Bachelor of Jazz Studies CU93

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Jazz Studies aims to provide training in jazz and improvised music performance and composition within a broad cultural context. Students develop performance skills through regular performances in workshops, concerts and professional performance engagements. Students gain academic skills from theory and history-focused classes. Music education and direction skills are developed through classes and tutorial and mentor work in conjunction with the Performers Academy.

The Jazz Department also has the opportunity to broaden students knowledge by being able to offer a number of professional ensembles that cover a range of contemporary and pop styles. This equips Jazz graduates with a broad range of skills in different but related genres.

On the completion of the course students will be expected to demonstrate:

• Performance, arrangement, composition and direction competencies in jazz related and contemporary styles and across the broad spectrum of industry and educational situations
• The confidence and ability to apply learned principles and technique to unfamiliar or developmental musical situations and to synthesise this into a working and experimental philosophy
• The ability to relate historical, theoretical and performance perspectives in given musical situations
• Practical knowledge of historical jazz and contemporary related styles and a well informed understanding of the current multi-stranded developmental aspects of improvised music
• A knowledge and practical understanding of the jazz and related repertoire
• The wide base of academic and musical knowledge necessary to place improvised music in correct and informed perspective
• Research ability and skills, particularly as they relate to jazz and other musical forms
• An indication of continually developing improvisational skills

Program Structure

The ability to utilise skills in educational and leadership contexts.

To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete 144 units of credit as outlined below.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Notes

• normal entry level for Musicianship is Musicianship 3
• exit level for Musicianship is Musicianship 8

Electives: please consult the list of electives in this Handbook. Selection of any of these courses are subject to certain conditions.

Note: Students must check to see when and where a course is offered before enrolling. See the course availability section in this handbook for details.