Jazz Performance, BMUS

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Jazz Performance

Students majoring in jazz performance may do so with piano, double bass, saxophone/clarinet, trumpet, trombone, percussion, guitar, strings, or voice as the major instrument.

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Jazz Performance

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Students who wish to study voice or an instrument for credit are required to satisfy the instrumental or vocal qualifying audition designed for students outside the School of Music.

A minimum of twelve hours of 400-level courses in Music must be taken on the Urbana-Champaign campus.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities and the Arts (6 hours)6
fulfilled by MUS 313 and MUS 314
Natural Sciences and Technology (6 hours)6
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course)3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15

 Orientation Requirements

MUS 100First-year Seminar for Music Majors0
FAA 101Arts at Illinois1
Total Hours1

 Music Core 

Music Theory and Musicianship
MUS 101Music Theory and Practice I2
MUS 102Music Theory and Practice II2
MUS 201Music Theory and Practice III2
MUS 202Music Theory and Practice IV2
MUS 107Musicianship I2
MUS 108Musicianship II2
MUS 207Musicianship III2
MUS 208Musicianship IV2
Musicology
MUS 110Introd Art Mus: Intl Perspect3
MUS 313The History of Music I3
MUS 314The History of Music II3
Keyboard Proficiency
All students, except keyboard students, must demonstrate keyboard competency when they audition, by proficiency examination when they matriculate, or by enrolling in MUS 172 and/or MUS 173.
MUS 172Grp Instr Pno for Mus Major I2
MUS 173Grp Instr Pno for Mus Maj II2
Total Hours29


Jazz Performance Studies

Music Lessons16
Jazz Performance students register for one 2-credit hour lesson each semester for a minimum of eight consecutive semesters.
Of the eight semesters of applied music lessons, two semesters (4 hours) may be in classical applied study.
Applied Music Lessons (years 1 & 2). Students choose from:
MUSC 131, MUSC 132, MUSC 133, MUSC 134, MUSC 135, MUSC 136, MUSC 137, MUSC 138, MUSC 139, MUSC 140, MUSC 141, MUSC 142
Applied Music Lessons (years 3 & 4). Students choose from:
MUSC 431, MUSC 432, MUSC 433, MUSC 434, MUSC 435, MUSC 436, MUSC 437, MUSC 438, MUSC 439, MUSC 440, MUSC 441, MUSC 442
Jazz Ensemble/Combo8
Jazz Performance students must be in a Jazz ensemble and/or Jazz combo each semester of residence; a maximum of 16 hours of ensemble and combo may be applied to the BMUS Jazz Performance degree.
Students may choose from:
MUSC 490, MUSC 491, MUSC 492, MUSC 493, MUSC 494, MUSC 495, MUSC 496, MUSC 497, MUSC 498
MUS 163Jazz Keyboard Studies I2
Jazz piano majors take two (2) credit hours of another jazz course in consultation with advisor.
MUS 164Jazz Keyboard Studies II2
Jazz piano majors take two (2) credit hours of another jazz course in consultation with advisor.
MUS 360Jazz Improv:Theory and Prac I2
MUS 361Jazz Improv:Theory and Prac II2
MUS 362Jazz Arranging I3
MUS 363Jazz Arranging II3
MUS 364Jazz Composition I2
MUS 365Jazz Composition II2
MUS 368Jazz Improvisation Styles I2
MUS 369Jazz Improvisation Styles II2
MUS 464Jazz History I3
MUS 465Jazz History II3
MUSC 300Junior Recital0
MUSC 400Senior Recital0
Total Hours52

 Summary of Credit for the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance

General Education
Orientation1
Music Core29
Jazz Performance52
Free electives to bring the total hours earned to 120
A minimum of 40 credits at the 300- or 400-level must be completed for this degree
8 of these hours are fulfilled by MUS 201, MUS 202, MUS 207, and MUS 208, each of which has at least 2 prerequisites and may count as advanced
A maximum of 8 hours of upper level coursework may be earned through ensembles, MUSC 447 through MUSC 498
Total Hours120

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Jazz Performance

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English.  For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
FAA 1011MUS 1022
MUS 1000MUS 1082
MUS 1012MUS 1103
MUS 1072MUS 1722
Jazz Ensemble/Combo (MUSC 400-level courses)1Jazz Ensemble/Combo (MUSC 400-level courses)1
Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level courses)2Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level courses)2
Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level)4Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level)4
General Education course3 
 15 16
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
MUS 1632MUS 1642
MUS 1732MUS 2022
MUS 2012MUS 2082
MUS 2072MUS 3143
MUS 3133MUS 3612
MUS 3602Jazz Ensemble/Combo (MUSC 400-level courses)1
Jazz Ensemble/Combo (MUSC 400-level courses)1Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level courses)2
Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level courses)2 
 16 14
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
MUS 3623MUSC 3000
MUS 3642MUS 3633
MUS 4643MUS 3652
General Education course3MUS 4653
General Education course3General Education course3
Jazz Ensemble/Combo (MUSC 400-level courses)1Jazz Ensemble/Combo (MUSC 400-level courses)1
Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level courses)2Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level courses)2
 17 14
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
MUS 3682MUS 3692
General Education course3MUSC 4000
Jazz Ensemble/Combo (MUSC 400-level courses)1Jazz Ensemble/Combo (MUSC 400-level courses)1
Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level courses)2Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level courses)2
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
 General Education course3
 14 14
Total Hours 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Jazz Performance

Bachelor of Music graduates will:

  1. Understand, apply, and integrate foundational concepts of musical study in theory, aural skills, history, composition, improvisation, and keyboard competency, and do so independently and cooperatively.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to learn independently, make inquiries, think critically, discover solutions, and integrate knowledge across both similar and varied areas of musical study.
  3. Develop and demonstrate effective performance skills (technical and expressive) using critical thinking to inform historical and stylistic performance practices and artistic expression.
  4. Develop and demonstrate effective communication skills, including artistic self-expression, with diverse audiences through multiple media. 
  5. Acquire a basic understanding of diverse musical systems and traditions across the world, and develop a sensitivity to and awareness of cultural and societal differences, and their contribution to an interdependent global consciousness.
  6. Acquire an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility as musicians and citizens, and demonstrate the ability to work professionally and effectively as leaders and collaborators.
  7. Acquire a basic understanding of technology and professional skills, along with knowledge of specific technological developments within area of specialization.
  8. Appreciate how music interacts with communities to enhance and engage social and cultural identities and enrich lifelong learning.

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Jazz Performance

School of Music

School of Music Website
Music Faculty

College of Fine & Applied Arts

FAA College Website

Admissions

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions