06.02.08 MM – Major in Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media
Degree requirement checklist for MM in Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media
Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media – Performance (JCM)
Prerequisites: Candidates must demonstrate highly developed skills in improvisation, advanced knowledge of jazz theory, extensive experience in a small jazz-group setting, and at least two years of applied instruction on their primary instrument. Jazz writing majors must also have significant experience in jazz composition and arranging, plus some experience with non-jazz composition.
Upon entry to the program, master’s students take placement exams in music history, jazz theory, and functional jazz piano. If remediation is required, the appropriate courses are taken, but their credit does not count towards the master’s degree program of study. The same is true of any English language instruction that is required.
Placement tests: Entering jazz students will be given placement tests in music history, jazz theory, and functional jazz piano. Those students with deficiencies in these disciplines will be required to complete Music History Review (MHS 119); Jazz Theory and Ear Training, (JCM 119); and Functional Jazz piano (JCM 205-206). These credits are not included in the required credits for the degree.
Residency: At least one year of full-time study is required. See section 05.01 (Residency) for more information.
| Courses | Credits |
| Applied Music (JAZ 460A) – 4 semesters @ 4 credits each | 16 |
| JCM 451-452 (Jazz Performance Workshop – 1 credit per semester) | 4 |
| ENS 400J1 (Large Jazz Ensemble) formerly JCM 400 | 2 |
| MHS 414 (History of Jazz Styles) formerly JCM 441 (Advanced History and Analysis of Jazz Styles) | 3 |
| PED 405 (Descriptive & Analytical Writing in Jazz) | 1 |
| PED 406 (Graduate Jazz Pedagogy) formerly JCM 406 | 2 |
| JCM 491-492 (Jazz Forum) – 4 semesters | 0 |
| Electives2 | 6 |
| JCM 4563 (Advanced Performance Projects-Contemporary Media) | 0 |
| ESM 402 (Recital): The recital represents work the student and his or her major applied music teacher have done together through registrations for study both before and concurrent with the time of the recital presentation. | 0 |
| Remedial courses – Please refer to 05.03 Orientation, Placement Examinations, and Remediation. | – |
| Total Credits | 34 |
- The candidate must play in a large jazz ensemble every semester that he/she is in residence. After registering for 2 credits of ENS 400J, the student may opt to continue in ENS 400J and receive 1 credit per semester (up to a maximum of 4 credits), or register in ENS 401J for no credit.
- The student, in consultation with the advisor, will choose 6 additional hours of coursework depending on his/her background, needs, and interests. At least 2-3 hours of elective coursework must be from outside the JCM department. Elective courses must be numbered 200 or higher. Arts Leadership (ALC) courses do not count for elective credit unless cross-listed with another department. Neither primary nor secondary lessons maybe used as elective credit. Electives may include courses in music theory, composition, arranging, or other topics, as determined in consultation with the advisor.
- Recognizing that jazz musicians, in particular, must be entrepreneurial, the candidate will complete a contemporary media project that in the end will result in a CD, video, website, CD ROM or some other media related product that demonstrates the student’s talents and abilities, and could serve to help launch his/her career.
Requirements for degree completion: Normally two years will be needed to complete the coursework. Candidates will take a jury (jazz) during the first graduate year. The graduation recital (ESM 402) in the spring semester of the second year will include performance of written and improvised music that is determined by the student under the guidance of JCM faculty.
A performance emphasis of Lead/ Studio Trumpet is possible within the JCM degree. Because of the special skills required in this area, the candidate may elect to participate in orchestra, wind ensemble and chamber ensembles, in addition to the usual JCM course of study.
Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media – Writing (JCW)
Prerequisites: Eastman baccalaureate or equivalent; exceptional improvisational skills; extensive jazz small group experience; two years of applied instruction on primary instrument; advanced study in jazz theory and improvisation. One year of jazz composition/arranging one year of non-jazz composition recommended.
Placement tests: Entering jazz students will be given placement tests in the music history, jazz theory, and functional jazz piano. Those students with deficiencies in these disciplines will be required to complete Music History Review, (MHS 119); Jazz Theory and Ear Training, (JCM 119); and Functional Jazz piano (JCM 205-206). Those credits are not included in the required credit hours for the degree.
Residency: one year of full-time study required. See section 05.01 (Residency) for more information.
| Courses | Credits |
| JCM 485-486 (Advanced Writing Projects)– 4 semesters @ 3 credits each | 12 |
| JCM 225 (Jazz Composition & Arranging III) | 2 |
| JCM 451-452 (Jazz Performance Workshop – 1 credit per semester) | 2 |
| ENS 400J1 (Large Jazz Ensemble) formerly JCM 400 | 2 |
| MHS 414 (History of Jazz Styles) formerly JCM 441 (Advanced History and Analysis of Jazz Styles) | 3 |
| PED 406 (Graduate Jazz Pedagogy) formerly JCM 406 | 2 |
| JCM 491-492 (Jazz Forum) 4 semesters | 0 |
| Electives2 | 8 |
| JCM 4563 (Advanced Performance Projects-Contemporary Media) | 0 |
| ESM 402 (Recital): The recital represents work the student and his or her major applied music teacher have done together through registrations for study both before and concurrent with the time of the recital presentation. | 0 |
| Remedial courses – Please refer to 05.03 Orientation, Placement Examinations, and Remediation. | – |
| Total Credits | 31 |
- The student must play in a large jazz ensemble every semester that s/he is in residence. After registering for 2 credits of ENS 400J, the student may opt to continue in ENS 400J and receive 1 credit per semester (up to a maximum of 4 credits), or register in ENS 401J for no credit.
- The student, in consultation with the advisor, will choose 8 additional hours of coursework depending on his/her background, needs, and interests. At least 2-3 hours of elective coursework must be from outside the JCM department. Elective courses must be numbered 200 or higher. Arts Leadership (ALC) courses do not count for elective credit. Writing skills majors are encouraged to elect orchestration, composition for non-majors, woodwind/brass/percussion methodology, or advanced composition courses that will directly benefit their composing and arranging skills. Electives may include up to six (6) credits of applied music study.
- Recognizing that jazz musicians, in particular, must be entrepreneurial, the candidate will complete a contemporary media project that in the end will result in a CD, video, website, CD ROM or some other media related product that demonstrates the student’s talents and abilities, and could serve to help launch his/her career.
Requirements for degree completion: Normally two years will be needed to complete the coursework. Candidates will take a jury (jazz) during the first graduate year. The graduation recital in the spring semester of the second year will include performance of original works and arrangements created by the student under the guidance of the writing skills faculty.
