undergraduate Program

Jazz Studies

As the quintessential American art form, jazz is unique: the aspiring jazz student must master history, theory, and performance, all at equally high levels of competence. Under the direction of a faculty of world-renowned jazz musicians, the UCI Jazz Studies Program applies rigorous standards of excellence in both scholarship and performance. The comprehensive curriculum stresses exposure to the great composers of the jazz tradition encompassing the entire history of the art, along with intensive training in both large and small-group performance. During the third and fourth years, the undergraduate jazz major will also intensely study jazz composition, with the objective of preparing a body of original work for the culminating senior recital.

Jazz students perform constantly on campus, from large ensemble concerts to small-group “gigs” in student facilities. There are also numerous off-campus performance opportunities; these provide excellent preparation for professional performance careers after graduation.

The Jazz Studies Program accepts students on the following instruments: trumpet, saxophone, trombone, piano, acoustic bass, and drum set. The four-year program is centered on weekly individual studio lessons, where students learn instrumental technique and acquire increasingly advanced improvisational skills.

In addition to completing the core curriculum for majors, students enrolled in the jazz studies program choose from the following specialized courses in jazz:

• M36AB Jazz Theory I-II
• M78AB History of Jazz I-II
• M176 Chamber Ensemble: Jazz
• M176 Chamber Ensemble: Latin Jazz
• M178 UCI Jazz Orchestra
• M182 Advanced Jazz Ensemble
• M181ABC Jazz Improvisation I-II-III
• M183ABC Jazz Composition I-II-III
• M184 Saxophone Quartet
• M185 Jazz Rhythm Section

The academic courses are taken on a one-time basis. Most of the performance classes are repeated quarterly; normal loads for the undergraduate are two ensembles for each quarter of residence.

Additional Course Requirements

• Jazz Improvisation (Music 181A-B-C), UCI Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, or UCI Jazz Orchestra as assigned by the Department (Music 160, 161, or 178, respectively) each quarter of residence
• Nine quarters of Chamber Ensembles (Music 176, 182, 184, or 185) - transfer students are required to take six quarters of Chamber Ensembles

Click here for audition requirements.