The MM in Jazz Studies is a two-year, 60-credit program designed for the 21st century composer-performer. Taught by the Bay Area’s preeminent artists-educators and national and international visiting artists, the program is structured around the small ensemble, providing the professional-level jazz musician with a creative platform to both compose and perform original work.
In keeping with historical convention in jazz — from composer-performers Jelly Roll Morton to Wayne Shorter and beyond — the degree’s collective emphasis nurtures the aspiring professional musician seeking to further proficiency in both jazz composition and performance.
Given the international reach of the African American art form jazz, the Composer-Performer curriculum promotes a contemporary global perspective, while nurturing the music’s time-honored tradition.
Faculty
The CJC MM degree program faculty comprises preeminent San Francisco Bay Area composer-performers, including:
Visiting artists include Brian Blade, Theo Bleckmann, Benny Green, Romain Pilon and Edward Simon, among others.
Course Requirements
The MM in Jazz Studies includes the following course requirements:
|
Course Title & Number |
Semester 1 |
2 | 3 | 4 |
Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MCOM10A-20B Applied Lessons in Composition |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MCOM10A-20B Applied Lessons in Composition |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MCOM100A F and A – Work by 20th Century Jazz Composers from 1920-1939 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MCOM100B F and A – Work by 20th Century Jazz Composers from 1940-1959 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MCOM200A F and A – Work by 20th Century Jazz Composers from 1960-1979 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MCOM200B F and A – Work by 21st Century Jazz Composers from 1980 to the Present |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MCOM200C F and A – Work by Late 19th and 20th Century Composers |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MHIS100 History of Late 19th and 20th Century Music |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MCOM230 Advanced Counterpoint |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MTHE100 Advanced Jazz Theory |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MTHE110 Advanced Rhythmic Concepts |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MCOM220 Jazz Arranging |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MPRF100A-200B The Jazz Composer-Performer Ensemble |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MHUM What is Jazz? |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MAUD200 Studio Recording |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
MPED220 Teaching Artistry for the Jazz Musician |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Electives TBD | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 68 |
In addition, performances are scheduled at the end of each semester and are open to the public; Jazz festivals and national and international tours are scheduled for degree program candidates.
Tuition
Tuition per semester is $20,000 (Note: all students must be enrolled full-time).
Applying for the MM in Jazz Studies
Professional-level jazz musicians seeking to further develop proficiency in both jazz composition and performance are invited to apply. Accepting applications now.
Applicants will be required to submit written scores and corresponding recordings of three contrasting original compositions in ensemble format in either MP3 or M4A formats.
Please submit work that best showcases your ability as both composer and performer. You must be among the performers on all recordings. Please identify yourself by instrument / voice in all three recordings.