Also known as: Music Performance (Jazz), Jazz Composition, Contemporary Music Studies
A program that prepares individuals to study and master the performance and composition of Jazz. Includes instruction in the history of Jazz and related musical styles such as the Blues, Jazz composition and theory, improvisation, Jazz instrument and ensemble performance, and related topics.
Jazz PerformanceMusic CompositionMusic EducationMusic ArrangementCreative ArtsPerforming ArtsEntertainment IndustryCreativeFine Arts
A Week as a Student
Your week kicks off with Jazz Theory I, where Professor Chen breaks down extended harmonies. It's challenging but clicks during the ear training drills. Later, in Jazz History, you learn about Bebop's evolution, taking meticulous notes. After grabbing lunch, you head to a practice room, spending two hours on scales and a challenging Coltrane transcription on your saxophone. That evening, you grab dinner with your dorm friends, unwinding before preparing for tomorrow's applied lesson. The rhythm of college life is settling in, demanding focus but offering community.
High School Preparation
Required Subjects
Music TheoryInstrumental/Vocal PerformanceEnglishHistory
Recommended GPA
2.5-3.5
Advanced Courses (AP/IB/Honors)
AP Music Theory
IB Music
AP English Literature
Core Subjects
Click on "i" to learn more about each subject
Career Prospects
Stable Study Prospects
Graduates often pursue careers as professional jazz musicians, composers, arrangers, music educators, or band leaders. Opportunities span live performance, studio recording, film scoring, and private instruction.
Impact of AI on this Study
AI tools can assist in music composition, production, and analysis, potentially enhancing creative workflows and providing new learning tools for jazz artists. However, the core of jazz relies heavily on human improvisation, expression, and cultural understanding, which remain uniquely human domains.