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Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies - Performance/Composition

Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts School of Performing Arts

Credential
Bachelor

Duration
4 year(s)

Program Highlights

Recognized as one of Canada's top jazz training institutions, CapU's Jazz Studies programs foster your abilities in jazz performance, composition and music education in the context of an enriched liberal arts education.

The Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies is a four-year degree focused on jazz performance and composition in balance with other musical traditions.

If you plan to play, compose, teach, or move on to graduate studies, this unique program will put you in company with internationally successful performers, composers and teachers.

For information about our grads, instructors and awards, visit the Jazz Studies blog.

  • Perform, improvise, compose, and collaborate fluently in a variety of jazz idioms.
  • Communicate their musical ideas, knowledge, and experiences with others.
  • Research, discuss, analyze, and notate music of a sophisticated harmonic, rhythmic, and formal character.
  • Remember and assimilate a wide range of music for use in jazz performance and composition.
  • Integrate theoretical concepts with practical performance, improvisation, and composition skills.
  • Produce scholarly work that shows a firm contextual understanding of music theory and history.
  • Exercise self-discipline and a strong work ethic in the development of performance and composition skills.

Admission Requirements

English language requirements

English is the language of instruction at CapU. All applicants are required to demonstrate competence in the English language prior to admission.

If English is not your first language or you’ve received your education in a language other than English, you must meet our English Language Requirements.

Basic requirements

  • High school graduation

Program-specific requirements

  • Interview
  • Audition

Additional information

Auditions include performance, aural skills assessment, sight-reading assessment, and music theory assessment.

Program Requirements

First Term

Total credits: 16.50

Required:
ENGL 100University Writing Strategies3.00 credits
JAZZ 116Keyboard Skills I1.00 credits
JAZZ 130Theory of Tonal Music and Jazz I3.00 credits
JAZZ 174Jazz History I1.50 credits
JAZZ 184Ear Training/Sight Singing I1.50 credits
JAZZ 196Jazz Performance and Improvisation I3.00 credits
PMIPrivate Music Instruction at the 100-level2.00 credits
Choose 1.50 credits from the following list:
ENSJ 122Rhythmic Music Ensemble I1.50 credits
ENSJ 141Large Jazz Ensemble (A Band) I1.50 credits
ENSJ 143Large Jazz Ensemble (B Band) I1.50 credits
ENSJ 145Large Jazz Ensemble (C Band) I1.50 credits
ENSJ 147Percussion Ensemble I1.50 credits
ENSJ 161Jazz Choir (Nitecap) I1.50 credits
ENSJ 163Jazz Choir (Capital Jazz) I1.50 credits
ENSJ 165Vocal Instrumental Ensemble I1.50 credits
ENSJ 171Guitar/Bass Ensemble I1.50 credits

 

Second Term

Total credits: 16.50

Required:
JAZZ 117Keyboard Skills II1.00 credits
JAZZ 131Theory of Tonal Music and Jazz II3.00 credits
JAZZ 175Jazz History II1.50 credits
JAZZ 185Ear Training/Sight Singing II1.50 credits
JAZZ 197Jazz Performance and Improvisation II3.00 credits
ENGL100-level or higher3.00 credits
PMIPrivate Music Instruction at the 200-level2.00 credits
Choose 1.50 credits from the following list:
ENSJ 123Rhythmic Music Ensemble II1.50 credits
ENSJ 142Large Jazz Ensemble (A Band) II1.50 credits
ENSJ 144Large Jazz Ensemble (B Band) II1.50 credits
ENSJ 146Large Jazz Ensemble (C Band) II1.50 credits
ENSJ 148Percussion Ensemble II1.50 credits
ENSJ 162Jazz Choir (Nitecap) II1.50 credits
ENSJ 164Jazz Choir (Capital Jazz) II1.50 credits
ENSJ 166Vocal Instrumental Ensemble II1.50 credits
ENSJ 172Guitar/Bass Ensemble II1.50 credits

 

Third Term

Total credits: 16.50

Required:
JAZZ 230Theory of Tonal Music and Jazz III3.00 credits
JAZZ 274Studies in Music History I1.50 credits
JAZZ 282Jazz Improvisation III1.50 credits
JAZZ 284Ear Training/Sight Singing III1.50 credits
JAZZ 296Jazz Performance III1.50 credits
PMIPrivate Music Instruction at the 300-level2.00 credits
PMIPrivate Music Instruction Secondary1.00 credits
Elective 100-level or higher (excluding COND, ENSJ, ENSM, JAZZ, MUS courses)3.00 credits
Choose 1.50 credits from the following list:
ENSJ 222Rhythmic Music Ensemble III1.50 credits
ENSJ 241Large Jazz Ensemble (A Band) III1.50 credits
ENSJ 243Large Jazz Ensemble (B Band) III1.50 credits
ENSJ 245Large Jazz Ensemble (C Band) III1.50 credits
ENSJ 247Percussion Ensemble III1.50 credits
ENSJ 261Jazz Choir (Nitecap) III1.50 credits
ENSJ 263Jazz Choir (Capital Jazz) III1.50 credits
ENSJ 265Vocal Instrumental Ensemble III1.50 credits
ENSJ 271Guitar/Bass Ensemble III1.50 credits

 

Fourth Term

Total credits: 16.50

Required:
JAZZ 231Theory of Tonal Music and Jazz IV3.00 credits
JAZZ 275Studies in Music History II1.50 credits
JAZZ 283Jazz Improvisation IV1.50 credits
JAZZ 285Ear Training/Sight Singing IV1.50 credits
JAZZ 297Jazz Performance IV1.50 credits
PMIPrivate Music Instruction at the 400-level2.00 credits
PMIPrivate Music Instruction Secondary1.00 credits
Elective 100-level or higher (excluding COND, ENSJ, ENSM, JAZZ, MUS courses)3.00 credits
Choose 1.50 credits from the following list:
ENSJ 223Rhythmic Music Ensemble IV1.50 credits
ENSJ 242Large Jazz Ensemble (A Band) IV1.50 credits
ENSJ 244Large Jazz Ensemble (B Band) IV1.50 credits
ENSJ 246Large Jazz Ensemble (C Band) IV1.50 credits
ENSJ 248Percussion Ensemble IV1.50 credits
ENSJ 262Jazz Choir (Nitecap) IV1.50 credits
ENSJ 264Jazz Choir (Capital Jazz) IV1.50 credits
ENSJ 266Vocal Instrumental Ensemble IV1.50 credits
ENSJ 272Guitar/Bass Ensemble IV1.50 credits

 

Fifth Term

Total credits: 15.50

Required:
JAZZ 303Jazz Arranging I1.50 credits
JAZZ 320Conducting and Pedagogy I1.50 credits
JAZZ 331Music Theory VI: Studies in Counterpoint1.50 credits
JAZZ 375Studies in Ethnomusicology1.50 credits
JAZZ 382Jazz Improvisation V1.50 credits
JAZZ 396Jazz Performance V1.50 credits
PMIPrivate Music Instruction at the 500-level2.00 credits
Elective 100-level or higher (excluding COND, ENSJ, ENSM, JAZZ, MUS courses)3.00 credits
Choose 1.50 credits from the following list:
ENSJ 322Rhythmic Music Ensemble V1.50 credits
ENSJ 341Large Jazz Ensemble (A Band) V1.50 credits
ENSJ 343Large Jazz Ensemble (B Band) V1.50 credits
ENSJ 345Large Jazz Ensemble (C Band) V1.50 credits
ENSJ 347Percussion Ensemble V1.50 credits
ENSJ 361Jazz Choir (Nitecap) V1.50 credits
ENSJ 363Jazz Choir (Capital Jazz) V1.50 credits
ENSJ 365Vocal/Instrumental Ensemble V1.50 credits
ENSJ 371Guitar/Bass Ensemble V1.50 credits

 

Sixth Term

Total credits: 15.50

Required:
JAZZ 304Jazz Arranging II1.50 credits
JAZZ 321Conducting and Pedagogy II1.50 credits
JAZZ 376Studies in Music History III: Music of the African Diaspora3.00 credits
JAZZ 383Jazz Improvisation VI1.50 credits
JAZZ 397Jazz Performance VI1.50 credits
PMIPrivate Music Instruction at the 600-level2.00 credits
Elective 100-level or higher (excluding COND, ENSJ, ENSM, JAZZ, MUS courses)3.00 credits
Choose 1.50 credits from the following list:
ENSJ 323Rhythmic Music Ensemble VI1.50 credits
ENSJ 342Large Jazz Ensemble (A Band) VI1.50 credits
ENSJ 344Large Jazz Ensemble (B Band) VI1.50 credits
ENSJ 346Large Jazz Ensemble (C Band) VI1.50 credits
ENSJ 348Percussion Ensemble VI1.50 credits
ENSJ 362Jazz Choir (Nitecap) VI1.50 credits
ENSJ 364Jazz Choir (Capital Jazz) VI1.50 credits
ENSJ 366Vocal/Instrumental Ensemble VI1.50 credits
ENSJ 372Guitar/Bass Ensemble VI1.50 credits

 

Seventh Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
JAZZ 400Interdisciplinary Seminar: Special Topics in Musicology3.00 credits
JAZZ 403Jazz Arranging III: Large Ensemble1.50 credits
JAZZ 496Jazz Performance VII3.00 credits
PMIPrivate Music Instruction at the 700-level2.00 credits
PMIPrivate Music Instruction Secondary1.00 credits
Elective 100-level or higher (excluding COND, ENSJ, ENSM, JAZZ, MUS courses)3.00 credits
Choose 1.50 credits from the following list:
ENSJ 422Rhythmic Music Ensemble VII1.50 credits
ENSJ 441Large Jazz Ensemble (A Band) VII1.50 credits
ENSJ 443Large Jazz Ensemble (B Band) VII1.50 credits
ENSJ 445Large Jazz Ensemble (C Band) VII1.50 credits
ENSJ 461Jazz Choir (Nitecap) VII1.50 credits
ENSJ 463Jazz Choir (Capital Jazz) VII1.50 credits
ENSJ 465Vocal/Instrumental Ensemble VII1.50 credits

 

Eighth Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
JAZZ 401Interdisciplinary Seminar: Special Topics3.00 credits
JAZZ 404Jazz Arranging IV: Vocal Ensemble1.50 credits
JAZZ 497Jazz Performance VIII3.00 credits
PMIPrivate Music Instruction at the 800-level2.00 credits
PMIPrivate Music Instruction Secondary1.00 credits
Elective 100-level or higher (excluding COND, ENSJ, ENSM, JAZZ, MUS courses)3.00 credits
Choose 1.50 credits from the following list:
ENSJ 423Rhythmic Music Ensemble VIII1.50 credits
ENSJ 442Large Jazz Ensemble (A Band) VIII1.50 credits
ENSJ 444Large Jazz Ensemble (B Band) VIII1.50 credits
ENSJ 446Large Jazz Ensemble (C Band) VIII1.50 credits
ENSJ 462Jazz Choir (Nitecap) VIII1.50 credits
ENSJ 464Jazz Choir (Capital Jazz) VIII1.50 credits
ENSJ 466Vocal/Instrumental Ensemble VIII1.50 credits

 

Total program credits: 127.00

Program Notes

Students pursuing a baccalaureate degree must meet Cap Core graduation requirements in addition to their program requirements.

Continuation Requirement: To maintain satisfactory standing, all Jazz Studies students must be enrolled in a full-time course of study (at least nine credit hours) that includes a reasonable number of courses specific to their major (normally three) and must achieve a term grade point average above 1.8.

Continuation Requirement: To continue from year three to year four, a student must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better in all courses directly related to their degree as outlined below. Performance/Composition: Concentration PMI, JAZZ 382, 383, 396, 397, 496, 497; for performance PMI students only: all ENSJ courses; for composition PMI students only: JAZZ 303, 304, 331, 403, 404.

Students whose primary instrument is piano are required to complete 2.0 credits of Secondary PMI in lieu of JAZZ 116 and 117. Students with extensive training in piano may be allowed to take 2.0 credits of Secondary PMI in lieu of JAZZ 116 and 117 subject to Department approval.

Students whose primary instrument is the drum set or a mallet percussion instrument must have 3.0 credits of Percussion Ensemble in order to graduate.

Elective credits for the degree must include a minimum of 3 credits designated as Quantitative/Analytical.

Placement in ENSJ courses will be determined by the department following an audition in the first week of classes.

Contact

Have questions about this program?

School of Performing Arts


604 984 4911
jazz@capilanou.ca

Student Information Services


604 984 4900
604 984 1798 (fax)
Library Building, room LB152
registration@capilanou.ca