The Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies at Sacramento State University is designed to produce performers of unique versatility and flexibility. The program offers a balance of instruction in jazz performance, traditional concepts, and a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of music. The Jazz Studies Program at Sacramento State provides private instruction, classes and ensembles covering a wide range of musical styles. Music students who major in Jazz Studies at Sac State benefit from a program that not only prepares them for careers as professional performers, but also gives them the skills they need to adapt and succeed in a changing world. This program of study is available on Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums, and Voice. For current information regarding Sacramento State music admissions and audition requirements, please visit http://www.csus.edu/music/admissions
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
back to the top JAZZ COURSE DESCRIPTIONS MUSC 015 Jazz Piano Class MUSC 043A Jazz Theory and Improvisation I MUSC 043B Jazz Theory and Improvisation II MUSC 50 Jazz Applied: Intermediate - Lower Division Lessons MUSC 150 Jazz Applied: Advanced - Upper Division Lessons MUSC 108A Jazz Arranging I MUSC 108B Jazz Arranging II MUSC 118B American Popular Music: Jazz History MUSC 140 Jazz Styles and Analysis MUSC 143J or MUSC 143V Instrumental & Vocal Jazz Ensembles MUSC 144I Jazz Combos MUSC 161 Jazz Pedagogy MUSC 185J Senior Recital SUGGESTED FOUR YEAR DEGREE PLAN
back to the top ENTRANCE AUDITIONS Admission to the Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies may be granted to a limited number of students upon successful completion of an entrance audition. Prior to scheduling a music entrance audition, students must first be admitted to the University. The Jazz Studies degree program is open to the following disciplines: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, bass, guitar, drums, and voice. For detailed information on University admission and scheduling of requirements, students should visit: www.csus.edu/music/admissions. For information regarding the Jazz Studies entrance audition, please visit the Auditions link within the Jazz Studies web site. www.csus.edu/music/jazz
MUSIC THEORY & PIANO PLACEMENT EXAMS Prior to registering for music classes, students must first take the Theory and Piano Placement Exams. Placement examinations are given prior to your orientation and advising. These examinations are only given to measure your background in this subject and to help the faculty place you into a level of study in which you can succeed. Study and review may be helpful, especially for students transferring from other colleges, but it is not necessary. There are four levels of theory placement exams. Each placement exam is divided into two parts: harmony or written theory and aural theory or ear training. Your background in music theory will determine the exam you need to take. The piano placement exam is designed to assign you in a class piano level based on a careful assessment of your current ability level. In your placement evaluation we will assess your current knowledge of and ability to do the following: 1) Major and minor scales, 2) Chord progressions, 3) Melodic transposition, and 4) Sight reading. At the time of your piano placement we will also do a brief evaluation of your aural skills. This, along with the aural portion of your theory placement exam, will provide us with an additional, more individual picture of your needs. This evaluation will cover interval identification, sight singing, and rhythm reading. Please Don't Stress! We are aware that placement exams can be stressful for new students, however there is no pressure on you in taking these exams. Our only desire is to get an accurate view of your background in music theory and piano and to help you profit from your experience at Sacramento State. A list of recommended study materials, dates and times in which exams are administered, and other information regarding the theory and piano placement exams can be found at: http://www.csus.edu/music/admissions/placement.htm.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE PLACEMENT Prior to registering for Jazz Ensembles (MUSC 143J or MUSC 143V), or Jazz Combos (MUSC 144I), students must first perform a placement audition. Auditions for ensembles are held during the first week of classes. For specific times and locations, contact Steve Roach for instrumental ensembles, or Kerry Marsh for vocal ensembles.
LARGE PERFORMING ENSEMBLE REQUIREMENT - MUSC 142 All Jazz Majors must enroll in a traditional Large Performing Ensemble (LPE) each semester until they reach their Junior year. Students can elect to enroll in either Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Orchestra, Marching Band, or Choir to satisfy this requirement. Participation in these ensembles is determined by audition only. Ensemble auditions take place at the beginning of each semester. Please contact the particular ensemble director for specific dates and times of these auditions. Once the jazz major reaches the Junior year, they must enroll in a Jazz LPE until the Senior Recital is completed. Jazz LPE's consist of MUSC 143J (Jazz Ensemble), or MUSC 143V (Vocal Jazz Ensemble).
