Jazz Studies

  What is Jazz Studies?

Jazz is an artistic musical form involving a spontaneous kind of composition called improvisation and a rhythmic concept called swing. Many consider it to be America’s major contribution to the art music of the world. It grew out of the African-American experience at the beginning of the 20th century and combined elements of African, Western European classical, and 19th-century American music. Jazz evolved through many styles including New Orleans Dixieland, swing, big band, bebop, hard bop and cool. It also incorporated elements of popular, folk, electronic and ethnic music from all over the world to create various fusions.

As a result, jazz is a broad term sometimes interpreted as everything from dance music to avant-garde concerts, from popular instrumentals to computer-generated movie soundtracks, from saxophone/Indian tabla duos to big bands playing Duke Ellington tunes, from vocal standards to symphony orchestras with Latin/jazz percussionists. However, most professional jazz musicians perform their creative improvisations in three- to six-piece groups, generally in local venues, on concert tours and for recordings. Many supplement their income by working in more commercial forms of entertainment in clubs, restaurants, theaters and recording studios.

The jazz studies program at the UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) teaches the fundamentals of classical music, stylistic elements of each historical jazz period, strategies for enhancing originality, techniques of electronic media, and today’s cutting-edge trends that defy categorization. By receiving a wide musical perspective and the command of a broad jazz language, the student is equipped to pursue a future in jazz art music. At the same time, this thorough course of study serves as the best preparation for related careers in commercial music.

  Success Factors

Successful jazz musicians are highly motivated to follow their artistic path. They are self-starters and very dedicated to lifelong practice and personal growth. Since jazz is even more collaborative than other musical idioms, a desire to work closely with others is very important. Jazz musicians have strong right-brain inclinations such as musicality, creativity and intuition. However, since jazz study utilizes theoretical tools, jazz musicians often have the ability to effectively integrate left-brain analytical skills as well.

  Career Possibilities

Graduates of this major pursue many different careers. While most specialize in jazz, many perform in other areas of contemporary music. A few examples include: 

  Majoring in Jazz Studies

The jazz studies program is a four-year bachelor’s degree program designed for the student seeking a professional career in jazz and related fields of contemporary music. The philosophical objective is to develop the special talents of the creative jazz artist as well as the flexible skills required of the successful, well-rounded musician.

The comprehensive curriculum includes weekly private lessons with jazz artist-teachers in residence, improvisation study in small classroom workshops, extensive courses in jazz theory, arranging, composition, jazz history and jazz keyboard skills, plus integrally related courses like electronic music, digital recording and editing, sound reinforcement technology, the business of music, and ethnic and world music. There also are courses in classical music theory, musicianship, music history, secondary piano and conducting, as well as a wide choice of theory and history electives. General studies in English and liberal arts complete the degree to provide a well-rounded education.

Frequent rehearsals, recitals and concerts provide the opportunity for students to work closely with the faculty and, in some cases, present student/faculty collaborative performances. In addition to the 12 jazz faculty members in residence, numerous visiting artists present workshops and joint performances with students.

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the Course Applicability System (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

FIRST YEAR

SECOND YEAR

THIRD YEAR

FOURTH YEAR

Students present a public recital in the senior year with works representing a variety of historical and contemporary jazz styles and at least one original composition and arrangement. This performance is in addition to the numerous collaborative combo and big-band concerts given by all students during each year of study.

In addition to the bachelor of music in jazz studies (described above), three other degree options are possible:

• Bachelor of music in music education with an additional specialization in jazz
• Double major in music education and jazz studies
• Bachelor of arts in music (jazz applied study)

  UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

CCM is a college of the University of Cincinnati, a major undergraduate university and graduate research institution of 36,500 students. This provides a wide selection of academic electives and allows jazz studies majors the opportunity to explore other fields or other potential majors. While it is part of the larger university, CCM also maintains an atmosphere of a professional conservatory. There is a feeling of "family" among CCM students and an especially close camaraderie among jazz students.

Described by the New York Times as "one of this country's leading conservatories," CCM offers professional training in all areas of performance, composition, musicology, theory, conducting, music education, opera, musical theater, drama, technical arts for the stage, dance, arts administration and electronic media. The College-Conservatory of Music presents an all-encompassing environment for the student who realizes that there are no longer any dividing lines between today's various performing and media arts.

The metropolitan area of Greater Cincinnati and the Tri-state region provide a busy and diverse working environment for jazz, classical and commercial musicians. Many students find professional playing opportunities off campus. In addition to major arts organizations like the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, venues such as Riverbend Music Center, US Bank Arena, and the Aronoff Center for the Arts present music by international touring artists. Numerous jazz clubs feature local groups, often including CCM students. Many students like the fact that Cincinnati is a major cultural center, but still a city that is a "livable" size.

Jazz students enjoy the advantages of the comprehensive performing arts and electronic media facilities of the newly constructed CCM Village. Jazz performing groups present concerts and recitals in Corbett Auditorium, Patricia Corbett Theater, Cohen Family Studio Theater, Werner Recital Hall and Watson Recital Hall. In addition, dedicated jazz studies program facilities include a new digital recording and editing studio; a MIDI lab; computer workstations for music notation and sequencing programs; a state-of-the-art, computer-based teaching/presentation "smart classroom"; and rehearsal halls for jazz combos, big bands and other student-organized performing groups. The Electronic Media Division also offers extensive state-of-the-art recording facilities.

