Bachelor of Music (Jazz Studies)

Units required for Major: 71-76, including units for concentration (see below)
Total units required for BM: 120

Program Description

The fundamental purpose of the Sacramento State music curriculum is threefold:

  1. to promote excellence in all aspects of music performance and academic coursework,
  2. to provide basic preparation for careers in music, and
  3. to promote interest in all musical and artistic endeavors at the University and in the Sacramento community.

The main emphasis of the School of Music is upon performance. Sustaining this concept is the School's faculty, which remains committed to individual and ensemble performances as a means of enhancing the teaching quality of the institution and the cultural climate of the campus and community.

Students majoring in Music are not only expected to be technically proficient in the art but are required to have broad training in the liberal arts and sciences that are the core of the University's program.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Music degree program requires the recommendation of the student's major applied instructor, a 3.0 GPA in music courses, and approval of the applied area based upon a successful audition. Admission criteria and audition instructions may be obtained from the Music Department Office.

Each area of concentration has unique course requirements. Students interested in a BM degree should discuss the details of the program with a faculty advisor in the Music Department.

Grade "C-" or better required in all courses applied to the major.

General Requirements

The following are required for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music degree programs:

Performance Evaluation: Upon entering the music major, each student is required to:

  1. declare his/her major performance medium (instrument or voice);
  2. perform an entering placement audition before the appropriate applied faculty; and
  3. continue the development of his/her performance ability through regular study in accordance with Departmental requirements.

This development in performance is demonstrated at end-of-semester auditions before the applied music faculty. See applied music numbers for appropriate courses.

Soloist: Each student in the BA program of sophomore standing or above should appear as a soloist in at least one student recital or repertoire class each semester. Students in the BM program must do either a repertoire class performance or one student recital each semester.

Ensemble: As an ensemble experience, each student must participate in at least one large performing ensemble each semester. The following groups meet this requirement: symphonic band, concert band, marching band, opera workshop, orchestra, concert choir, or University chorus. Assignment to the performing ensemble(s) is to be made in consultation with the music major advisor and by audition. A MUSC 142 series course is the appropriate course in which to register.

Piano: All undergraduate students majoring in music must have basic facility in piano to graduate from the University. For students other than keyboard majors, completion of MUSC 14D meets this requirement.

Attendance/concerts-recitals: Each music major is required to attend a minimum of ten concerts and/or recitals each semester. Attendance is monitored electronically. Students may choose to earn academic credit for this requirement by enrolling in MUSC 100A as an elective.

Teacher Preparation: Teaching credential candidates must also complete the Professional Education Program in addition to the BM Music Education requirements. See the College of Education section of this catalog for admission procedures and consult the department credential advisor for details.

Marching Band: Wind and percussion majors who are credential candidates must include at least one semester of marching band (MUSC 142M) as their Large Performance Ensemble experience.

Program Requirements

Required Lower Division Core Courses (26 Units)
MUSC 3MIDI Sequencing and Notation2
MUSC 9Music In World Cultures 13
MUSC 10ASurvey of Music Literature I 13
MUSC 10BSurvey of Music Literature II 13
MUSC 10CSurvey of Music Literature III3
MUSC 11AMusic Theory I2
MUSC 11BMusic Theory II2
MUSC 11CMusic Theory III2
MUSC 12AMusicianship I2
MUSC 12BMusicianship II2
MUSC 12CMusicianship III2
Required Upper Division Core Courses (15 Units)
MUSC 104Contemporary Music Theory and Musicianship3
MUSC 109Instrumentation and Arranging3
MUSC 110Research in Music History 13
MUSC 142 series course 24
MUSC 151Fundamentals of Conducting2
Additional Requirements for Concentrations (30-35 Units)
Select one of the following six areas of concentration:30 - 35
Instrumental
Jazz Studies or Jazz Studies with Music Education Emphasis
Keyboard
Music Education
Theory/Composition
Voice
Total Units71-76
1

Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.

2

A course from the MUSC 142 series must be taken 4 times for a total of 4 units; each student is assigned to a specific MUSC 142 series course each semester as appropriate for their instrument/voice type and skill level

Concentration in Jazz Studies (35 units)

MUSC 14DBasic Piano for Majors1
MUSC 15Jazz Piano Class1
MUSC 43AJazz Improvisation I2
MUSC 43BJazz Improvisation II2
MUSC 50 series course 14
MUSC 108AJazz Arranging I2
MUSC 108BJazz Arranging II2
MUSC 118BAmerican Popular Music: Jazz History3
MUSC 140Jazz Theory and Harmony2
MUSC 143 series course 14
MUSC 150 series course 28
MUSC 161Jazz Pedagogy2
MUSC 185JSenior Recital Jazz2
Total Units35
1

Course must be repeated four times for a total of 4 units.

2

Course must be repeated four times for a total of 8 units.

