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Jazz and Improvisation

Expand Your Creativity

The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz and Improvisation is for musicians pursuing careers in jazz, studio recording, and performance in contemporary idioms (popular, world, experimental). The core classes in jazz and improvisation provide innovative learning opportunities covering jazz harmony, theory and improvisation, history and analysis, composition, arranging, and global improvisation. In addition, students choose elective classes that provide opportunities across disciplines to engage in creative ideation and problem-solving through sound production. Students who graduate from this program will have a competitive edge as they enter the professional world or apply to graduate programs in jazz and contemporary improvisation.

Students in this program will benefit from instruction and mentorship from some of the leading jazz and improvisation artists in the United States and beyond. 91原创 faculty in this program include members of well-established, internationally esteemed jazz, contemporary, and Broadway ensembles that perform regionally in New York, Philadelphia, and across the United States and abroad. In addition, students collaborate with guest artists and clinicians. Most importantly, students benefit from an innovative, student-centered curriculum. In addition to numerous big-band and jazz chamber opportunities, students discover and create through hands-on application, for example, by learning jazz harmony at the keyboard, and by studying jazz theory and improvisation with instruments in hand.听听

RELATED MAJORS

Music

Music Composition

Music Education

Music History and Literature

Music Management

Music Theory

AREAS OF ST91原创Y

  • Core courses music theory, aural skills, class piano, and music history

  • Specialized training in jazz theory, jazz history and analysis, improvisation, global styles, composition, and arranging

  • Private weekly lessons in classical and jazz styles

  • Large jazz bands and small jazz combos

  • Independent research and public performance preparation

CAREER OPTIONS听

  • Performing Artist

  • Higher Education

  • Freelance Musician

  • Recording Artist

  • Teaching (private studio or affiliated institute)

  • Arts Advocate and Reviewer

  • Artistic Director

  • Military Bands

  • Pit Orchestra or Session Musician

  • Church Musician

  • Composition and Arranging

  • Song Writing

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

  • Jazz Studies

  • Improvisation

  • New Music

  • Performance

  • Conducting

  • Teaching

  • Composition

  • Musicology

  • Music Theory

  • Music Entrepreneurship

What鈥檚 special about this program?

Bachelor of Music degrees are rigorous and competitive听programs where students get conservatory-like experiences. Qualified students incorporate听minors, Honors Degrees, Degrees with Distinction, Service-Learning, study abroad, and research. The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree offers students increased flexibility for a unique and more personalized music education.

We maintain a low student-to-faculty ratio and small classes, providing access to a passionate, invested and highly accomplished faculty comprised of professionally active performers, composers, educators, theorists and musicologists. 听The study of music at Delaware is enriched by nearly 300 performances each year by faculty, students, ensembles and guest artists. Additionally, the vast musical resources of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and New York City are easily accessible to our majors.

Get Involved

The Jazz Educators and Performers Association (JEPA)

Music Management Student Assoc (MMSA)

College Music Society (91原创 Student Chapter)

Music Theory Society of the Mid-Atlantic

A cappella and other musical groups

Nationally Connected Organizations

Sample curriculum

FALL听听SPRING
ENGL 110 - First-Year Writing听听MATH 113 - Contemporary Mathematics听or higher
MUSC 151 - Private Study for Bachelor of Music IMUSC 152 - Private Study for Bachelor of Music II
MUSC 175 - Class Piano: Elementary I*MUSC 178 - Jazz Harmony at the Keyboard
MUSC 184 - Music Fundamentals: Theory and Fluency*听MUSC 186 - Aural Skills II
MUSC 185 - Aural Skills I听听MUSC 195 - Foundations of Music Theory
MUSC 477 - Jazz EnsembleMUSC 477 - Jazz Ensemble
UNIV 101 - First Year Experience IBreadth Requirement
Breadth Requirement
Breadth Requirement
Credits: 17Credits: 15
FALLSPRING
MUSC 211 - Music, History, and IdeasMUSC 212 - Narratives of Western Classical Music听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听
MUSC 251 - Private Study for Bachelor of Music IIIMUSC 252 - Private Study for Bachelor of Music IV听听
MUSC 285 - Aural Skills III听听MUSC 286 - Aural Skills IV
MUSC 293 - Jazz Theory and Improvisation I听听MUSC 430 - Chamber Ensemble
MUSC 430 - Chamber EnsembleMUSC 477 - Jazz Ensemble
MUSC 477 - Jazz EnsembleForeign Language Requirement
Foreign Language RequirementElective (from approved list)
Credits: 16Credits: 13
FALLSPRING
MUSC 296 - Post-tonal Music: Theory and AnalysisMUSC 382 - Private Study in Jazz and Improvisation II
MUSC 381 - Private Study for Jazz and Improvisation IMUSC 391 - Jazz Composition and Arranging
MUSC 390 - Jazz History and Analysis听听MUSC 430 - Chamber Ensemble
MUSC 430 - Chamber EnsembleElective (from approved list)
MUSC 491 - Global ImprovisationMUSC 477 - Jazz Ensemble
MUSC 213听or听MUSC 314听or听MUSC 315听or听MUSC 316听or听MUSC 317听 听 听 听 听 听听MUSC 411听or听MUSC 314听or听MUSC 315听or听MUSC 316听or听MUSC 317
Elective (from approved list)听 听
Credits: 17Credits: 14
FALLSPRING
MUSC 401 - Senior Recital
Breadth RequirementMUSC 430 - Chamber Ensemble
MUSC 430 - Chamber EnsembleMUSC 483 - Private Study in Jazz and Improvisation IV听 听 听 听听
MUSC 482 - Private Study in Jazz and Improvisation III听听MUSC 477 - Jazz Ensemble
MUSC 492 - Jazz PedagogyElective (from approved list)
Elective (from approved list)Elective (from approved list)
MUSC 411 - Topics in Music History听听
Elective (from approved list)
Credits: 16Credits: 14

Go Global at 91原创

This major is eligible for the following program:

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