Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies
- 4-Year Degree Program
- Program Fees: Domestic Students, International Students
- Apply for Admission: Forms and Information
Note: VIU also offers a Music - Jazz Studies Diploma.
The Program
The Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies 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.
Upon successful completion of the first two years of the program (64 credits), students can apply for a Diploma in Music – Jazz.
The program consists of a total of 136 credits: 115-118 credits of Music courses, 12-15 credits of non-Music electives, and 6 credits of required first-year English.
An intensive seven-week summer program, at the end of the fourth year, will enable students to conclude their four years of study by working one-on-one and in small groups with Music professionals of international standing brought in for the program and will conclude with a full range of public performances – instructors and students alike – in special venues.
A free information session for prospective students is usually held in February. Check with the Advising Centre for dates and times, 1–888–920–2221 local 6410, or visit viu.ca/infosessions.
Admission Requirements
- Students may apply to the third year of the degree program after successful completion of a Jazz Diploma.
- Audition required.
Start Date and Application Deadline
The program starts in September and applications are accepted between November 15 and March 31. For further information regarding late applications, program contacts, and scheduled information sessions check the Program Availability List.
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 3 – Core Courses |
Credits |
|---|---|
MUSC 221 - (Musical Theory: Aural, Solfege and Conducting Skills III) |
3 |
MUSC 222 - (Musical Theory: Aural, Solfege and Conducting Skills IV) |
3 |
MUSC 311 - (History of Jazz I) |
3 |
MUSC 325 - (Computers and Music II) |
2 |
MUSC 345 - (Private Music Instruction V) |
2 |
MUSC 346 - (Private Music Instruction VI) |
2 |
MUSC 381 - (Jazz Arranging, Aural Skills and Composititon I) |
2 |
MUSC 382 - (Jazz Arranging, Aural Skills and Composition II) |
2 |
MUSC 383 - (Jazz Workshop and Repetoire III) |
1 |
MUSC 384 - (Jazz Workshop and Repetoire IV) |
1 |
MUSC 385 - (Survey of Instruments: Music Pedagogy I) |
1 |
MUSC 386 - (Survey of Instruments: Music Pedagogy II) |
1 |
The following ensemble and workshop courses are optional and may be taken in addition to those listed above. |
|
Electives: |
6 |
Voice, brass, and woodwind students must take four ensemble and workshop courses totalling four credits as listed below. * |
4 |
Guitar, electric bass, stand–up bass, 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 |
31 – 33 |
Credits |
|
|---|---|
Voice, brass, and woodwind students must take four ensemble and workshop courses totalling four credits as follows: |
|
Voice students must take the following ensemble and workshop courses: |
4 |
Brass and woodwind students must take the following ensemble and workshop courses: |
4 |
** Guitar, Electric Bass, Stand–up Bass, Piano, and Drum – Year 3 Options |
Credits |
|---|---|
Guitar, electric bass, stand–up bass, 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 353 - (College Singers V) |
2 |
Year 4 – Core Courses |
Credits |
|---|---|
MUSC 407 - (Studio Recording I) |
2 |
MUSC 408 - (Studio Recording II) |
2 |
MUSC 411 - (History of Jazz II) |
3 |
MUSC 425 - (Computers and Music III) |
3 |
MUSC 445 - (Private Tuition, Jazz VII) |
2 |
MUSC 446 - (Private Tuition, Jazz VIII) |
2 |
MUSC 447 - (Jazz Arranging, Aural Skills and Composition III) |
2 |
MUSC 448 - (Jazz Arranging, Aural Skills and Composition IV) |
2 |
MUSC 457 - (Choral Conducting and Pedagogy I) |
1 |
MUSC 458 - (Instrumental Conducting and Pedagogy II) |
1 |
MUSC 483 - (Jazz Workshop and Repertoire V) |
1 |
MUSC 484 - (Jazz Workshop and Repertoire VI) |
1 |
Select one of the following lecture courses, provided it was not taken in second or third year: |
3 |
The following ensemble and workshop courses are optional and may be taken in addition to those listed above: |
|
Electives: |
6 |
Voice, brass, and woodwind students must take four ensemble and workshop courses totalling four credits as listed below. * |
4 |
Guitar, electric bass, stand–up bass, 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 |
33 – 35 |
† Note: prerequisite for ANTH 331 is ANTH 231 - (Intro to Music in Culture).
†† Note: prerequisite for MUSC 305 is MUSC 205 - (Music Composition I).
Credits |
|
|---|---|
Voice, brass, and woodwind students must take four ensemble and workshop courses totalling four credits as follows: |
|
Voice students must take the following ensemble and workshop courses: |
4 |
Brass and woodwind students must take the following ensemble and workshop courses: |
4 |
** Guitar, Electric Bass, Stand–up Bass, Piano, and Drum – Year 4 Options |
Credits |
|---|---|
Guitar, electric bass, stand–up bass, 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 453 - (College Singers VII) |
2 |
Year 4 Summer Program |
Credits |
|---|---|
MUSC 400 - (Career Development I) |
2 |
MUSC 449 - (Private Music Instruction IX) |
2 |
MUSC 450 - (Applied Performance Project) |
4 |
Total Credits |
8 |
| MUSC 490 - (Special Project) (optional) | (3) |
Total credits for piano and drum students: |
136 |
Total credits for guitar, bass guitar and stand-up bass students: |
140 |
Total credits for voice, brass, and woodwind students: |
144 |
Updated July 23, 2010