Specializations
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.
Career Opportunities
A degree in jazz performance from SIUE prepares students for careers as successful performers, composers, educators and cultural leaders. Some students continue their studies in graduate schools while others have gone on to successful careers in music composition, tour management, administration, performance and teaching. Competition in the music business is keen and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of musicians and related workers to grow approximately eight percent over the next eight years.
Sample Curriculum for the Bachelor of Music, Specialization in Jazz Performance
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 Private Jazz
(1) MUS 230 Improvisation
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(3) ENG 101 English Composition I
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
(3) ACS 101 Public Speaking
(1) FST 101 Succeeding & Engaging at SIUE
16 or 18 - Total Credits
Year 1 (Spring Semester)
(1) MUS 121B Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(3) MUS 125B Theory (BFPA)
(1) MUS 126B Aural Skills
(2) MUS 267 History of Music I (BHUM, EGC)
(2 or 4) MUS 141 Private Jazz
(1) MUS 230 Improvisation
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(3) ENG 102 English Composition II
(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 Private Jazz
(1) MUS 330 Improvisation (BFPA)
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(3) QR 101, MATH 150 or Higher
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
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 Private Jazz
(1) MUS 330 Improvisation (BFPA)
(2) MUS 331 Jazz Keyboard Theory (BFPA)
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(3) Breadth Social Science (BSS)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
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) FL 101 Elementary Foreign Language I (BICS)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
15 - Total Credits
Year 3 (Spring Semester)
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(4) MUS 341 Private Jazz
(2) MUS 409B Jazz Arranging
(1) MUS 430 Improvisation
(4) FL 102 Elementary Foreign Language II (EGC)
(3) Breadth Humanities (BHUM)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
Junior Recital - During 3rd Year
15 - Total Credits
Year 4 (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) with a Lab (EL)
(2) Elective
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
13 - Total Credits
Year 4 (Spring Semester)
(1) MUS 333 Jazz Combo
(1) MUS 430 Improvisation
(2) MUS 436 Jazz Education
(4) MUS 441 Private Jazz
(3) Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)
(3) Breadth Life Science (BLS)/Health Experience (EH)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
(0) MUS 400A-Z Senior Assignment
(0) MUS 490 Senior Recital - During 4th Year
14 - Total Credits
Total Hours 120
Transfer Students: To maximize your transfer experience, complete the bold course requirements pre-transfer and satisfy either the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Ed Core or receive an AA, AS or AAT (early childhood, special ed or math) degree from an IAI community college. If minor requirements are shown, discuss careful course selection with the academic advising contact listed. Visit the transfer credit website to find course equivalency guides.