Jazz wind players, pianists and vocalists utilize the newly constructed practice rooms in Memorial Hall, while jazz guitarists, bassists and drummers have exclusive practice and storage rooms in close proximity to the rehearsal halls and performance theaters. In addition to CCM’s Gorno Memorial Music Library, the jazz studies program has its own jazz record library housing over 12,000 historic LPs.

  Special Programs

Professional-level ensembles constitute the basis of the performing experience. Two big bands, the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band, perform a wide variety of styles including historical swing, bebop, post-bop, fusion, Latin and avant-garde. Special emphasis is placed on the idiom's great art music composers such as Thad Jones, Bill Holman and Bob Brookmeyer, on projects like the annual all-Ellington transcription concert, and on the performance of student arrangements. Concerts have included tributes to Woody Herman and Stan Kenton, as well as composer residency programs featuring artists like Jim McNeely, Kenny Werner, Maria Schneider, Slide Hampton, Tim Hagans and Kenny Wheeler as guest conductors/performers. The Jazz Ensemble has been invited to appear at numerous professional festivals, educational conferences and radio broadcasts.

Many internationally recognized artists have performed as soloists with the big bands and combos, including Don Braden, John Clayton, Eddie Daniels, John Fedchock, Frank Foster, Curtis Fuller, Kenny Garrett, Billy Hart, Fred Hersch, Joe Henderson, Ahmad Jamal, Dave Liebman, Mulgrew Miller, Joshua Redman, Red Rodney, Arturo Sandoval, Marvin Stamm, Byron Stripling, Norris Turney, Roland Vazquez, Jiggs Whigham and James Williams.

"Seranade in Blue," the most recent compact disc recording by the CCM Jazz Ensemble on Sea Breeze Records, continues to receive wide recognition and enthusiastic reviews. Cadence Magazine called it "a necessary part of any big-band enthusiast's library." Jazz Education Journal named it as one of the "top campus CDs of the year," and Jazz Journal (England) said it featured "an array of remarkably mature soloists who would hold their own in any professional organization."

Just as important as the big bands is the extensive chamber jazz program including approximately nine combos. It ensures that all jazz majors perform in a supervised combo every year of their study. Specialized combos such as the Brazilian Ensemble and Jazz Guitar Ensemble are offered. CCM ensembles have received awards from Down Beat magazine and at numerous festivals. Jazz students may also audition for more than 17 other orchestral, wind and choral ensembles at CCM. Of particular interest to jazz majors are the numerous musical theater productions that utilize pit orchestras. The CCM Faculty Jazztet also performs in residence on campus and often presents joint concerts with student ensembles.

In addition to the guest artists listed above who have performed with CCM ensembles, the Visiting Jazz Artist Workshop Series features clinics by jazz greats who perform with the students and present clinics, critiques and lectures. There are approximately a dozen guest artists each year. Jazz studies majors also enjoy the advantage of the myriad classes, ensembles and workshops offered by CCM's many other departments.

  Admission Requirements

Freshmen applying to this program should have completed the following college-preparatory subjects:

• English (4 units)
• College-preparatory Mathematics (3 units)
• Science (2 units)
• Social Science (2 units)
• Foreign Language (2 units)
• Fine Arts (1 unit)
• Additional subjects (2 units)

To view and download specific admission and audition/interview requirements for this program please go to CCM Application Handbook.

  Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Students changing majors from other programs or colleges within UC will be considered based on the same criteria as outside transfers.

  International Student Requirements

In addition to the requirements mentioned earlier, international students must adhere to the following instructions:

1. Apply before Dec. 1 for the following fall enrollment date.

2. All international students are required to submit school transcripts that show subjects studied and grades for each of the four years of study prior to high school graduation. Because of differing school systems, if only three years were completed in a high school and the fourth year in a middle school, transcripts of subjects and grades for all four years are required. The transcripts must be translated into English and be officially certified with a seal that it is an accurate and true translation. If these instructions are not followed, the transcript will be returned to the student. In addition, students are required to provide a high school diploma, leaving certificate, etc.

3. Forward proof of English proficiency through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The University of Cincinnati has strict requirements in this area and a minimum score of 515 (paper test) or 187 (computer- based test) on the TOEFL is essential. Test applications can be obtained from TOEFL, Box 877, Princeton NJ 08540.

4. Submit a taped audition by following the procedures stated in "Requirements for Recorded Auditions" on page 19 of the CCM Application Handbook.

5. After you are accepted, send official verification of available funding (at least $36,222 subject to change) directly to the Office of International Services, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 210627 Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0627. This must indicate the amount of money the student will have to spend while attending the University of Cincinnati, and must be from a bank official.

NOTE: Because there are no foreign student loans, international students must make every attempt to obtain financial assistance from their own governments to support studies in the United States. Official notification of all funding (from private or government sources) must be forwarded to this university’s Office of International Services.

After all information has been received and acceptance has been made by the UC College-Conservatory of Music, the I-20 form will be issued only by the UC Office of International Services. CCM does not issue these forms. All questions regarding the I-20 must be addressed to the Office of International Services (513-556-2879).

  Graduation Requirements

Several months before graduation, each candidate for a degree must file a formal application for degree with the college office. If a student fails to properly complete this application process, the university will not be responsible for the student's graduation. A minimum of one year in residence as a full-time student is required of all students wishing to apply for any degree awarded by CCM.

  Application Deadlines

Admission to the UC College-Conservatory of Music is competitive. The admissions process begins after Sept. 1 for entrance in the following fall quarter. Application deadline is Dec. 1.

  Accreditation

CCM's founding schools (the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and the College of Music of Cincinnati) were both charter members of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The requirements for entrance and graduation in all music programs are in accordance with the published regulations of NASM.