
Historical Perspectives		3D	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences		3C	3
	Total Credits		31
Junior

MU 320	Jazz Improvisation		1
MU 325	Jazz Composition/Arranging		2
MU 471	Recital	4C	1
MU 474	Applied Jazz Instruction		6
Choose one course from the following:			2-3
MU 318	Arranging and Orchestration
MU 417	Counterpoint
MU 418	Advanced Orchestration
MU 517	Tonal Analytic Techniques
MU 518	Post-Tonal Analytic Techniques
Select two semesters from the following:			2
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble
MU 310	Jazz Combo
Upper-Division Music History 4A/4B (See list below)		4A,4B	3
MU *** Music Electives²			7
Arts and Humanities		3B	3
Elective			2-3
	Total Credits		30
Senior

MU 332	History of Jazz	4A,4B	3
MU 415	Advanced Jazz Techniques		2
MU 425	Jazz Pedagogy		2
MU 471	Recital	4C	1
MU 474	Applied Jazz Instruction		6
Select two semesters from the following:			2
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble
MU 310	Jazz Combo
Biological and Physical Sciences		3A	4
Electives³			8
Music Electives			2
	Total Credits		30
	Program Total Credits:		120

Applied Music Instruction - Lower-Division

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
MU 272A	Applied Music Instruction: Euphonium	1-2
MU 272B	Applied Music Instruction: French Horn	1-2
MU 272C	Applied Music Instruction: Trombone	1-2
MU 272D	Applied Music Instruction: Trumpet	1-2
MU 272E	Applied Music Instruction: Tuba	1-2
MU 272G	Applied Music Instruction: Harpsichord	1-2
MU 272H	Applied Music Instruction: Organ	1-2
MU 272I	Applied Music Instruction: Piano	1-2
MU 272J	Applied Music Instruction: Percussion	1-2
MU 272K	Applied Music Instruction: Guitar	1-2
MU 272L	Applied Music Instruction: Harp	1-2
MU 272M	Applied Music Instruction: String Bass	1-2
MU 272N	Applied Music Instruction: Viola	1-2
MU 272O	Applied Music Instruction: Violin	1-2
MU 272P	Applied Music Instruction: Violoncello	1-2
MU 272Q	Applied Music Instruction: Voice	1-2
MU 272R	Applied Music Instruction: Bassoon	1-2
MU 272S	Applied Music Instruction: Clarinet	1-2
MU 272T	Applied Music Instruction: Flute	1-2
MU 272U	Applied Music Instruction: Oboe	1-2
MU 272V	Applied 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 1		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 117	Music Theory I	X			3
MU 127	Aural Skills I	X			1
MU 131	Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1)	X		3B	3
MU 150	Piano Class I				1
Select one from the following:					1
MU 205	Concert Band
MU 304	Symphonic Band
MU 404	Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Select one of the following:					1
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble
MU 310	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 Inclusion		X		1C	3
	Total Credits				15
Semester 2		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
CO 150	College Composition (GT-CO2)	X		1A	3
MU 118	Music Theory II	X			3
MU 128	Aural Skills II	X			1
Select one from the following:					1
MU 205	Concert Band
MU 304	Symphonic Band
MU 404	Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Select one of the following:					1
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble
MU 310	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 Reasoning		X		1B	3
MU 150 must be completed by the end of Semester 2.		X
	Total Credits				14
*Sophomore*
Semester 3		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 217	Music Theory III	X			3
MU 225	Jazz Theory	X			2
MU 227	Aural Skills III	X			1
Select one from the following:					1
MU 205	Concert Band
MU 304	Symphonic Band
MU 404	Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Select one of the following:					1
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble
MU 310	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				2	3
Historical Perspectives				3D	3
	Total Credits				16
Semester 4		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 154	Jazz Piano Class		X		1
MU 218	Music Theory IV	X			3
MU 228	Aural Skills IV	X			1
Select one from the following:					1
MU 205	Concert Band
MU 304	Symphonic Band
MU 404	Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Select one of the following:					1
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble
MU 310	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				3A	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences				3C	3
	Total Credits				15
*Junior*
Semester 5		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 320	Jazz Improvisation				1
MU 474	Applied Jazz Instruction	X			3
Choose one course from the following:			X		2-3
MU 318	Arranging and Orchestration
MU 417	Counterpoint
MU 418	Advanced Orchestration
MU 517	Tonal Analytic Techniques
MU 518	Post-Tonal Analytic Techniques
Select one of the following:					1
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble
MU 310	Jazz Combo
Arts and Humanities				3B	3
Music Elective					3
Elective					2-3
	Total Credits				16
Semester 6		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 325	Jazz Composition/Arranging	X			2
MU 471	Recital		X	4C	1
MU 474	Applied Jazz Instruction	X			3
Select one of the following:					1
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble
MU 310	Jazz Combo
Upper-Division Music History 4A/4B (See list on Concentration Requirements Tab)			X	4A,4B	3
Music Electives					4
	Total Credits				14
*Senior*
Semester 7		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 332	History of Jazz	X		4A,4B	3
MU 474	Applied Jazz Instruction	X			3
Select one of the following:					1
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble
MU 310	Jazz Combo
Electives					8
	Total Credits				15
Semester 8		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 415	Advanced Jazz Techniques	X			2
MU 425	Jazz Pedagogy	X			2
MU 471	Recital	X		4C	1
MU 474	Applied Jazz Instruction	X			3
Select one of the following:		X			1
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble
MU 310	Jazz Combo
Biological and Physical Sciences		X		3A	4
Elective		X			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