McGill.CA / Music / Programs / Bachelor of Music / Jazz; B.Mus. (Major)

Program Requirements: B.Mus. Jazz

The Bachelor of Music in jazz performance is a 126 credit program. You may have fewer credits to complete if you receive course exemptions and/or transfer credits.

Students in the jazz performance program are required to achieve a minimum grade of B- in all courses with a MUJZ prefix, practical instruction/exams and ensembles, as well as attain a minimum CGPA of 2.0 to continue in this program.

Use our sample 4-year program plan to determine when to take each course. 

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) - Major Performance Jazz(126 Credits)

    Offered by:Performance
    Degree:Bachelor of Music

Program Requirement:

The Bachelor of Music; Major in Performance Jazz provides comprehensive training for jazz musicians. The curriculum includes jazz theory and harmony, keyboard, history, performance practice, improvisation, composition, and arranging. Throughout the program, students receive individual instruction and participate in jazz orchestras, ensembles, and combos.

Special Requirements:

1. Students majoring in Jazz Performance must achieve a minimum grade of B- in all Jazz courses and Practical Instruction/Exams, including Jazz Combo and Ensembles.
2. Students are permitted to study with the same teacher for the assigned practical instruction for a maximum of two consecutive years.

Program Prerequisites - Freshman Program (34 credits)

34 credits selected as described below, in consultation with the Program Adviser:

22 credits of Prerequisite Courses
2 credits of MUEN 570 Jazz Combo
4 credits of Large Ensemble
6 credits of Non-Music Electives



    Prerequisite Courses

    22 credits, all of the courses below:

    Note: Students who can demonstrate through auditions, placement tests, or equivalencies that they have mastered the material in any of the courses listed below, will be exempt from them and may proceed to more advanced courses.

    Incoming jazz guitarists and pianists are automatically exempt from MUJZ 170 and MUJZ 171.


    • MUIN 180 BMus Practical Lessons 1 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUIN 181 BMus Practical Lessons 2 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 160 Jazz Materials 1 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 161 Jazz Materials 2 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 170 Jazz Keyboard Proficiency 1 1 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 171 Jazz Keyboard Proficiency 2 1 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 187 Jazz History Survey 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUPD 135 Music as a Profession 1 1 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUSP 123 Jazz Ear Training 1 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUSP 124 Jazz Ear Training 2 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer


    Required Courses (53 credits)

    Performance


    • MUIN 280 BMus Practical Lessons 3 2.5 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUIN 281 BMus Practical Lessons 4 2.5 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUIN 282 BMus Performance Exam 1 1 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUIN 380 BMus Practical Lessons 5 2.5 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUIN 381 BMus Practical Lessons 6 2.5 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUIN 382 BMus Performance Exam 2 1 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUIN 480 BMus Practical Lessons 7 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUIN 481 BMus Practical Lessons 8 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUIN 482 BMus Performance Exam 3 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer


    Small Ensemble


    • MUEN 570 Jazz Combo 1 Credits*
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    *This course is taken in four semesters for 4 credits.


    Jazz Improvisation
    Instrumental majors:


    • MUJZ 223 Jazz Improv/Musicianship 1 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 224 Jazz Improv/Musicianship 2 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 423 Jazz Improv/Musicianship 3 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 424 Jazz Improv/Musicianship 4 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    OR


    Vocal majors:


    • MUJZ 225 Jazz Vocal Improvisation 1 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 226 Jazz Vocal Improvisation 2 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 325 Jazz Vocal Improvisation 3 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 326 Jazz Vocal Improvisation 4 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer


    Jazz Theory


    • MUJZ 260 Jazz Arranging 1 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 261 Jazz Arranging 2 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 340 Jazz Composition 1 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 341 Jazz Composition 2 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer


    History/Literature/Performance Practice


    • MUHL 286 Critical Thinking About Music 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 493 Jazz Performance Practice 3 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer


    Professional Development


    • MUPD 235 Music as a Profession 2 1 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer


    Complementary Courses (14-18 credits)

    Performance
    Small Ensemble


    • MUEN 570 Jazz Combo 1 Credits*
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    *Taken in two semesters for 2 credits.


    OR


    • MUEN 574 Afro-Cuban/BrazilianJazzCombo 1 Credits*
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    *Taken in two semesters for 2 credits.


    Large Ensemble
    Note: students playing Rhythm Section instruments (piano,guitar, bass, drums, vibraphone) can substitute 4 credits of large ensemble with free electives).

    8-12 credits from*:
    * All ensemble courses under MUEN may be taken in multiple terms.


    • MUEN 563 Jazz Vocal Workshop 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUEN 572 Cappella Antica 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUEN 573 Baroque Orchestra 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUEN 587 Cappella McGill 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUEN 590 McGill Wind Orchestra 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUEN 592 Chamber Jazz Ensemble 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUEN 593 Choral Ensembles 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUEN 594 Contemporary Music Ensemble 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUEN 595 Jazz Ensembles 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUEN 597 McGill Symphony Orchestra 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer


    Advanced Jazz
    Instrumental majors:
    4 credits from either MUJZ 440 and MUJZ 441, or MUJZ 461D1/D2:


    • MUJZ 440 Advanced Jazz Composition 1 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 441 Advanced Jazz Composition 2 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 461D1 Advanced Jazz Arranging 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 461D2 Advanced Jazz Arranging 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    OR


    Vocal majors:


    • MUJZ 425 Jazz Vocal Repertoire 1 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer

    • MUJZ 426 Jazz Vocal Repertoire 2 2 Credits
        Offered in the:
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Summer


    Elective Courses (21-25 credits)

    3 credits of non-Music Electives.

    18-22 credits of Free Electives (may not include courses with a MUEN prefix); students playing Rhythm Section instruments may take up to 22 Free Electives.



      For more information, see Programs, Courses and University Regulations.

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