May 08, 2024

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Jazz and Commercial Music (B.M.)

Matthew Niess, Associate Professor of Music
Armstrong Hall, Room 18-C, (540) 665-4557, mniess@su.edu

The Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Commercial Music curriculum prepares students for the broad field of contemporary music which includes jazz, commercial, classical and studio music. The program blends the study of performance, entrepreneurism, production and arranging within a collaborative environment. Our philosophy is grounded in the belief that 21st-century artists work in a variety of settings where performance, entrepreneurism and versatility are the components of a successful career.

Program Outcomes

Students completing the Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Commercial Music program will be able to:

design, develop and complete collaborative projects appropriate to their discipline and career goals;
perform, arrange and/or compose in a variety of contemporary styles including jazz and other related styles; and
demonstrate entrepreneurial and technological skills required of the jazz and commercial music artist.

Course and Credit Requirements

Jazz Applied Emphasis available in Bass (Acoustic and Electric), Guitar, Percussion, Piano, Saxophone, Trombone and Trumpet.

1st Year – Fall

APJ* 103 Applied Jazz Major Credit(s): 3 *
AP** 101 Applied**** Credit(s): 1.5
APCP 105 Basic Piano and Keyboard Harmony Skills I Credit(s): 1.5 ^
or
APAC 101 Applied Accompanying Credit(s): 1.5 (jazz piano majors only)
BA 112 Mind of the Entrepreneur Credit(s): 3
CONS 105 ShenCommunity Credit(s): .5
MUEN Ensemble Credit(s): 2
MUPP 307 Performance Seminar: Jazz and Commercial Music Credit(s): .5
MUPR 111 Critical Listening Credit(s): 1
MUTC 140 Jazz Foundations Credit(s): 2 *
FYS 101 Going Global First-Year Seminar Credit(s): 3

Total: 18 credits

1st Year – Spring

APJ* 103 Applied Jazz Major Credit(s): 3 *
AP** 101 Applied**** Credit(s): 1.5
APCP 106 Basic Piano and Keyboard Harmony Skills II Credit(s): 1.5
or
APAC 101 Applied Accompanying Credit(s): 1.5 (jazz piano majors only)
CONS 105 ShenCommunity Credit(s): .5
MUEN Ensemble Credit(s): 2
MUPP 220 The Performer in the 21st Century Credit(s): 1
MUPP 245 Jazz Improvisation and Repertoire Forum Credit(s): 2 *
MUPP 307 Performance Seminar: Jazz and Commercial Music Credit(s): .5
Quantitative Literacy Region Elective Credit(s): 3
Open Elective(s) Credit(s): 2

Jazz Ensemble Elective

Select from:

MUEN 353 Pit Orchestra Credit(s): 1
MUEN 356 Little Big Band Credit(s): 1
MUEN 371 Jazz Combo Ensemble Credit(s): 1
MUEN 375 Jazz Combo Laboratory Credit(s): 1

Total: 18 credits

2nd Year – Fall

APJ* 203 Applied Jazz Major Credit(s): 3 *
AP** 201 Applied**** Credit(s): 1.5
CONS 105 ShenCommunity Credit(s): .5
MUEN Ensemble Credit(s): 2
MULT 277 Jazz History Credit(s): 3 ^(ALT) (Creative Expression Sphere)
or
MUPR 351 MIDI and Electronic Music Synthesis Credit(s): 3
MUPP 221 The Entrepreneurial Artist Credit(s): 3 (Oral and Communicative Literacies Region)
MUPP 245 Jazz Improvisation and Repertoire Forum Credit(s): 2 *
MUPP 307 Performance Seminar: Jazz and Commercial Music Credit(s): .5
MUTC 413 Jazz Arranging and Composition Credit(s): 2 * ^(ALT)
or
Open Conservatory Elective(s) Credit(s): 2 (may include any music, theatre or dance courses where prerequisites have been met; may not include applied study)

Jazz Ensemble Elective

Select from:

MUEN 353 Pit Orchestra Credit(s): 1
MUEN 356 Little Big Band Credit(s): 1
MUEN 371 Jazz Combo Ensemble Credit(s): 1
MUEN 375 Jazz Combo Laboratory Credit(s): 1

Total: 18.5 credits

2nd Year – Spring

APJ* 203 Applied Jazz Major Credit(s): 3 *
AP** 201 Applied**** Credit(s): 1.5
CONS 105 ShenCommunity Credit(s): .5
MUEN Ensemble Credit(s): 2
MUPP 210 Movement for Musicians Credit(s): 1
MUPP 245 Jazz Improvisation and Repertoire Forum Credit(s): 2 *
MUPP 307 Performance Seminar: Jazz and Commercial Music Credit(s): .5
MUPP 341 Half Recital Credit(s): 1 *
Cultural Understanding Elective Credit(s): 3
Open Elective(s) Credit(s): 3

Jazz Ensemble Elective

Select from:

MUEN 353 Pit Orchestra Credit(s): 1
MUEN 356 Little Big Band Credit(s): 1
MUEN 371 Jazz Combo Ensemble Credit(s): 1
MUEN 375 Jazz Combo Laboratory Credit(s): 1

Total: 18.5 credits

3rd Year – Fall

APJ* 303 Applied Jazz Major Credit(s): 3 *
APFL 101 Applied Flute Credit(s): 1.5 * (jazz saxophone majors only)
or
APJZ 101 Applied Jazz Study Credit(s): 1.5 * (all other jazz majors)
CMED 301 Musical Genre Bending Credit(s): 3
MUEN Ensemble Credit(s): 2
MULT 277 Jazz History Credit(s): 3 ^(ALT)(Creative Expression Sphere)
or
MUPR 351 MIDI and Electronic Music Synthesis Credit(s): 3
MUPP 245 Jazz Improvisation and Repertoire Forum Credit(s): 2 *
MUPP 307 Performance Seminar: Jazz and Commercial Music Credit(s): .5
MUTC 413 Jazz Arranging and Composition Credit(s): 2 * ^(ALT)
or
Open Conservatory Elective(s) Credit(s): 2 (may include any music, theatre or dance courses where prerequisites have been met; may not include applied study)

Jazz Ensemble Elective

Select from:

MUEN 353 Pit Orchestra Credit(s): 1
MUEN 356 Little Big Band Credit(s): 1
MUEN 371 Jazz Combo Ensemble Credit(s): 1
MUEN 375 Jazz Combo Laboratory Credit(s): 1

Total: 18 credits

3rd Year – Spring

APJ* 303 Applied Jazz Major Credit(s): 3 *
APCL 101 Applied Clarinet Credit(s): 1.5 * (jazz saxophone majors only)
or
APJZ 101 Applied Jazz Study Credit(s): 1.5 * (all other jazz majors)
MUEN Ensemble Credit(s): 2
MUPP 307 Performance Seminar: Jazz and Commercial Music Credit(s): .5
MUPP 445 Senior Performance Recital Project Credit(s): 2 *
Natural Sciences Region Elective Credit(s): 3
Social and Behavioral Science Region Elective Credit(s): 3
Open Elective(s) Credit(s): 2

Jazz Ensemble Elective

Select from:

MUEN 353 Pit Orchestra Credit(s): 1
MUEN 356 Little Big Band Credit(s): 1
MUEN 371 Jazz Combo Ensemble Credit(s): 1
MUEN 375 Jazz Combo Laboratory Credit(s): 1

Total: 18 credits

J-Terms or Summer Terms

ENG 101 Composition Credit(s): 3 (Oral and Communicative Literacies Region)
Ethical Reasoning Elective Credit(s): 3
ShenEd Elective Credit(s): 3 (select from any sphere)

Total: 9 credits

Summer Term

MUPP 498 Internship Credit(s): 1-3 *

Total: 2 credits

Degree Total: 120 credits

*Minimum grade of “C” required.

^Piano Proficiency Examination offered.

(ALT) Offered on alternating schedule; consult with advisor.

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Jazz and Commercial Music (B.M.)

Program Outcomes

Course and Credit Requirements

1st Year – Fall

Total: 18 credits

1st Year – Spring

Jazz Ensemble Elective

Total: 18 credits

2nd Year – Fall

Jazz Ensemble Elective

Total: 18.5 credits

2nd Year – Spring

Jazz Ensemble Elective

Total: 18.5 credits

3rd Year – Fall

Jazz Ensemble Elective

Total: 18 credits

3rd Year – Spring

Jazz Ensemble Elective

Total: 18 credits

J-Terms or Summer Terms

Total: 9 credits

Summer Term

Total: 2 credits

Degree Total: 120 credits