Department of Music
Music and UNR

Department of Music

Church Fine Arts / 226

University of Nevada, Reno

Reno, NV 89557-0049

Phone: (775) 784-6145
Fax: (775) 784-6896

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Music Home > Programs of Study > Bachelor of Music - Applied Music Major - Jazz & Improv

Bachelor of Music, Applied Music Major

Jazz & Improvisational Music

Degree Requirements

Students must successfully audition before the music faculty for entrance into the Bachelor of Music degree program with a major in applied music.

Click on the articles below for detailed information about the Bachelor of Music - Applied Music - Instrumental Performance degree:

I. University Core Curriculum (33 - 38 credits)
University Core Curriculum

All students must complete at least thirty-three credits from eight areas of study, generally outside their chosen major. The eight areas are: English, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Socials Sciences, Fine Arts, Core Humanities, Capstone courses and Diversity courses. Faculty advisors are equipped to help answer questions concerning Core Curriculum courses and requirements, and the best time to solicit advice is each semester before registering for classes.

  • English--3-8 credits
    • Refer to the "English" section of the Core Curriculum Web site.
    • NOTE : Students who place in ENG 102 are not required to complete ENG 101.
  • Mathematics--3-6 credits
    • Refer to the "Mathematics" section of the Core Curriculum Web site. (3-6 credits)
  • Natural Sciences--6-8 credits
    • Refer to the "Natural Sciences" section of the Core Curriculum Web site. (6-8 credits)
  • Social Sciences--3 credits
    • Refer to the "Social Sciences" section of the Core Curriculum Web site. (3 credits)
  • Fine Arts
    • NOTE: Music majors will automatically satisfy the Fine Arts requirement by taking required music courses.
  • Core Humanities--9 credits
    • CH 201--Ancient and Medieval Cultures (3 credits)
    • CH 202--The Modern World (3 credits)
    • CH 203--American Experience and Constitutional Change (3 credits)
  • Capstone Courses--6 credits
    • Refer to the "Capstone" section of the Core Curriculum Web site. (6 credits)
  • Diversity--3 credits
    • Refer to the "Diversity" section of the Core Curriculum Web site. (3 credits)
II. Foreign Language & Breadth Requirements (0 credits)

Applied music majors studying jazz emphasis are not required to fulfill the College of Liberal Arts foreign language, and breadth requirements.

III. Major Requirements Applied Jazz Specialization (84-88 credits)
  • Entrance Audition - required
  • MUS 100--Concert Attendance (0 credits) - Development of listening skills through attendance at musical events: music department concerts, master classes, approved community events. This is a repeated course. Must complete eight semesters.
  • Applied Individual Instruction (8-10 credits)
    1. Music credits must be on a single instrument.
    2. Jazz majors should enroll for two credits of applied instruction each semester.
    3. Jazz keyboard majors must enroll for two credits of classically oriented piano lessons in addition to the eight credits of applied jazz piano.
  • 300-Level Applied Individual Instruction (8 credits)
    1. Upper division audition required.
    2. Applied music credits must be on a single instrument.
    3. Jazz majors should enroll for two credits of applied instruction each semester. 
  • Junior Recital (0 credits)
  • Senior Recital (0 credits)
    1. MUS 499--Senior Recital: Full Applied Recital (0 credits)
  • Piano/Keyboard requirement (4 credits)
    1. (Keyboard majors are exempt from this requirement.)
    2. * MUS 109R - Functional Piano I - Class instruction for students with limited or no keyboard experience. (1 credit)
    3. * MUS 110R - Functional Piano II - Class instruction for students with limited or no keyboard experience. (1 credit)
      MUS 255 - Jazz Keyboard Techniques I - Classroom instruction in rudimentary keyboard chord voicing, comping and soloing in the jazz style. (Prerequisite: MRS 110R) (1 credit)
    4. MUS 256 - Jazz Keyboard Techniques II - Classroom instruction in rudimentary keyboard chord voicing, comping and soloing in the jazz style. (Prerequisite: MRS 225) (1 credit each)
      *Students may substitute up to two credits of MUS 129 - -Piano: Lower Division Applied Music Instruction.for MUS 109R & MUS 110R at their advisor's discretion.
  • Piano Competency (0 credits)
  • Major Ensemble (8 credits)
    1. Two (2) credits must be outside of Jazz Lab Band.
  • Secondary Ensemble (6-8 credits)
    1. Non-keyboardists must take at least six (6) credits and keyboardists must take at least eight (8) credits of:
    2. MUSE 133 - Jazz Combo - Performing ensemble emphasizing improvisation in a small group context
    3. AND
    4. MUSE 433 - Jazz Combo - Performing ensemble emphasizing improvisation in a small group context.
  • Music History (3 credits)
    1. Select ONE of the following:
      MUS 341 - Music History I - Survey of Western music: ancient Greece through early Beethoven.(3 credits)
    2. OR
      MUS 425 - Film Music       - Interdisciplinary study of film music, focusing on the various functions of different kinds of music used on soundtracks. (Prerequisites: ENG 102; CH 201; junior or senior standing.) (3 credits)
    3. OR
      MUS 431 - World Music - Music and human culture focusing on non-Core Humanities. Representative societies explored. Field study, music-making projects, performance analysis required. (General Capstone and Diversity course.) (Prerequisites: MUS 121 or MUS 342; CH 201; ENG 102; junior or senior standing.) (3 credits)
  • Music Core Courses (25 credits)
    1. MUS 203R - Music Theory I - Counterpoint and harmony (written and keyboard). (3 credits)
    2. MUS 204R - Music Theory II - Counterpoint and harmony (written and keyboard). (3 credits)
      MUS 211 - Sight Singing and Dictation I - Solfege and dictation, rhythmic and melodic.(1 credit)
    3. MUS 212 - Sight Singing and Dictation II - Solfege and dictation, rhythmic and melodic.(1 credit)
      MUS 233 - Recording Techniques and Midi I - Electronic music, analog and digital. Includes techniques of electro-acoustical recording (tape and computer sequencing).(2 credits)
    4. MUS 234 - Recording Techniques and Midi II - Advanced musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) applications in computer sequencing with analog tape recording; includes computer sequencing, synthesizer programming effects. (Prerequisite: MUS 233) (2 credits each)
      MUS 300--Continuation Exam - Comprehensive exam covering the final two semesters of theory and sight-singing; written theory and oral ear-training.(0 credits)
      MUS 301 - Music Theory III - Continuation of MUS 203-204, including study of diatonic and chromatic harmony. (Prerequisites: MUS 203 R; MUS 204 R) (3 credits)
    5. MUS 302 - Music Theory IV - Continuation of MUS 203-204, including study of diatonic and chromatic harmony. (Prerequisite: MUS 301) (3 credits)
      MUS 311R - Sight-Singing and Dictation III - Advanced solfege and dictation, rhythmic and melodic. (Prerequisite: MUS 212) (1 credit)
    6. MUS 312R - Sight-Singing and Dictation IV - Advanced solfege and dictation, rhythmic and melodic. (Prerequisite: MUS 311R) (1 credit each)
    7. MUS 342--Music History II - Survey of Western Art Music from late Beethoven to the present. (Prerequisite: MUS 204R.) (3 credits)
    8. MUS 362--Beginning Conducting - Introduction to conducting; developing skills to convey musical ideas through gestures. (Prerequisite: MUS 300) (2 credits)
  • Jazz Core Courses (22 credits)
    1. MUS 122R - Survey of Jazz - Chronological study of jazz music and musicians with emphasis on directed listening. (3 credits)
      MUS 217 - Jazz Rhythm Theory - Exploration of various rhythmic components of jazz music. Lecture/demonstrations will focus on African American, Sub-Saharan African, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Balkan music cultures. (1 credit)
      MUS 253 - Jazz Improv I - Performance-oriented study of the basic techniques of improvisation in the jazz idiom. (Prerequisite: MUS 204R.) (2 credits)
      MUS 254 - Jazz Improv II - Performance-oriented study of the basic techniques of improvisation in the jazz idiom. (Prerequisite: MUS 253) (2 credits)
      MUS 353R - Jazz Improv III - Performance-oriented study of intermediate-to-advanced techniques of improvisation in the jazz idiom. (Prerequisite: MUS 254) (2 credits)
      MUS 354R - Jazz Improv IV - Performance-oriented study of intermediate-to-advanced techniques of improvisation in the jazz idiom. (Prerequisite: MUS 353R) (2 credits)
      MUS 355R - Jazz Arranging I - Analysis of the jazz harmonic idiom as applied to small group and big band jazz. (Prerequisites: MUS 254 or MUS 256) (2 credits)
      MUS 356 - Jazz Arranging II - Analysis of the jazz harmonic idiom as applied to small group and big band jazz. (Prerequisite: MUS 355R) (2 credits)
      MUS 410R - Jazz Composition - Applied study of original writing in the jazz idiom. Exploration of melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, and formal principles. Analysis of works by influential composers. (Prerequisites: MUS 254; MUS 256) (3 credits)
      MUS 432 - Jazz Cultures - An exploration of the genre’s cultural and musical history. (Prerequisites: MUS122; MUS 254) (3 credits)
IV. Minor Requirements (0 credits)

