2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/faa/jazz-performance-bmus/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Jazz Performance

Students majoring in jazz performance may do so with piano, double bass, saxophone/clarinet, trumpet, trombone, percussion, guitar, strings, or voice as the major instrument.

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Jazz Performance

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Students who wish to study voice or an instrument for credit are required to satisfy the instrumental or vocal qualifying audition designed for students outside the School of Music.

A minimum of twelve hours of 400-level courses in Music must be taken on the Urbana-Champaign campus.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | 4-6 | | Advanced Composition | | 3 | | Humanities and the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by MUS 313 and MUS 314 | | | | Natural Sciences and Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 | | Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 | | Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-15 |

Orientation Requirements

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | MUS 100 | First-year Seminar for Music Majors | 0 | | FAA 101 | Arts at Illinois | 1 | | Total Hours | | 1 |

Music Core

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Music Theory and Musicianship | | | | MUS 101 | Music Theory and Practice I | 2 | | MUS 102 | Music Theory and Practice II | 2 | | MUS 201 | Music Theory and Practice III | 2 | | MUS 202 | Music Theory and Practice IV | 2 | | MUS 107 | Musicianship I | 2 | | MUS 108 | Musicianship II | 2 | | MUS 207 | Musicianship III | 2 | | MUS 208 | Musicianship IV | 2 | | Musicology | | | | MUS 110 | Introd Art Mus: Intl Perspect | 3 | | MUS 313 | The History of Music I | 3 | | MUS 314 | The History of Music II | 3 | | Keyboard Proficiency | | | | All students, except keyboard students, must demonstrate keyboard competency when they audition, by proficiency examination when they matriculate, or by enrolling in MUS 172 and/or MUS 173. | | | | MUS 172 | Grp Instr Pno for Mus Major I | 2 | | MUS 173 | Grp Instr Pno for Mus Maj II | 2 | | Total Hours | | 29 |

Jazz Performance Studies

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Music Lessons | | 16 | | Jazz Performance students register for one 2-credit hour lesson each semester for a minimum of eight consecutive semesters. | | | | Of the eight semesters of applied music lessons, two semesters (4 hours) may be in classical applied study. | | | | Applied Music Lessons (years 1 & 2). Students choose from: | | | | MUSC 131, MUSC 132, MUSC 133, MUSC 134, MUSC 135, MUSC 136, MUSC 137, MUSC 138, MUSC 139, MUSC 140, MUSC 141, MUSC 142 | | | | Applied Music Lessons (years 3 & 4). Students choose from: | | | | MUSC 431, MUSC 432, MUSC 433, MUSC 434, MUSC 435, MUSC 436, MUSC 437, MUSC 438, MUSC 439, MUSC 440, MUSC 441, MUSC 442 | | | | Jazz Ensemble/Combo | | 8 | | Jazz Performance students must be in a Jazz ensemble and/or Jazz combo each semester of residence; a maximum of 16 hours of ensemble and combo may be applied to the BMUS Jazz Performance degree. | | | | Students may choose from: | | | | MUSC 490, MUSC 491, MUSC 492, MUSC 493, MUSC 494, MUSC 495, MUSC 496, MUSC 497, MUSC 498 | | | | MUS 163 | Jazz Keyboard Studies I | 2 | | Jazz piano majors take two (2) credit hours of another jazz course in consultation with advisor. | | | | MUS 164 | Jazz Keyboard Studies II | 2 | | Jazz piano majors take two (2) credit hours of another jazz course in consultation with advisor. | | | | MUS 360 | Jazz Improv:Theory and Prac I | 2 | | MUS 361 | Jazz Improv:Theory and Prac II | 2 | | MUS 362 | Jazz Arranging I | 3 | | MUS 363 | Jazz Arranging II | 3 | | MUS 364 | Jazz Composition I | 2 | | MUS 365 | Jazz Composition II | 2 | | MUS 368 | Jazz Improvisation Styles I | 2 | | MUS 369 | Jazz Improvisation Styles II | 2 | | MUS 464 | Jazz History I | 3 | | MUS 465 | Jazz History II | 3 | | MUSC 300 | Junior Recital | 0 | | MUSC 400 | Senior Recital | 0 | | Total Hours | | 52 |

Summary of Credit for the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | General Education | | | | Orientation | | 1 | | Music Core | | 29 | | Jazz Performance | | 52 | | Free electives to bring the total hours earned to 120 | | | | A minimum of 40 credits at the 300- or 400-level must be completed for this degree | | | | 8 of these hours are fulfilled by MUS 201, MUS 202, MUS 207, and MUS 208, each of which has at least 2 prerequisites and may count as advanced | | | | A maximum of 8 hours of upper level coursework may be earned through ensembles, MUSC 447 through MUSC 498 | | | | Total Hours | | 120 |

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Jazz Performance

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English.  For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Jazz Performance

Bachelor of Music graduates will:

1. Understand, apply, and integrate foundational concepts of musical study in theory, aural skills, history, composition, improvisation, and keyboard competency, and do so independently and cooperatively.
2. Demonstrate the ability to learn independently, make inquiries, think critically, discover solutions, and integrate knowledge across both similar and varied areas of musical study.
3. Develop and demonstrate effective performance skills (technical and expressive) using critical thinking to inform historical and stylistic performance practices and artistic expression.
4. Develop and demonstrate effective communication skills, including artistic self-expression, with diverse audiences through multiple media.
5. Acquire a basic understanding of diverse musical systems and traditions across the world, and develop a sensitivity to and awareness of cultural and societal differences, and their contribution to an interdependent global consciousness.
6. Acquire an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility as musicians and citizens, and demonstrate the ability to work professionally and effectively as leaders and collaborators.
7. Acquire a basic understanding of technology and professional skills, along with knowledge of specific technological developments within area of specialization.
8. Appreciate how music interacts with communities to enhance and engage social and cultural identities and enrich lifelong learning.

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Jazz Performance

School of Music

School of Music Website\ Music Faculty

College of Fine & Applied Arts

FAA College Website

Admissions

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions