Music, M.Mu. - Jazz Studies Concentration

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Additional Admissions Requirements

Admission to the concentration in jazz studies is based on examination of one or more of the following: original compositions, arrangements, scholarly papers, audition, and professional experience.

An audition is required. The applicant must have had prior experience in improvisation. At the audition, the applicant must demonstrate an acceptable level of proficiency in the styles of swing, bebop, funk, and contemporary jazz. Auditions should be arranged through the School of Music application platform, Acceptd, in accordance with the schedule available from the School of Music.

Concentration Requirements

36 Credit Hours

Applied Music Requirements

APXX 8000 - Applied Instruction 3 Credit Hours (12 credits) (Four semesters)

Required Courses

MUS 6170 - Jazz Arranging 2 Credit Hours
MUS 6230 - Jazz Composition 2 Credit Hours
MUS 6792 - Jazz Theory 2 Credit Hours
MUS 6850 - Jazz Styles 2 Credit Hours
MUS 7090 - Jazz Band 1 Credit Hours (Four credits) (Four semesters)
MUS 7160 - Jazz Combos 0.5 Credit Hours (Two credits) (Four semesters)
MUS 8220 - Jazz Pedagogy 2 Credit Hours
MUS 8230 - Jazz Program Administration 2 Credit Hours

Music History

One 8000-Level Course in Music History 3 Credit Hours

Music Theory

One Graduate-Level Course in Music Theory:

MUS 6450 - Advanced Tonal Analysis 3 Credit Hours
MUS 6500 - Historical Counterpoint 3 Credit Hours
MUS 6460 - Analysis of Post-Tonal Music 3 Credit Hours
MUS 8430 - Special Topics in Music Theory 3 Credit Hours

Final Project

A Final Project Consisting of a Public Performance.

Comprehensive Examination

By the midpoint of the final semester of study, the student will schedule an oral and/or written examination. The committee should include at least three faculty members (including the applied instructor or area coordinator, one theory faculty member, and one history faculty member). The examinations will assess the student’s knowledge regarding repertoire, pedagogy, music theory, and music history. The student will be expected to synthesize his/her knowledge and demonstrate a high level of musical understanding. Preparation should include a detailed review of all graduate courses taken and a review of the music that has been studied and performed as part of the master’s program. Each area will determine the proficiency requirements for the Comprehensive Exam for the Major Area. The appropriate area will administer the Major Area portion of the comprehensive exam and students will be required to demonstrate proficiency as determined by their major professor and/or area coordinator. These exams may consist of paper, an oral exam, program notes for recital, a short lecture to be presented in conjunction with a recital, etc. Each foundation studies member will determine appropriate comprehensive examination questions based on the coursework the student has completed at Georgia State University in their appropriate field, and will administer the exam as they see fit. This can be an oral exam, written exam, papers, etc. It will be the student’s responsibility to complete all portions of these comprehensive exams and collect appropriate approval signatures from their major area, music history, and music theory and turn their final comprehensive exam form into the graduate director. Students planning to graduate in the Fall or Spring must complete the comprehensive examination by the end of the twelfth week of classes. Students planning to graduate in the Summer must complete the comprehensive examination by the end of the fourth week of classes.