Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music with Specialization in Jazz Studies
ObjectivesJazz tradition and culture lies at the centre of this specialization. Performance in ensembles or with small groups (instrumental and vocal), improvisation and repertoire studies, supported by private study in all jazz-related instruments and voice are complemented by courses in jazz language, jazz harmony, arranging, composition and jazz history. The Department of Music produces some 30 jazz concerts per year of student ensembles, groups, and combos with soloists in the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall. Many of the more than 20 jazz instructors also regularly perform in university concerts.
Academic titleBachelor of Fine Arts in Music with Specialization in Jazz Studies
Course descriptionSpecialization in Jazz Studies — 66 credits
Courses may include:
* The Language of Jazz
* Jazz Ensemble
* Aural Perception
* Music Theory II
* Choir I
* Music History and Society
JAZZ 200 The Language of Jazz (6 credits)
An introduction to the syntax, style, aesthetics, and sociology of jazz. The complete spectrum of styles and artists serves as the basis of materials for the course.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for CMUS 200 may not take this course for credit.
JAZZ 298 Special Topics in Jazz Studies (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Written permission of the Department of Music. A study of a selected area not available in other courses in jazz studies.
JAZZ 301 Jazz Harmony (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 200; MUSI 200; or exemptions. The basics of jazz harmony.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for this topic under an INMS 498 number may not take this course for credit.
JAZZ 302 Jazz Arranging I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 301. The introductory study of writing arrangements based upon compositions from the American popular song and jazz repertoires for small and medium-size jazz ensembles.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for INMS 332 may not take this course for credit.
JAZZ 305 Jazz Composition I (6 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 302. A seminar/workshop in jazz composition. After an examination of components of composition from the jazz repertoire, students write original music based on the blues, American popular song forms, and such idioms as those in the style of bebop, bossa nova, ragtime, and modal jazz.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for CMUS 330 may not take this course for credit.
JAZZ 398 Special Topics in Jazz Studies (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 200 or exemption, and written permission of the Department of Music. A seminar/workshop in an area of music which provides an opportunity for the study of specialized aspects of jazz outside the scope of existing courses.
JAZZ 399 Special Topics in Jazz Studies (6 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 200 or exemption, and written permission of the Department of Music. A seminar/workshop in an area of music which provides an opportunity for the study of specialized aspects of jazz outside the scope of existing courses.
JAZZ 401 Jazz Arranging II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 302. The continued study of writing arrangements for large ensembles including original compositions and jazz repertoire.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for INMS 431 may not take this course for credit.
JAZZ 402 Jazz Arranging III (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 401. The study of advanced techniques in jazz arranging.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for INMS 432 may not take this course for credit.
JAZZ 405 Jazz Composition II (6 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 305. A continuation of JAZZ 305.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for CMUS 430 may not take this course for credit.
JAZZ 471** Independent Study I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Second-year standing*, and written permission of the Department of Music. A student-designed course of study, approved by an advisor, that focuses on an area of jazz studies.
*66 or fewer credits remaining in degree program.
**Students may count a maximum of nine credits in independent studies towards their degree program.
JAZZ 472** Independent Study II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 471, second-year standing*, and written permission of the Department of Music. A student-designed course of study, approved by an advisor, that focuses on an area of jazz studies.
*66 or fewer credits remaining in degree program.
**Students may count a maximum of nine credits in independent studies towards their degree program.
JAZZ 498 Special Topics in Jazz Studies (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 200 or exemption, and written permission of the Department of Music. An advanced seminar/workshop in an area of music which provides an opportunity for the study of specialized aspects of jazz outside the scope of existing courses.
JAZZ 499 Special Topics in Jazz Studies (6 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 200 or exemption, and written permission of the Department of Music. An advanced seminar/workshop in an area of music which provides an opportunity for the study of specialized aspects of jazz outside the scope of existing courses.
Jazz Performance:
JPER 220 Jazz Ensemble I (6 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 200 previously or concurrently. A performance course in which students participate in various Concordia jazz ensembles.
NOTE A/See §200.3
NOTE: Students are required to participate in public performances.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for CMUS 300 may not take this course for credit.
JPER 298 Special Topics in Jazz Performance (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Written permission of the Department of Music. A study of a selected area not available in other courses in jazz performance.
JPER 321 Jazz Ensemble II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JPER 220. A continuation of JPER 220.
NOTE A/See §200.3
NOTE: This is a full-year course.
NOTE: Students are required to participate in public performances.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for CMUS 401 may not take this course for credit.
JPER 330 Jazz Improvisation I (6 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 301 previously or concurrently; JAZZ 200. A performance-analysis course that examines the craft of jazz improvisation. A broad spectrum of jazz improvisational styles is examined. Participation in public performance is required.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for MPER 330 may not take this course for credit.
JPER 341 Jazz Vocal Repertoire I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 200; MUSI 231 in voice previously or concurrently. A study of jazz vocal technique through performance of representative compositions and arrangements, and study of professional recordings illustrative of various jazz vocal styles. Special focus is on performance styles as they relate to building audience-performer relationships. Students are expected to participate in public performances.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for this topic under an MPER 498 number may not take this course for credit.
JPER 398 Special Topics in Jazz Performance (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 200 or exemption, and written permission of the Department of Music. A study of a selected area not available in other courses in jazz performance.
JPER 399 Special Topics in Jazz Performance (6 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 200 or exemption, and written permission of the Department of Music. A study of a selected area not available in other courses in jazz performance.
JPER 421 Jazz Ensemble III (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JPER 321. A continuation of JPER 321.
NOTE A/See §200.3
NOTE: This is a full-year course.
NOTE: Students are required to participate in public performances.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for CMUS 402 may not take this course for credit.
JPER 422 Jazz Ensemble IV (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JPER 421. A continuation of JPER 421.
NOTE A/See §200.3
NOTE: This is a full-year course.
NOTE: Students are required to participate in public performances.
JPER 430 Jazz Improvisation II (6 credits)
Prerequisite: JPER 330. A continuation of JPER 330.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for MPER 430 may not take this course for credit.
JPER 441 Jazz Vocal Repertoire II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JPER 341. A continuation of JPER 341.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for this topic under an MPER 498 number may not take this course for credit.
JPER 471** Independent Study I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Second-year standing* or equivalent, and written permission of the Department of Music. A student-designed course of study, approved by an advisor, on an area of jazz performance practice. When appropriate, the study may include a performance.
*66 or fewer credits remaining in degree program.
**Students may count a maximum of nine credits in independent studies towards their degree program.
JPER 472* Independent Study II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JPER 471 and written permission of the Department of Music. A student repeating JPER 471 registers for JPER 472 for credit.
*Students may count a maximum of nine credits in independent studies towards their degree program.
JPER 498 Special Topics in Jazz Performance (3 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 200 or exemption, and written permission of the Department of Music. An advanced study of a selected area not available in other courses in jazz performance.
JPER 499 Special Topics in Jazz Performance (6 credits)
Prerequisite: JAZZ 200 or exemption, and written permission of the Department of Music. An advanced study of a selected area not available in other courses in jazz performance.