Apr 23, 2025  
Fall 2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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Fall 2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Jazz Music
Department of Music, College of Arts and Sciences
 
Chair: Christina Dahl
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Deborah Heckert
Undergraduate Secretary: Germaine Berry
 
Office: 3304 Staller Center for the Arts
Phone: (631) 632-7330

Department Website

The minor in Jazz studies is designed to provide undergraduate students with a foundation in music theory and history that incorporates a jazz perspective in addition to the opportunity to perform in a jazz ensemble. It is particularly well-suited to students interested in developing their skills as jazz musicians while pursuing a broader education in music history and theory. Coursework includes an introduction to the study of music, courses in improvisation, music theory, the history of jazz, two semesters performing in a jazz ensemble, and a choice of courses on specialized topics, including American music, popular music, and musics of other western and non-western traditions.

Minor Requirements

All courses offered for the minor in Jazz Studies must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher. At least 3 credits from Requirement 2 in either track must be at the upper division level. Completion of the minor requires 21 credits.

The minor is designed for students who are interested in jazz but who do not seek training in more sophisticated aspects of music theory and musicianship.

Theory:

Notes:

Students well versed in music notation and basic theory (demonstrated by the MUS 119  challenge examination) should take MUS 130 - Sound Structures 

History:

And one of the following:

Performance:

Six semesters (6 credits) in any combination of the following courses:

Notes:

Students must audition to be accepted to MUS 189 , MUS 264 , and MUS 267 .

If a Music major wants to also do a minor in Jazz he/she must undertake a relevant independent project under faculty supervision, taken as a 3 credit MUS 487 - Independent Project .