PERFORMANCE JURIES JAZZ STUDIES PERFORMANCE JURIES All jazz majors enrolled in applied performance courses for credit must take jury examinations. The performance jury is the final examination in applied music for the student's major instrument or voice. Juries are held at the end of each semester of study and are required until the Senior Recital is completed. The jury is ten minutes in length, except for the Jazz Studies Recital Hearing, which is twenty minutes in duration. The jury panel may include instructors from the jazz studies and classical applied concentrations. The jury provides the student with regular evaluation of his/her performance ability by faculty in addition to his/her major professor, as well as giving the student experience in performance. Students not accomplishing minimum requirements for the semester will remain at their current applied level. Music to be used on the jury should be decided early during each semester in consultation with the applied jazz instructor. Before performing a jury, music students must fill out a Jury Form. Forms and information regarding Jury Schedules are available at: www.csus.edu/music/admissions
back to the top JAZZ STUDIES RESOURCES & FACILITIES FACILITIES All music classes are held in the Music Building (Capistrano Hall). Most faculty and staff offices, performance areas, and ensemble rehearsal rooms are located on the first floor. Classrooms are on the second and third floors; practice rooms are located on the fourth floor. JAZZ RECORDINGS The main library at Sacramento State has over 3500 jazz recordings in their collection. Jazz majors and university students are granted access to these recordings. For a complete list of current recordings available - click here. JAZZ STUDIES CLASSROOM - Room 303 Room 303 is the designated jazz studies classroom. Most jazz classes and small group rehearsals will take place in this multi-purpose room. The room is equipped with a drum set, baby grand piano, and amplifiers for bass and guitar players. PLAY-A-LONG CD / MIDI PRACTICE ROOM - Room 305 Room 305 is the designated practice room for jazz majors. The room is equipped with a single computer station that holds an extensive jazz play-a-long recording and lead sheet collection. There is also a midi keyboard connected to the computer station. Students can use this multi-purpose room for personal practice, or to work on projects using Finale, Band-in-a-Box, or MIDI. Only jazz majors will be granted access to this room. Entrance to room 305 is through a punch-code lock system. Codes for the room will be issued to jazz majors at the beginning of each semester through Glenn Disney, room 121. DRUM SET PRACTICE ROOM - Room 307 Room 307 is a designated practice room for drum set majors. The room is equipped with a 5-piece drum set and appropriate hardware. Students must provide their own cymbals. Only jazz drum set majors are granted access to this room. Keys for room 307 will be issued at the beginning of each semester through Glenn Disney, room 121. RECORDING STUDIO The Sac State music department has recorded Down Beat Magazine Award-winning CD's using its own in-house digital recording studio. The studio is based around a Tascam FW-1884 Digital Recording Console, and Digital Performer, E-Magic Logic, and Pro-Tools are all available on a Macintosh Dual-Core G5 computer for audio tracking, MIDI sequencing, editing, mixing, and mastering professional quality recordings of our student musicians and ensembles.
GENERAL INFORMATION CONCERT ATTENDANCE Music majors are required to attend a minimum of 10 concerts and/or recitals each semester in which you are enrolled in applied lessons. MUSC 100, Concert Attendance, meets this requirement. Students are not required to enroll in MUSC 100, however, students are responsible for completing the requirements of attending the 10 concerts and abiding by the course syllabus guidelines. Each student will be required to attend a minimum of ten concerts approved by the Music Department and submit a portfolio of programs attended. Written reviews are required for a determined number of the ten concerts attended. Concert Attendance forms are available in the wooden hallway rack opposite the bank of lockers by the first floor elevator. Students must pick up this form at the beginning of each semester. Students must read the front and back of the Concert Attendance form completely. The Concert Attendance form is self-explanatory. If a student still has questions after completely reading both sides of the form, then they may go to the Department offices, Rooms 103, or 105 and get clarification. Students will need a 9x12 manila envelope in which to create their Concert Attendance packet. The packets are to be turned in no sooner than the Monday of Finals Week. Students lose one letter grade for each day the packet is late. Thursday of Finals Week is the last day packets will be accepted. MUSIC SERVICE FEE CARD All students enrolled in music classes (except Music 18, 39, 118, 119, 127, and 129) must purchase Music Service Fee Cards each semester. To obtain a Music Service Fee Card, fill out the blue form (available in Room 133, Room 135, and on the display rack in the main lobby of the music building) and follow the directions on the back of the form. LOCKERS Lockers for books and/or instruments are available to Music Service Fee Card holders and are located on the first floor of the Music Building. The Events Manager (Room 121) will assign you a locker. Lockers may be renewed from fall to spring, as long as you still have a current Music Service Fee Card. All lockers are cleared out each summer, and their combinations are changed for the fall. Lockers can be checked out again beginning in mid-August. INSTRUMENT CHECKOUT Instruments are issued for use in specific classes in which the student is officially registered. An official authorization for the issue of an instrument or equipment must be provided by the instructor of the class or faculty member, and a $40 Music Service Fee Card must be purchased. Authorization and Music Service Fee Card forms are available at the Instrument Repair Office, Room 133. All instruments and equipment are to be turned in on or before the contract expiration date. The contract signed by the student when the instrument is issued is considered legal and binding. The student will be billed for the cost of repair for damage incurred and agrees to fully reimburse the University if an instrument is lost, stolen, or damaged. For further information on instrument use, please see Baldwin Wong in Room 133. If an instrument is not returned by the contracted date, an academic hold on grades and transcripts will be placed on the student's records.
SENIOR JAZZ RECITAL A formal recital demonstrating the performance abilities of the student is required of all majors completing the Bachelor's Degree of Music in Jazz Studies. Students must receive permission from the Director of Jazz Studies and their private applied instructor in order to enroll. Please note: JAZZ MAJORS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ RECITALS. Attendance will be taken! PREREQUISITES Ordinarily, students will have successfully completed the two semesters of Jazz Theory and Improvisation (MUSC 43A & 43B) and the appropriate applied juries prior to registering for the Senior Jazz Recital. JAZZ STUDIES RECITAL HEARING In order to be approved for public performance, students must first receive a satisfactory evaluation by members of the jazz studies faculty by presenting a recital hearing. The recital hearing will take the place of the standard end-of-the-semester jury and will last twenty minutes in duration. Students should plan on presenting several of the songs proposed for their recital program, including at least one original composition or arrangement. Students must schedule their recital hearing in the semester that precedes the anticipated recital date. On the basis of the hearing the faculty may elect to approve or disapprove the recital for presentation. Please consult with your applied teacher for guidance in the planning and preparation of the recital hearing. JAZZ STUDIES RECITAL REQUIREMENTS All jazz studies degree candidates must present a full recital in either the fall or spring semester of their senior year. This recital should contain 50-60 minutes of music. An intermission is permitted but not required. Students must study with their jazz applied teacher in the semester of the recital and confer with their instructor about the content and programming of the recital repertoire. Recital material must be approved by the coordinators of the jazz studies program in consultation with your applied jazz teacher. The recital should reflect all aspects of the students' consummate development, such as improvisation, composition and arranging, ensemble playing, leadership, programming, instrumental / vocal ability, stylistic versatility, and the ability to select and organize assisting players. The jazz recital should be approached primarily as a solo recital, focusing on a single player rather than as an ensemble recital (this approach may be varied somewhat in the case of bassists and drummers, since their function as members of the rhythm section carries considerable responsibility). Under no circumstances should the recital be approached in the manner of a loosely organized jam session. Brief solos by supporting members may be included, but they must not dilute the overall effect of a solo recital. The assisting players will generally comprise a small group (rhythm section plus optional horns), but a variety in this respect, such as unaccompanied solos, duos, trios, or even large ensemble selections is encouraged. Original compositions and arrangements by the student presenting the recital are most appropriate. The program may include some classical literature if the student's background and training seems to dictate that it would be appropriate. Students must arrange a rehearsal, recital date and time that is convenient for their applied teacher to attend. Students are responsible for reserving the venue and equipment needed, securing the musicians who will accompany them, and submitting the program information in a timely manner. Detailed information including important deadlines can be found in the ÒStudent Recital PacketÓ, available from Glenn Disney, Events Manager, located in room 121. Students should plan on picking up this packet during the first week of classes in the semester that they plan to perform the recital. JAZZ RECITAL - COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. Performance
2. Composition and Arranging
3. Organization & Leadership Skills
4. Good Programming 5. Publicizing & Promotion EVALUATION The applied teacher is responsible for grading the student. The grade should reflect the student's success at achieving the course objectives and requirements listed above. RECITAL PROGRAM INFORMATION Students must provide accurate information for the recital program. This includes accurate spelling of composers and/or arranger's names, dates of the composer's birth and death, and any other pertinent information related to the selected repertoire. Students may also choose to include short biographical sketches on composers but it is not required. (Refer to the Student Recital Packet for information on recital program submission and content) RECORDING THE RECITAL Students are responsible for recording the recital. A final compact disc recording, and a copy of the recital program must be submitted to the Director of Jazz Studies one week after the performance. (Refer to the Student Recital Packet for information on recital recording policies) RECITAL CHECK LIST
back to the top JAZZ STUDIES SENIOR PROJECTS DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE STUDENT MUSIC AWARDS APPLICATION By December 31st of the senior year, all jazz studies candidates are required to submit an application and compact disc recording (a minimum of 10 minutes or 3 selections) for the Jazz Soloist category in the annual Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards. Students should consult with the applied jazz studio teacher in order to determine the proper repertoire for the recorded submission. Please refer to the Downbeat Magazine application for details and deadlines. Other categories such as blues/pop/rock soloist, small group, original songs and arrangements can be considered as well. To download an application, go to: www.downbeat.com. ASSEMBLY OF SELF-PROMOTIONAL CD AND/OR WEBSITE Over the course of the candidate's final two years in the degree program, a media project containing recordings of the student's performances must be assembled. Students may choose to (1) create a self-promotional demo recording of their performances on compact disc, and/or (2) develop a self-promotional website containing audio files of the students' performances. Both projects must include 30-60 minutes of recorded performances by the candidate. The candidate, the Director of Jazz Studies, and the applied jazz studio teacher will choose media project material jointly. The selected project(s) must be presented to the Director of Jazz Studies no later than the conclusion of the final term of study.
Perspectives on Being a Jazz Major "The Teaching of Jazz" Amidst countless distractions, it is difficult to retain one's perspective with regard to being a student in a university degree program. For starters, you are here to learn, so make a firm commitment to all of your courses. Be punctual, give each class or rehearsal your full attention, submit all assignments on time, study consistently, and let nothing deter you from the successful completion of each and every course. If your schedule seems overwhelming, organize your time so you can cope with it. If you get "burnt-out" with being a student and feel you must at least have a break in the action, try to anticipate your needs, so that you complete the term you are in at the time, in a graceful way. It will serve no purpose to simply "flake" in the middle of a term Ð to the contrary, you may find that you have burned your bridges, foregoing the option to return at will. If you decide to take a "breather" from school, be sure that you really need and deserve it, and that you make good use of the time while you are away. Respect your teachers. They're obviously not in their activity for money, fame, or even your gratitude. They're in it because they believe in education, creativity, and YOU! Respect the cost of your education, regardless of whether it is paid for by you, your family, or the school. The monetary cost, even at an inexpensive school like this one, is one of the largest investments that will be made in your behalf for the remainder of your life. Don't blow it! Finally, remember always that your future is already being shaped by your present actions. Your adult life is already underway, like it or not, so that your present behavior is already affecting your future, for better or worse. Your effectiveness as a musician and your reliability as a person are already affecting whether or not you are recommended for playing gigs, graduate assistantships, composing/arranging assignments, and teaching positions. The game of life requires that we make accurate, honest assessments of people we recommend for anything. Otherwise we lose our credibility, people don't call on us anymore for recommendations, and countless opportunities are lost for others. Your future is now!
ORIENTATION FOR JAZZ MAJORS Welcome to the Jazz Studies Program at Sacramento State University. As you expect a certain level of commitment from your teachers and jazz faculty, please understand that we expect a certain level of commitment from you as well. What comprises this commitment?
Please Note: If the foregoing list of commitments overwhelms you, then perhaps the jazz program, your development as a creative player, and your ensuing career is also too much for you. Perhaps you should look for something less challenging in which to major. This is a good program and it is joyously creative. But anyone who tells you that it is going to be easy - is ignorant of the facts. Be prepared to work hard and to be challenged by many rewarding experiences throughout your studies at Sacramento State! Stay focused and be present - and good things will come your way! WHAT IS JAZZ?
back to the top REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A GOOD JAZZ IMPROVISER
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||