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Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies

Bachelor of Music — Jazz Studies

The Jazz Studies program offers comprehensive training to undergraduate and graduate students for careers in jazz performance, arranging and composition, education, and in the music industry. Staffed by a faculty of experienced and prominent artists/teachers, the major in Jazz Studies provides a BM degree with a concentration in either jazz performance or jazz composition. 

Applied instruction in jazz is provided in saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass and drums.

Course work includes jazz theory and composition, history and styles, improvisation, small and large group arranging, jazz pedagogy, jazz piano, applied study, and jazz ensembles. Music Education majors may elect a jazz instrument for their applied study. Students may also pursue a BA in Music with a jazz instrument and take jazz studies coursework. emphasis. 


Opportunities

  • Three big bands and five combos, each directed by a faculty member, anchor the ensemble offerings and are open to any university student by audition. The Ohio State Jazz Ensemble has performed throughout Ohio and the United States.
  • The jazz program hosts the annual 5-day Ohio State Jazz Festival. Festival guest artists and clinicians in recent years include John Fedchock, Carl Allen, Byron Stripling, Quamon Fowler, Quincy Davis, Xavier Davis, Bobby Floyd, Vincent Chandler, Rusty Burge, Donald Harrison, Kellin Hanas, Bobby Sparks, Derek Brown, Dan Wilson and others.
  • The jazz programs offers numerous outreach events for aspiring high school jazz musicians and high school jazz bands.
  • Students participate in regular master classes with School of Music jazz faculty in addition to visiting guest artists, often in connection with the Jazz Arts Group, Columbus.
  • Students benefit from a thriving, rich jazz community in Central Ohio.

Explore the appropriate curriculum information