USC School of Music

Bachelor of Music: EMPHASIS in JAZZ STUDIES

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General Education Requirements (38 credit hours)

ENGL 101, 102, passed with a C or higher

6 credit hours

Numerical and Analytical Reasoning:

6 credit hours

Liberal Arts
(Must include 3 hours in history and 3 hours in fine arts other than music)

12 credit hours

Natural Sciences

7-8 credit hours

Nonmusic electives
(Must include demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course)

6-7 credit hours

Total General Education Requirements

38 credits

Major Requirements (90 credit hours)

Music Theory and Ear-Training Sequence: MUSC 115, 116, 117, 118, 215, 216, 217, 218

16 credit hours

Music History: MUSC 353, 354, and 455 (9 hours) :

9 credit hours

Applied: MUSC 211 (8 hours), MUSC 411 (4 hours), Jazz Improvisation Sequence: MUSC 219, 220, 329, 330, Applied jazz MUSC 411z (8 hours)
Guitar/Bass: 111N/U (4 hours), 211z (4 hours), Jazz Improvisation Sequence: MUSC 219, 220, 329, 330, 411z (12 hours)

Junior Year Recital
Senior Year Recital

Recital information

How the applied, improvisation and jazz theory sequence works:
[Jazz Theory I prepares the student for Improvisation I & II.]
[Jazz Theory II prepares the student for Improvisation III & IV.] Freshman Year

Fall
MUSC 211 (2 hours with primary applied teacher)

Spring
MUSC 211 (2 hours with primary applied teacher)
[Should also be enrolled in MUSC319 - Jazz Theory I]

Sophomore Year

Fall
MUSC 211 (2 hours with primary applied teacher)
MUSC 219 - Jazz Improvisation I
[Should also be enrolled in MUSC320 - Jazz Theory II]

Spring
MUSC 211 (2 hours with primary applied teacher)
MUSC 220 - Jazz Improvisation II

Junior Year

Fall
MUSC 411 (2 hours with primary applied teacher)
MUSC 329 - Jazz Improvisation III

Spring
MUSC 411 (2 hours with primary applied teacher)
MUSC 330 - Jazz Improvisation IV
Junior Recital

Senior Year

Fall
MUSC 411z (4 hours with jazz faculty)

Spring
MUSC 411z (4 hours with jazz faculty)
Senior Recital

32 credit hours

Ensembles
Winds - (8 hours) 6 semesters of MUSC 131 (Jazz Big Band), 2 semesters of MUSC 132 (Jazz Combo);
Rhythm - 2 semesters of MUSC 131 (Jazz Big Band), 2 semesters of MUSC 132 (Jazz Combo), 4 semesters from 131, 132, or 130

8 credit hours

Required Courses
Jazz Theory sequence: MUSC 319, 320
Jazz History: 140
Conducting: 333 (Conducting)
518 (Form & analysis) or
525 (Post-Tonal Music Theory)
520 (Studio Arranging)

17 credit hours

Music Electives

7 credit hours

MUSC 100 (Recital Class)

6 Semesters

Total Major Requirements

90 credits

Total Degree Requirements

128 credits

Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in jazz studies (or the equivalent), including keyboard skills and proficiency in a keyboard, orchestral, wind, or percussion instrument equivalent to the completion of the third year of undergraduate instruction at USC; documentation of extensive jazz experience.

[Information regarding Comprehensive Oral Exams.]

MUSC 707 Music Bibliography and Research 2 credits
Major Area:

20 credits

a) Jazz composition studies (8 credits of MUSC 716)

b) Nonjazz composition studies (2 credits of MUSC 516 or 716)

c) Jazz Studies - 9 credits from:
713 [Jazz Theory]
714 [Advanced Arranging]
786 [Advanced Jazz Improvisation]
MUSC 524 [MIDI Projects: No Longer Offered]

d) Composition recital (1 credit of MUSC 790)

Recital information

Music History (as determined by the Music Diagnostic Exam) 3 credits
Music Theory (one 700-level analytical course) 3 credits
Music Electives (may include ensemble credits) 4 credits
Total 32 credits

Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in jazz performance (or the equivalent), including keyboard skills

[Information regarding Comprehensive Oral Exams.]

MUSC 707 Music Bibliography and Research 2 credits
Major Area 20 credits

a) Applied studies (8 credits of MUSC 711Z)

b) Jazz Studies - 9 credits from:
713 [Jazz Theory]
714 [Advanced Arranging]
786 [Advanced Jazz Improvisation]
MUSC 524 [MIDI Projects: No Longer Offered]

c) Recital (1 credit of MUSC 796)

Recital information

d) Jazz Combo (2 credits of MUSC 735)

Music History (as determined by the Music Diagnostic Exam) 3 credits
Music Theory (one 700-level analytical course) 3 credits
Music Electives (may include ensemble credits) 4 credits
Total 32 credits

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
All candidates for a master's degree in music or music education are required to pass an oral comprehensive examination, which usually occurs during the last semester of enrollment. The request for scheduling the examination should be submitted through the Music Graduate Office at least 60 days in advance of the requested examination date. The examination will cover the major area, music history/literature, and music theory. The examination committee will consist of five members - three in the student's major area, one in music history, and one in music theory. A failed examination may be retaken only once. In extenuating circumstances, however, and with the approval of the Music Graduate Committee, the examination may be taken a third time. Because some faculty may not be available, the student should consult the Music Graduate Director before planning to take the examination during the summer months. The examination must be passed at least 15 days but not more than two calendar years before the degree is to be conferred.

Bachelor of Music: EMPHASIS in JAZZ STUDIES

General Education Requirements (38 credit hours)

Major Requirements (90 credit hours)

Master of Music in Jazz Studies

JAZZ COMPOSITION

Ensemble requirement: Minimum of two semesters in an appropriate jazz ensemble (MUSC 734E)

Master of Music in Jazz Studies

JAZZ PERFORMANCE

Ensemble requirement: Minimum of two semesters in an appropriate jazz ensemble (MUSC 734E)