Program Overview

Jazz Studies Degree

Overview

The University of North Texas offers a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz Studies, a program that has been a leader in jazz education since 1947. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in jazz performance, composition, and history.

Program Details

• Program Type: Major
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated Time to Complete: 4 years
• Credit Hours: 129

Why Earn a Degree in Jazz Studies?

The Jazz Studies program at UNT is widely regarded as one of the nation's most respected and was the first degree program of its kind in the field. The program provides students with many opportunities to perform with on- and off-campus ensembles, including the One O'Clock Lab Band, which has earned six Grammy Award nominations and toured Europe, Japan, Thailand, and Australia.

Marketable Skills

• Perform notated jazz music
• Improvise jazz music
• Arrange jazz music
• Understanding of jazz history/repertoire
• Oral and written communication

Jazz Studies Degree Highlights

• An annual lecture series provides unique perspectives on jazz with past speakers including Dave Brubeck, Ingrid Jensen, Tierney Sutton, Mike Moreno, Billy Hart, Curtis Fuller, John Abercrombie, Nasheet Waits, Wycliffe Gordon, and Chris Potter.
• Outstanding facilities include the Murchison Performing Arts Center, the Voertman Concert Hall, and the Stan Kenton Hall.
• The college is home to the Maynard Ferguson Music Library, the Stan Kenton Collection, and the Gene Puerling Collection.
• A Living-Learning Community brings together jazz studies students who live on campus to enhance academic and social experiences.
• The College of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, which means the college meets or exceeds strict academic standards for excellence in education.

Faculty

• Faculty members are dedicated teachers as well as nationally and internationally known performers who have earned Grammy Award nominations, toured internationally, conducted classes at the renowned Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops, and written books about jazz.

Career Opportunities

• Professional performers
• Composers
• Arrangers
• Teachers
• Producers
• Entrepreneurs

Notable Alumni

• Bassists Mike Pope, Tony Scherr, and Matt Wigton
• Composers Alan Baylock, Yumiko Sunami, Brad Turner, and Dale Wilson
• Drummers Keith Carlock, Ari Hoenig, and John Riley
• Guitarists Tim Miller, Rick Peckham, and Bruce Saunders
• Musician/producers Bob Belden and Dave Love
• Pianists Lyle Mays, Jon Ballantyne, Pavel Wlosok, and Stefan Karlsson
• Saxophonists "Blue Lou" Marini, Jim Snidero, Tim Ries, Craig Handy, and Jeff Coffin
• Trombonists Tom "Bones" Malone, Conrad Herwig, Steve Wiest, and Sara Jacovino
• Vocalists Norah Jones, JD Walter, and Alison Wedding

Courses

• Jazz Improvisation (2 hrs)
• History of Jazz (3 hrs)
• Music Cultures of the World (3 hrs)
• Science and Technology of Musical Sound (3 hrs)
• Music as Communication (3 hrs)
• Jazz Fundamentals (2 hrs)