Jazz Studies Minor

Advisor: Chuck Dotas
Email: dotascj@jmu.edu
Phone: (540) 568-6180
Jazz Studies Minor Website

Program Description

The Jazz Studies minor offers interested students an opportunity to explore the basics of jazz style via classroom study and ensemble performance. The minor strengthens skills in small ensemble (combo) and large ensemble (big band) performance, basic music theory, and techniques of jazz improvisation. The Jazz Studies minor expands students' appreciation of this unique, Black American art form.

Open to all undergraduate students at JMU, the jazz studies minor helps students majoring in other disciplines understand and perform the jazz art form.

Minor Requirements

The minor requires the successful completion of 14-15 credit hours in specified music courses and four credit hours in jazz ensembles. Students must earn 50 percent of the required curriculum at JMU.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Fundamentals
MUS 240	Jazz Improvisation Laboratory I	2
MUS 356	History of Jazz	3
MUS 440	Jazz Improvisation Laboratory II (must repeat three times for a total of 6 credit hours)	6
Choose one of the following:		3-4
MUS 131	Fundamentals of Music
MUS 140	Introduction to Music Theory and Aural Skills
MUS 255	Jazz Theory
Subtotal		14-15
Ensembles
Choose one of the following:		4
MUAP 347	Jazz Ensemble (repeatable)
MUAP 348	Jazz Band
MUAP 355	Jazz Chamber Ensemble
Subtotal		4
Total Credits		18-19