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Art, Design & Performing Arts Programs

Music – Jazz Studies Diploma

Note: VIU also offers a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies.

The Program

Students who have successfully completed the first two years (64 credits) of VIU’s new Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies will be eligible for a Diploma in Jazz Studies, or they can continue their studies and complete the degree. Students who enrolled in VIU’s Jazz Diploma program prior to September 2005 must re-audition to gain entrance to the third year of the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies degee program. The audition will assess the musicality of each student’s playing, will evaluate the technical proficiency they have developed on their instrument, and will include an ear training and theory exam.

The Jazz Studies program will foster the acquisition of professional skills in a variety of performance genres. It will offer hands-on experience of group music-making through ensembles and promote skills in the fields of: music performance and its study; musical theory and composition; library and Internet research; theoretical and applied keyboarding; theoretical and applied computer technology, multi-track recording and film scoring; theoretical and applied sound recording; techniques and practices fundamental to the music and entertainment industries; music history in general and jazz history in particular; and music as a business.

The program is modular in structure. Students select Music elective courses on the basis of their musical needs, progressing from course module to course module and from year to year. The structure offers students considerable choice and flexibility in fulfilling program requirements. It is supportive of the development of primary musical skills, but flexible and adaptable, and conducive to effective use of space and time.

The program includes an academic component that requires home assignments, self-discipline and good time management skills. Becoming an accomplished musician requires practice, and students should be prepared to work long hours practicing their music.

A free information session for prospective students is usually held in February. Check with the Advising Centre for more details, 250-740-6410, or visit viu.ca/infosessions.

Admission Requirements

  • General admission requirements apply.
  • English 12 with min. “C” for students planning to enrol in English 115, 125, or 135.
  • Successful audition to show musical competence or potential.

Notes on Admission

  • Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.

Start Date and Application Deadline

The program starts in September and applications are accepted anytime between November 15 and March 31. Late applications will be considered if space is available.

Special Expenses

In each year of the program, at least two courses are fulfilled on the basis of private tuition instruction only. This means that course requirements are met by study under the supervision of independent instructors—highly respected professionals in their fields—designated for the purpose by the department. Only upon certification by private tuition instructors that students have met appropriate requirements, in addition to end of semester juries, will students be given credit for the appropriate course at the appropriate level. The fees for these courses are set by the department.

Program Outline

Year 1 – Core Courses

Credits

MUSC 100 - (Intro. to Musical Theory I)

2

MUSC 101 - (Intro. to Musical Theory II)

2

MUSC 103 - (Basic Musicianship I)

1

MUSC 104 - (Basic Musicianship II)

1

MUSC 111 - (History of Music I)

3

MUSC 115 - (Survey of North American Music Styles I: 1619-1900)

2

MUSC 116 - (Survey of North American Music Styles II: 1900-Present)

2

MUSC 125 - (Computers and Music I)

2

MUSC 143 - (Keyboard Musicianship I)

2

MUSC 144 - (Keyboard Musicianship II)

2

MUSC 145 - (Private Music Instruction I)

2

MUSC 146 - (Private Music Instruction II)

2

MUSC 181 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation I)

2

MUSC 182 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation II)

2

The following ensemble and workshop courses are optional and may be taken in addition to those listed above:
MUSC 151 - (Choir I)
MUSC 152 - (Choir II)
MUSC 165 - (Saxophone Ensemble I)
MUSC 166 - (Saxophone Ensemble II)
MUSC 167 - (Trombone Ensemble I)
MUSC 168 - (Trombone Ensemble II)
MUSC 169 - (Small Chamber Ensemble I)
MUSC 170 - (Small Chamber Ensemble II)

Degree English Requirements

3

Voice, brass, woodwind, guitar, electric bass, and stand–up bass students must take four ensemble and workshop courses totalling four credits as listed below. *

4

Piano and drum students must take two ensemble and workshop courses of their choice totalling two credits from any of the courses listed below. **

2

Total Credits

32 – 34


*Voice, Brass, Woodwind, Guitar, Electric Bass, and Stand–Up Bass
Year 1 Options

Credits

Voice, brass, woodwind, guitar, electric bass, and stand–up bass students must take four ensemble and workshop courses totalling four credits as follows:

Voice students must take the following ensemble and workshop courses:
MUSC 155 - (Vocal Jazz I)
MUSC 156 - (Vocal Jazz II)
In addition, voice students must take two of the following courses:
MUSC 153 - (College Singers I)
MUSC 154 - (College Singers II)
MUSC 161 - (Chamber Choir I)
MUSC 162 - (Chamber Choir II)

4

Brass and woodwind students must take the following ensemble and workshop courses:
MUSC 163 - (Wind Ensemble I)
MUSC 164 - (Wind Ensemble II)
MUSC 173 - (Jazz Ensemble I)
MUSC 174 - (Jazz Ensemble II)

4

Guitar, electric bass, stand–up bass students must take the following ensemble courses, plus two other ensemble and workshop courses of their choice:
MUSC 171 - (Guitar Ensemble I)
MUSC 172 - (Guitar Ensemble II)

4

** Piano and Drum – Year 1 Options

Credits

Piano and drum students must take two ensemble and workshop courses of their choice totalling two credits from any of the courses listed below:

MUSC 153 - (College Singers I)
MUSC 154 - (College Singers II)
MUSC 155 - (Vocal Jazz I)
MUSC 156 - (Vocal Jazz II)
MUSC 161 - (Chamber Choir I)
MUSC 162 - (Chamber Choir II)
MUSC 163 - (Wind Ensemble I)
MUSC 164 - (Wind Ensemble II)
MUSC 171 - (Guitar Ensemble I)
MUSC 172 - (Guitar Ensemble II)
MUSC 173 - (Jazz Ensemble I)
MUSC 174 - (Jazz Ensemble II)

2

Year 2 – Core Courses

Credits

MUSC 107 - (Aural, Solfege and Conducting Skills I)

1

MUSC 108 - (Aural, Solfege and Conducting Skills II)

1

MUSC 121 - (Musical Theory I)

3

MUSC 122 - (Musical Theory II)

3

MUSC 211 - (History of Music II)

3

MUSC 243 - (Keyboard Musicianship III)

2

MUSC 244 - (Keyboard Musicianship IV)

2

MUSC 245 - (Private Music Instruction III)

2

MUSC 246 - (Private Music Instruction IV)

2

MUSC 281 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation III)

3

MUSC 282 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation IV)

3

MUSC 283 - (Jazz Workshop and Repertoire I)

1

MUSC 284 - (Jazz Workshop and Repertoire II)

1

The following ensemble and workshop courses are optional and may be taken in addition to those listed above:
MUSC 251 - (Choir III)
MUSC 252 - (Choir IV)
MUSC 265 - (Saxophone Ensemble III)
MUSC 266 - (Saxophone Ensemble IV)
MUSC 267 - (Trombone Ensemble III)
MUSC 268 - (Trombone Ensemble IV)
MUSC 269 - (Small Chamber Ensemble III)
MUSC 270 - (Small Chamber Ensemble IV)

Degree English Requirements

3

Voice, brass, woodwind, guitar, electric bass, and stand–up bass students must take four ensemble and workshop courses totalling four credits as listed below. *

4

Piano and drum students must take two ensemble and workshop courses of their choice totalling two credits from any of the courses listed below. **

2

Credits

32 – 34

*Voice, Brass, Woodwind, Guitar, Electric Bass, and Stand–Up Bass
Year 2 Options

Credits

Voice, brass, woodwind, guitar, electric bass, and stand–up bass students must take four ensemble and workshop courses totalling four credits as follows:

Voice students must take the following ensemble and workshop courses:
MUSC 255 - (Vocal Jazz III)
MUSC 256 - (Vocal Jazz IV)
In addition, voice students must take two of the following courses:
MUSC 253 - (College Singers III)
MUSC 254 - (College Singers IV)
MUSC 261 - (Chamber Choir III)
MUSC 262 - (Chamber Choir IV)

4

Brass and woodwind students must take the following ensemble and workshop courses:
MUSC 263 - (Wind Ensemble III)
MUSC 264 - (Wind Ensemble IV)
MUSC 273 - (Jazz Ensemble III)
MUSC 274 - (Jazz Ensemble IV)

4

Guitar, electric bass, stand–up bass students must take the following ensemble courses, plus two other ensemble and workshop courses of their choice:
MUSC 271 - (Advanced Guitar Ensemble I)
MUSC 272 - (Advanced Guitar Ensemble II)

4

** Piano and Drum – Year 2 Options

Credits

Piano and drum students must take two ensemble and workshop courses of their choice totalling two credits from any of the courses listed below:

MUSC 253 - (College Singers III)
MUSC 254 - (College Singers IV)
MUSC 255 - (Vocal Jazz III)
MUSC 256 - (Vocal Jazz IV)
MUSC 261 - (Chamber Choir III)
MUSC 262 - (Chamber Choir IV)
MUSC 263 - (Wind Ensemble III)
MUSC 264 - (Wind Ensemble IV)
MUSC 271 - (Advanced Guitar Ensemble III)
MUSC 272 - (Advanced Guitar Ensemble IV)
MUSC 273 - (Jazz Ensemble III)
MUSC 274 - (Jazz Ensemble IV)

2

Updated March 2, 2010