Concentration in Jazz Studies with Music Education Emphasis (36 units)

MUSC 14DBasic Piano for Majors1
MUSC 15Jazz Piano Class1
MUSC 40 series course 14
MUSC 43AJazz Improvisation I2
MUSC 43BJazz Improvisation II2
Applied Music: Intermediate 12
MUSC 50 Jazz Applied: Intermediate 12
MUSC 150A Jazz Applied: Adv, Mus Ed Emphasis 24
MUSC 130Pedagogy of Music Theory and Musicianship3
MUSC 140Jazz Theory and Harmony2
MUSC 143 series course 14
MUSC 153Advanced Choral Conducting2
or MUSC 154 Advanced Instrumental Conducting
MUSC 161Jazz Pedagogy2
MUSC 162Foundations of Music Education2
MUSC 164Music in General Education2
MUSC 185ESenior Recital Music Education1
Total Units36
1

Course must be repeated two times for a total of 2 units.

2

Course must be repeated four times for a total of 4 units.

General Education Requirements1

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking3
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units)
B1 - Physical Science3
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5)1
B4 - Math Concepts3
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area C: Arts and Humanities (6 Units)
C1 - Arts 20
C2 - Humanities3
C1/C2 - Area C Course 20
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units)
Area D Course3
Area D Course3
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units)
Area E Course3
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units43
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Required in Major; also satisfies GE.

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History3
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI) 20
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE)3
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 36
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Required in Major; also satisfies Graduation Requirement.

3

If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html  

The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.

Music (Jazz Studies), BM: 4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
MUSC 4 Elements Of Music 2
MUSC 9 Music In World Cultures 3
MUSC 21 First Year Seminar: Becoming an Educated Person 3
MUSC 50 Jazz Applied: Intermediate 1
MUSC 142 Series - Large Performance Ensemble  
GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 3
GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
 Units15
Second Semester
MUSC 11A Music Theory I 2
MUSC 12A Musicianship I 2
MUSC 14B Basic Piano for Majors 1
MUSC 50 Jazz Applied: Intermediate 1
MUSC 142 Series - Large Performance Ensemble 3 1
GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 3
GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 3
GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 3
 Units16
Year 2
First Semester
MUSC 10A Survey of Music Literature I 3
MUSC 11B Music Theory II 2
MUSC 12B Musicianship II 2
MUSC 14C Basic Piano for Majors 1
MUSC 50 Jazz Applied: Intermediate 1
MUSC 142 Series - Large Performance Ensemble  
ENGL 20 College Composition II 3
Foreign Language Semester 1 2 4
 Units16
Second Semester
MUSC 3 MIDI Sequencing and Notation 2
MUSC 10B Survey of Music Literature II 3
MUSC 11C Music Theory III 2
MUSC 12C Musicianship III 2
MUSC 14D Basic Piano for Majors 1
MUSC 50 Jazz Applied: Intermediate 1
MUSC 142 Series - Large Performance Ensemble 3 1
Foreign Language Semester 2 2 4
 Units16
Year 3
First Semester
MUSC 10C Survey of Music Literature III 3
MUSC 43A Jazz Improvisation I 2
MUSC 109 Instrumentation and Arranging 3
MUSC 150 Jazz Applied: Advanced BM 2
MUSC 151 Fundamentals of Conducting 2
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 3
GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 1
 Units17
Second Semester
MUSC 15 Jazz Piano Class 1
MUSC 43B Jazz Improvisation II 2
MUSC 140 Jazz Theory and Harmony 2
MUSC 150 Jazz Applied: Advanced BM 2
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
 Units14
Year 4
First Semester
MUSC 108A Jazz Arranging I 2
MUSC 118B American Popular Music: Jazz History 3
MUSC 150 Jazz Applied: Advanced BM 2
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 3
 Units17
Second Semester
MUSC 104 Contemporary Music Theory and Musicianship 3
MUSC 108B Jazz Arranging II 2
MUSC 110 Research in Music History 3
MUSC 150 Jazz Applied: Advanced BM 2
MUSC 161 Jazz Pedagogy 2
MUSC 185J Senior Recital Jazz 2
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
 Units18
 Total Units129

 Music (Jazz Studies), BM: 2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
MUSC 14D Basic Piano for Majors 1
MUSC 43A Jazz Improvisation I 2
MUSC 109 Instrumentation and Arranging 3
MUSC 150 Jazz Applied: Advanced BM 2
MUSC 151 Fundamentals of Conducting 2
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
Elective of Choice 3
 Units14
Second Semester
MUSC 15 Jazz Piano Class 1
MUSC 43B Jazz Improvisation II 2
MUSC 140 Jazz Theory and Harmony 2
MUSC 150 Jazz Applied: Advanced BM 2
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units14
Year 2
First Semester
MUSC 108A Jazz Arranging I 2
MUSC 118B American Popular Music: Jazz History 3
MUSC 150 Jazz Applied: Advanced BM 2
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units17
Second Semester
MUSC 104 Contemporary Music Theory and Musicianship 3
MUSC 108B Jazz Arranging II 2
MUSC 110 Research in Music History 3
MUSC 150 Jazz Applied: Advanced BM 2
MUSC 161 Jazz Pedagogy 2
MUSC 185J Senior Recital Jazz 2
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
 Units15
 Total Units60

