Degree Requirements

JAzz Studies

BM • Jazz

Overview

The 4-year undergraduate Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz degree allows students to pursue an emphasis in jazz performance or jazz composition. All jazz majors participate in lessons and ensembles, and receive comprehensive instruction in jazz and classically-based music theory and music history. Students with an emphasis in composition enroll in jazz composition lessons in addition to lessons in their primary instrument. All jazz majors also complete the university’s core curriculum.

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Contacts
Degree Requirements
Advising & Registration
Important Links

Contacts

Administrative Contacts

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Stephen Page

Scholarships & Assistantships

Anne Hall

Academic Advisor for Music

Joseph Reese

Registrar

Phaedra White Abbott

Assistant Director for Admissions

Sarah Goerg

Operations & Scheduling

Page Stephens

College of Fine Arts Student Affairs

Faculty

Paul Deemer

Specialist in Jazz Trombone
John Fremgen

Associate Professor of Jazz Studies, Double Bass
Director, Alternative Improvisation Music Ensemble
Division Head, Jazz Studies
Sean Giddings

Lecturer in Jazz Piano
Adam Jackson

Lecturer in Drum Set
John Mills

Professor of Jazz Composition, Jazz Saxophone
Diego Rivera

Director of Jazz Studies
Director, Jazz Orchestra
Associate Professor of Jazz Studies & Jazz Saxophone
Mike Sailors

Professor of Practice in Jazz Trumpet
Bruce Saunders

Lecturer in Jazz Guitar
Omar Thomas

Assistant Professor of Composition

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Degree Requirements

Degree plans provide you with a list of all the courses that are required to earn a specific degree. You can use them to decide on a major, compare the differences in degrees, and to make informed decisions in choosing which courses to take each semester.

Undergraduate degree plans are available on the College of Fine Arts website.

View Degree Plans

Recitals

Bachelor of Music students in performance or composition degrees are required to perform a Senior Recital in the final year of study, after successfully passing the Full Division Faculty Jury (FDFJ).

Jazz students and performance students with a focus in pedagogy are also required to perform a Junior Recital in the third year of study. Junior recitals are typically shorter and should never extend beyond an hour.

Find recital scheduling procedures on the Butler School Operations website.

Juries

Bachelor of Music in Jazz students with an emphasis in performance must perform juries throughout their four years of study. Students perform juries in combos and should prepare 5-6 minutes of music per student. Repertoire should be chosen in collaboration with instructors.

Jury Requirements by Year
First Year	Juries required at the end of the fall and spring semesters.
Second Year	Juries required at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Upper-advancement decisions will be made after the spring jury.
Third Year	Jury required for one semester. No jury is required at the end of the semester in which student has performed a Junior Recital.
Fourth Year	Jury required for one semester. No jury is required at the end of the semester in which student has performed a Senior Recital.

Postponements are allowed for extenuating circumstances (injury, death in the family, etc.). No-shows are considered a failure. If a jury is postponed, the student must perform the jury within the first twelve class days.

Jury comments from faculty will be shared with students. The jury constitutes 50% of the semester grade for applied lessons and is determined by averaging individual grades of the jury panel (not including the primary studio teacher).

Find more information about this semester's juries, including FDFJ forms and deadlines.

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ADVISING & REGISTRATION

For information about course registration, academic deadlines, adding and dropping courses, applying to graduate and other policies, visit the College of Fine Arts Student Affairs website.

Non-music majors should contact their home college’s advising office. Prospective students may contact the Music Admissions Office for assistance.

Music majors who wish to take a restricted individual instruction course need to fill out a Consent Form. Once the faculty member has approved your request, the bar to register for the course will be lifted. This form is available at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters and summer session registration periods, through the 12th class day (4th class day for summer sessions).

Music majors who wish to take an independent study course need to complete a Request Form. The request will be reviewed by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. If approved, the Academic Advisor for Music will add the independent study course for the student. This form is available every semester.

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