Jazz Studies, Emphasis
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree with an emphasis in Jazz Studies prepares students for careers in their chosen performance medium. Students with this degree have careers as a soloists, chamber musicians, ensemble musicians, and studio teachers. The major focuses on the needs for students who primarily perform in the jazz and contemporary media style. There is an emphasis on becoming an effective improviser and on developing both combo and big band skillsets.
Course Requirements
The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Core 1: Critical Thinking | ||
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| MTH 121 | Concepts and Applications (CT) | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Core 2 | ||
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| MTH 121 | Concepts and Applications (CT) | 3 |
| Core II Phys./Natural Science | 4 | |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Core II Social Science | 3 | |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Additional University Requirements | ||
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Multicultural/International | 3 | |
| MUS 497 | Capstone Project in Music | 1-2 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Applied 100 | 2 | |
| Applied 100 | 2 | |
| Applied 100 | 2 | |
| Applied 100 | 2 | |
| Applied 300 | 2 | |
| Applied 300 | 2 | |
| Applied 300 | 2 | |
| Applied 300 | 2 | |
| MUSA 276 | Sophomore Hearing | 0 |
| MUSA 376 | Recital | 0 |
| MUSA 476 | Senior Recital | 0 |
| Principal Ensemble | 8 | |
| MUS 100 | Applied Music Laboratory (8 semesters) | 0 |
| MUSP 110 | The Professional Musician | 1 |
| MUSP 111 | Elementary Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSP 112 | Elementary Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUSP 113 | Elem Aural Skills I | 2 |
| MUSP 114 | Elem Aural Skills II | 2 |
| MUS 211 | Advanced Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUS 213 | Adv Aural Skills I | 2 |
| MUS 217 | Jazz Theory | 4 |
| MUS 218 | Intro to Music Technology | 3 |
| MUS 231 | Jazz Improvisation I | 2 |
| MUS 232 | Jazz Improvisation II | 2 |
| MUS 250 | History of Jazz | 3 |
| MUSP 325 | Music Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MUS 323 | Jazz Arranging/Composing | 3 |
| MUS 331 | Jazz Improvisation III | 2 |
| MUS 332 | Jazz Improvisation IV | 2 |
| MUS 360 | Music History 1730 - 1900 | 3 |
| MUS 361 | Music History Since 1900 | 3 |
| MUS 412 | Jazz Pedagogy and Conducting | 3 |
| MUS 413 | Jazz Styles | 2 |
| MUS 497 | Capstone Project in Music | 1 |
| Music Elective | 2 | |
| Music Elective | 2 | |
| MUSP 121 | Class Piano I | 1 |
| MUSP 122 | Class Piano II | 1 |
| MUSP 123 | Class Piano III | 1 |
| MUSP 124 | Class Piano IV | 1 |
| Non-Music Elective | 3 | |
| Non-Music Elective | 3 | |
| Non-Music Elective | 3 | |
| Non-Music Elective | 1 | |
Major Information
- All students desiring entry into the B.F.A. degree, the music education program, or the music minor must be formally admitted to the music program. This admittance is based upon an audition in the student’s major performance area (instrument or voice) and an interview with the area faculty. Students desiring to enter the theory and composition area of emphasis should be prepared to show evidence of music theory study and/ or compositions. Students should contact the music office to arrange for an audition and interview.
- All coursework in the music and music education majors must be completed with a grade of C or above. A course with a grade of D or F must be repeated with at least a grade of C to count for graduation or be used as a prerequisite for another required course.
- All music and music education majors are required to pass a piano proficiency examination prior to the capstone semester. Successful completion of MUSP 124 Class Piano IV satisfies this requirement.
- In addition to university and degree program requirements listed under the Bachelor of Fine Arts, candidates for the B.F.A. in music must complete 73 credit hours of study in music, divided into the core curriculum of 18 credit hours and 55 credit hours devoted to one of four areas of emphasis.
- Thirty-nine (39) credit hours must be earned in courses numbered 300-499.
- No course in the major requirements for graduation may be taken Credit/Non-Credit unless the course is so specified.
- Upon completion of the fourth semester of 100-level applied music study on the principal instrument, students must pass a sophomore hearing (MUSA 276 Sophomore Hearing) for promotion to upper-division (300-level) applied music study on the principal instrument.
Semester Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| MUS 100 | Applied Music Laboratory | 0 |
| MUSP 111 | Elementary Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSP 113 | Elem Aural Skills I | 2 |
| MUSP 121 | Class Piano I | 1 |
| Music Elective | 2 | |
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| MTH 121 | Concepts and Applications (CT) | 3 |
| Principal Ensemble | 1 | |
| Applied 100 | 2 | |
| UNI 100 | Freshman First Class | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MUS 100 | Applied Music Laboratory | 0 |
| MUSP 110 | The Professional Musician | 1 |
| MUSP 112 | Elementary Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUSP 114 | Elem Aural Skills II | 2 |
| MUSP 122 | Class Piano II | 1 |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| Principal Ensemble | 1 | |
| Applied 100 | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| MUS 100 | Applied Music Laboratory | 0 |
| MUSP 123 | Class Piano III | 1 |
| MUS 211 | Advanced Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUS 213 | Adv Aural Skills I | 2 |
| MUS 231 | Jazz Improvisation I | 2 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| Core II Humanities (CT, WI) | 3 | |
| Principal Ensemble | 1 | |
| Applied 100 | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MUS 100 | Applied Music Laboratory | 0 |
| MUSP 124 | Class Piano IV | 1 |
| MUS 217 | Jazz Theory | 4 |
| MUS 232 | Jazz Improvisation II | 2 |
| MUS 250 | History of Jazz | 3 |
| MUSA 276 | Sophomore Hearing | 0 |
| Principal Ensemble | 1 | |
| Applied 100 | 2 | |
| Core II Physical/Natural Science | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| MUS 100 | Applied Music Laboratory | 0 |
| MUS 218 | Intro to Music Technology | 3 |
| MUS 413 | Jazz Styles | 2 |
| MUS 331 | Jazz Improvisation III | 2 |
| MUS 360 | Music History 1730 - 1900 | 3 |
| Principal Ensemble | 1 | |
| Applied 300 | 2 | |
| MUS 412 | Jazz Pedagogy and Conducting | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MUS 100 | Applied Music Laboratory | 0 |
| MUSP 325 | Music Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MUS 332 | Jazz Improvisation IV | 2 |
| MUS 361 | Music History Since 1900 | 3 |
| Music Elective | 2 | |
| Non-Music Elective | 3 | |
| Principal Ensemble | 1 | |
| Applied 300 | 2 | |
| MUSA 376 | Recital | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| MUS 100 | Applied Music Laboratory | 0 |
| MUS 323 | Jazz Arranging/Composing | 3 |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Principal Ensemble | 1 | |
| Applied 300 | 2 | |
| Non-Music Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MUS 100 | Applied Music Laboratory | 0 |
| MUSA 476 | Senior Recital | 0 |
| MUS 497 | Capstone Project in Music | 1 |
| Core II Social Science (M/I, WI) | 3 | |
| Non-Music Elective | 3 | |
| Principal Ensemble | 1 | |
| Applied 300 | 2 | |
| Non-Music Elective | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 121 | |