The BFA in Jazz Studies is a performance focused degree that grounds students in the music theory and music history of jazz. Creativity is fostered not only in improvisation, but in jazz composition and arranging. Students learn to improvise in traditional and modern styles, and to compose and arrange in varied jazz genres from traditional, early dixieland, through mainstream, to contemporary modern styles. Flexibility is offered in degree requirements so that the student’s primary area of interest can be featured. The major also offers the student additional flexibility to pursue courses in other fields, or to double major.
Students in the Jazz Studies program have access to an absolutely top notch faculty of professional New Orleans musicians, extensive course offerings in theory, musicology and ethnomusicology, the world-class Hogan Jazz Archives, and the immense, intense musical atmosphere of New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz.
Students in the Jazz Studies program are part of the larger community of students participating in the Jazz Combo program, which is comprised of 6 to 7 ensembles, including big band, which are formed each semester. Jazz ensembles perform eight times per year on campus, and there is an annual Spring Concert.
Admission to the Jazz Studies B.F.A. program is based on an audition, which takes place during the sophomore year. For this reason, no initial audition is required for applicants interested in Tulane’s jazz program.
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Musicology | ||
| MUSC 1410 | Hist Euro Music To 1800 | 3 |
| MUSC 1420 | Hist European Music Since 1800 | 3 |
| Select 2 of the following: | 6 | |
| Music in New Orleans 1 | ||
| American Music 2 | ||
| World Musics 2 | ||
| Intro To Opera | ||
| Topics: Musics Latin Amr | ||
| Musical Theatre In Amer | ||
| History of Jazz 1 | ||
| Black Music, Black Lives | ||
| Theory | ||
| MUSC 1510 | Harmony | 3 |
| MUSC 1520 | Advanced Harmony | 3 |
| Select 2 of the following: | 6 | |
| Jazz Theory 1,2 | ||
| Tonal Analysis:18/19th C 2 | ||
| Twentieth Century Theory 2 | ||
| Performance | ||
| APMS 1090 | Musicianship Lab I | 1 |
| APMS 1100 | Musicianship Lab II | 1 |
| Required Courses | ||
| MUSC 2300 | Computer Apps In Music | 3 |
| APMS 2171 | Vocal Ensemble (4 semesters) 3 | 4 |
| APMS 2210 | Voice/Vocal Jazz (4 semesters) 4 | 8 |
| APMS 3210 | Voice/Vocal Jazz (2 Semesters) | 4 |
| APMS 3500 | Jazz Improvisation (2 semesters) | 6 |
| APMS 3510 | Jazz Arrangements | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Adv Voice/Recital Prep | ||
| Adv Instrument/ Recital Prep | ||
| Adv Piano/Recital Prep | ||
| Adv Composition | ||
| Adv Voice/Recital Prep | ||
| APMS 4300 | Adv Comp/ Sr. Recital | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
- 1
It is strongly recommended that BFA Jazz students take MUSC 1530 Jazz Theory (3 c.h.), MUSC 3340 History of Jazz (3,4 c.h.), and/or MUSC 1900 Music in New Orleans (3 c.h.) which are offered as part of the CORE.
- 2
Pre-requisites and/or Co-requisites (see course descriptions)
- 3
Students may elect to mature within an ensemble by taking the major ensemble for his/her instrument up to 8 times for credit.
- 4
Students are encouraged to take applied lessons every semester; however, a course substitution, one semester of APMS 4910 Lect Rec Prep/Lect Rec (2 c.h.) is available for students lacking one semester of lessons.