Jazz Performance (BM)
The jazz performance specialization blends a liberal arts education with the intensive training needed to develop into a professional musician working in jazz and popular music. Students work toward fundamental mastery of their instruments and develop professional level skills in both small group and studio/large ensembles. Time, feel, sound, the blues, improvisation and high-level interaction are all major areas of focus. Students have many opportunities to perform and experience great performances on and off campus. SIUE is just minutes away from the thriving musical culture in St. Louis, a city that has played a key role in the development of the blues, ragtime, jazz, rock 'n' roll and hip hop.
Jazz musician and producer Quincy Jones once stated that jazz is the classical music of pop. Quincy’s statement rings true as many of our graduates have gone on to work in jazz, as well as all areas of popular music. Other common career paths include freelance musician, musical director, producer, composer, arranger, and educator. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, within the next ten years the job growth for musicians and singers will rise as fast as the average for all occupations. In the jazz performance specialization program at SIUE, students develop the musical and entrepreneurial skills that will help sustain a successful career in music.
Year 1 - Fall Semester
(1) MUS 121a Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(3) MUS 125a Theory (BFPA)
(1) MUS 126a Aural Skills
(2 or 4) MUS 141 Applied Lessons
(1) MUS 230 Improvisation
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(3) ENG 101 Composition
(3) ACS 103 Interpersonal Communication (EUSC)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
15 or 17 - Total Credits
Year 1 - Spring Semester
(1) MUS 121b Class Piano
(3) MUS 125b Theory (BFPA)
(1) MUS 126b Aural Skills
(2) MUS 267 History of Music I (BHUM, EGC)
(2 or 4) MUS 141 Applied Lessons
(1) MUS 230 Improvisation
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(3) ENG 102 Composition
(3) RA 101 Reasoning & Argumentation
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
17 or 19 - Total Credits
Year 2 - Fall Semester
(4) MUS 225a Theory (BFPA)
(2) MUS 367a History of Music II (BHUM, EGC)
(2) MUS 231 Jazz Keyboard Theory
(2 or 4) MUS 241 Applied Lessons
(1) MUS 330 Improvisation (BFPA)
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(3) QR 101, MATH 150 or Higher
(0) MUS 100
15 or 17 - Total Credits
Year 2 - Spring Semester
(4) MUS 225b Theory (BFPA)
(2) MUS 367b History of Music III (BHUM, EGC)
(2 or 4) MUS 241 Applied Lessons
(1) MUS 330 Improvisation (BFPA)
(2) MUS 331 Jazz Keyboard Theory (BFPA)
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(3) Breadth Social Science (BSS)
(3) Breadth Humanities (BHUM)
(0) MUS 100
15 or 17 - Total Credits
Year 3 - Fall Semester
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(3) MUS 337 Analysis of Jazz Styles
(4) MUS 341 Applied Lessons
(2) MUS 409a Jazz Arranging
(1) MUS 430 Improvisation
(4) Foreign Language 101
(0) MUS 100
15 - Total Credits
Year 3 - Spring Semester
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(4) MUS 341 Applied Lessons
(2) MUS 409b Jazz Arranging
(1) MUS 430 Improvisation
(4) Foreign Language 102 (EGC)
(0) MUS 100
Junior Recital - During 3rd Year
12 - Total Credits
Year 3 - Fall Semester
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(2) MUS 439 Recording Techniques
(1) MUS 430 Improvisation
(4) MUS 441 Applied Lessons
(3) Breadth Physical Science (BPS)
(3) Lab Experience (EL)
(0) MUS 100
14 - Total Credits
Year 4 - Spring Semester
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(1) MUS 430 Improvisation
(2) MUS 436 Jazz Education
(4) MUS 441 Applied Lessons
(3) Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)
(3) Breadth Life Science (BLS)/Health Experience (EH)
(0) MUS 100
(0) MUS 400a-z Senior Assignment
(0) MUS 490 - Senior Recital During 4th Year
14 or 17 - Total Credits