A minor is not required for the Bachelor of Music degree program.

V. Electives (0 - 12 credits)

Use electives to help round out your education while bringing your total credit number to the required total. Remember that 42 or more credits must be from courses numbered 300 or above.

VI. Total Credits (128 - 138 credits)

A candidate for a bachelor's degree must earn a minimum of 128 credits, 42 or more of which must be in courses numbered 300 or above.

 

For degree requirements from prior years, consult the General Course Catalog.

Piano Proficiency

All Bachelor of Music students are required to pass a Piano Proficiency Examination. It is highly recommended that students complete this examination prior to their junior year. Bachelor of Music students are advised to begin work on piano proficiency during freshman year by enrolling in piano proficiency courses:

  • MUS 109 - Functional Piano
  • MUS 110 - Functional Piano
  • MUS 209 - Functional Piano
  • MUS 210 - Functional Piano

To pass the Piano Proficiency Examination, Bachelor of Music applied music students will be expected to know and perform the following piano skills:

  • The ability to play major and harmonic minor scales, two octaves through three sharps and flats.
  • The ability to transpose a melody.
  • Play a prepared piece of advanced level 4 or beginning level 5 difficulty as specified in the Magrath repertoire books. Check with a committee member for prior approval.
  • Play a prepared accompaniment to an instrumental solo. Check with a committee member for prior approval. The piece must be performed with the instrumental soloist.
    • Vocal Major - an aria or art-song accompaniment.
    • Instrumental Major - accompaniment to an instrumental solo.

Continuation Exam - MUS 300

All undergraduate music majors pursuing a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree must fulfill the Continuation Exam requirement before enrolling in upper-division theory or music education coursework. This comprehensive exam covers the final two semesters of both the theory and sight-singing sequences. It is strongly recommended students take the exam following the second year of study within their degree program. Exams will be offered each May and August. The Continuation Exam is divided into two equally weighted segments: written theory and oral ear-training sections.

Important NoteNOTE: Remember that the Continuation Exam must be passed and completed before enrolling in upper-division coursework. Students will have two opportunities to pass the Continuation Exam before official admittance into the chosen music degree program is denied.

Recital Requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree must present a junior and senior recital. Specific requirements depend upon the instrument. For specific information concerning Recital Requirements, follow the links below:

Important NoteNOTE: For all students entering the Bachelor of Music-Applied Music and the Bachelor of Music-Music Education degree programs, any grade of C- or lower in the coursework for the major must be repeated (courses may only be repeated once).

Suggested Courses

To help students get a sense of what the course load of a four year Bachelor of Music, Applied Music in Jazz & Improvisational Music program might look like, a suggested schedule is provided. It is highly recommended that students consult with their academic advisor for building an actual plan that best suits the student's particular interests For more information on the University Core Curriculum requirements, explore the following links: