The Master’s program in Jazz Studies at Marshall University offers advanced training in jazz improvisation, composition and arranging, conducting, history, and jazz performance. Graduates of the program are prepared to join the profession as jazz performers, composers, arrangers, and educators, to teach at the collegiate level, or to enter a doctoral-level jazz program.
Admission Requirements & Deadlines
Please visit the Graduate Music Admissions page for the latest information on requirements and deadlines and to schedule your audition.
Graduate Jazz Auditions
Live and Video Auditions
Auditions may be conducted live, or you may submit a link to an unedited video via an unlisted YouTube channel.
- Bebop Tunes: Confirmation, Donna Lee, Groovin’ High, Half Nelson, Joy Spring, Stablemates
- Standard Tunes: All The Things You Are, Alone Together, Have You Met Miss Jones?, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella By Starlight, There Will Never Be Another You, What Is This Thing Called Love
- Post-bop Tunes: Dolphin Dance, Giant Steps, Inner Urge, Moment’s Notice, The Moontrane
- Medium Swing
- Shuffle (Swing)
- Uptempo Swing
- Samba
- Bossa Nova
- Rock
- Perform 12 Major scales, two octaves, up and down.
- Perform one blues in a key selected by the student. Play the melody and improvise at least one chorus. May use play-along recording. Suggested blues include C Jam Blues, Straight No Chaser, Now’s the Time, Sonnymoon for Two, Billie’s Bounce, etc.
Curriculum
Course Requirements
Jazz Studies
Area of Emphasis for the Master of Arts in Music
(32 credits)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MUS 512 | Adv Jazz Ped & Cond | 3 |
| MUS 513 | Adv Jazz Styles / Analysis | 2 |
| Four Credits of MUS 559 Jazz Ensemble | 4 | |
| Four Credits of MUS 560 Jazz Imrprov Ensemble | 4 | |
| MUS 621 | Music Research Methods | 3 |
| MUS 681 | Thesis | 3 |
| Applied Music | 8 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select five credits from the following: | 5 | |
MUS 649 | Advanced Jazz Arranging & Comp | |
MUS 631 | Adv Jazz Improv | |
MUS 657 | Jazz History | |
Other Graduate Music Courses | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
Students must follow departmental policies in preparing and presenting the graduate performance recital.
Program Requirements
Diagnostic Exam
All entering graduate music students must take diagnostic exams in music theory and music history prior to the start of their first semester of enrollment. These exams are administered in the week prior to the beginning of classes in the Fall and Spring. The diagnostic exams for Jazz Studies majors focus on jazz theory and history.
Graduate Recital
The M.A. in Music with an emphasis in Jazz Studies requires the performance of a Graduate Recital, typically scheduled in the final semester of study.
Comprehensive Exam
The graduate comprehensive examinations in music (written and oral) are required of all candidates for the Master of Arts in Music degrees.