Music (Jazz Studies with Music Education Emphasis), BM: 4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
MUSC 4 Elements Of Music 2
MUSC 9 Music In World Cultures 3
MUSC 21 First Year Seminar: Becoming an Educated Person 3
Intermediate Applied Music - BA 3 1
MUSC 142 Series - Large Performance Ensemble 3 1
GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 3
GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
 Units16
Second Semester
MUSC 11A Music Theory I 2
MUSC 12A Musicianship I 2
MUSC 14B Basic Piano for Majors 1
Intermediate Applied Music - BA 3 1
MUSC 142 Series - Large Performance Ensemble 3 1
GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 3
GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 3
GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 3
 Units16
Year 2
First Semester
MUSC 10A Survey of Music Literature I 3
MUSC 11B Music Theory II 2
MUSC 12B Musicianship II 2
MUSC 14C Basic Piano for Majors 1
MUSC 50 Jazz Applied: Intermediate 1
MUSC 142 Series - Large Performance Ensemble 3 1
ENGL 20 College Composition II 3
Foreign Language Semester 1 2 4
 Units17
Second Semester
MUSC 3 MIDI Sequencing and Notation 2
MUSC 10B Survey of Music Literature II 3
MUSC 11C Music Theory III 2
MUSC 12C Musicianship III 2
MUSC 14D Basic Piano for Majors 1
MUSC 50 Jazz Applied: Intermediate 1
MUSC 142 Series - Large Performance Ensemble 3 1
Foreign Language Semester 2 2 4
 Units16
Year 3
First Semester
MUSC 10C Survey of Music Literature III 3
MUSC 40B Brass Methods 1
MUSC 43A Jazz Improvisation I 2
MUSC 109 Instrumentation and Arranging 3
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
MUSC 150A Jazz Applied: Advanced Mus Ed Emphasis 1
MUSC 151 Fundamentals of Conducting 2
GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 3
GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 1
 Units17
Second Semester
MUSC 15 Jazz Piano Class 1
MUSC 40P Percussion Methods 1
MUSC 43B Jazz Improvisation II 2
MUSC 140 Jazz Theory and Harmony 2
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
MUSC 150A Jazz Applied: Advanced Mus Ed Emphasis 1
MUSC Advanced Conducting (MUSC 153 or MUSC 154) 3 1
GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
 Units15
Year 4
First Semester
MUSC 40S String Methods 1
MUSC 130 Pedagogy of Music Theory and Musicianship 3
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
MUSC 150A Jazz Applied: Advanced Mus Ed Emphasis 1
MUSC 162 Foundations of Music Education 2
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Biological Sciences 2 3
 Units17
Second Semester
MUSC 40W Woodwinds Methods 1
MUSC 104 Contemporary Music Theory and Musicianship 3
MUSC 110 Research in Music History 3
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
MUSC 150A Jazz Applied: Advanced Mus Ed Emphasis 1
MUSC 161 Jazz Pedagogy 2
MUSC 164 Music in General Education 2
MUSC 185E Senior Recital Music Education 1
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
 Units17
 Total Units131

 Music (Jazz Studies with Music Education Emphasis), BM: 2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
MUSC 14D Basic Piano for Majors 1
MUSC 40B Brass Methods 1
MUSC 43A Jazz Improvisation I 2
MUSC 109 Instrumentation and Arranging 3
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
MUSC 150A Jazz Applied: Advanced Mus Ed Emphasis 1
MUSC 151 Fundamentals of Conducting 2
Foreign Language Semester 1 2 4
 Units15
Second Semester
MUSC 15 Jazz Piano Class 1
MUSC 40P Percussion Methods 1
MUSC 43B Jazz Improvisation II 2
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
MUSC 140 Jazz Theory and Harmony 2
MUSC 150A Jazz Applied: Advanced Mus Ed Emphasis 1
MUSC Advanced Conducting 3 2
Foreign Language Semester 2 2 4
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
 Units17
Year 2
First Semester
MUSC 40S String Methods 1
MUSC 130 Pedagogy of Music Theory and Musicianship 3
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
MUSC 150A Jazz Applied: Advanced Mus Ed Emphasis 1
MUSC 162 Foundations of Music Education 2
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
 Units14
Second Semester
MUSC 40W Woodwinds Methods 1
MUSC 150A Jazz Applied: Advanced Mus Ed Emphasis 1
MUSC 164 Music in General Education 2
MUSC 104 Contemporary Music Theory and Musicianship 3
MUSC 161 Jazz Pedagogy 2
MUSC 110 Research in Music History 3
MUSC 185E Senior Recital Music Education 1
MUSC 143 Series - Jazz Ensemble 3 1
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
 Units17
 Total Units63
1.

Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.

2.

Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.

3.

Please see an academic advisor for elective options.