Program Director
Dr. Joseph Carucci
Bliss Hall 3010
jwcarucci@ysu.edu
(330) 941-1439
Program Description
The Master of Music (M.M.) in Jazz Studies degree emphasizes collaborative interaction, individual creativity, musical proficiency, pedagogy, and cultural perspectives through a unique and comprehensive curriculum.
Collaboration is encouraged and realized through a balanced approach between small and large jazz and commercial ensemble experiences. Both applied instrument and composition study provide the students a guided opportunity to build their individual creativity. In addition, historical and cultural perspectives, as well as research skills, are addressed in the curriculum. The First Year Recital and the Second Year Recital are the capstone experiences of the degree. Students are expected to perform and improvise music which includes original compositions and/or arrangements. Students are encouraged to record studio and live performances for inclusion in a portfolio or publication on the internet.
Our M.M. in Jazz Studies graduates have performed with the U.S. Navy Commodores Jazz Band, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Buddy Rich, Tommy Dorsey, Harry Connick Jr., Glenn Miller, Néstor Torres, Joe Lovano, Christine McBride, Lionel Hampton, Art Blakey, Chuck Mangione, Blood, Sweat, & Tears, The Eagles, Max Weinberg, Barry Manilow, and many more.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants for admission to graduate study in the Master of Music degree must present a baccalaureate degree in music from an accredited college or university. Admission requires a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Jazz Studies requires an audition as well as examples of original compositions and arrangements.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and work critically with historical information (MUHL). Assessment: MUHL 6946 course-based project
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of specialized knowledge of at least one aspect of Music Theory (MUTC). Assessment: Final exam in MUTC 6936 or MUTC 6935
- Students will demonstrate the ability to write in a scholarly manner about their area of specialization within music. Assessment: Final Project in MUHL 6960
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in their applied and composition areas. Assessment: First and second year RECITAL of 25 minutes and 50 minutes of music, respectively.
- Successful completion of 30 semester hours and all requirements specific to each degree.
- Students in Performance, Music Composition, and Music Education will take core courses in Music and Society (6980), Graduate Analysis (6922), and Research in Music (6960).
- In performance degrees, students will also take applied lessons, ensembles, and two seminar electives. Performance degrees will culminate in a 50-minute recital. Candidates in Voice Performance are expected to be proficient in two foreign languages or else take two semesters each of two different languages (Italian, French, or German).
- The degree requires two 50-minute recitals.
- Students must maintain a minimum grade-point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) to remain in “good standing.” Any course grade of D or F must be repeated and passed with a grade of A or B and no more than 6 semester hours of coursework with a grade of C may count toward the minimum graduation hour requirements.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 12 | |
| Research in Music | ||
| Selected Topics in Jazz History | ||
| Graduate Analysis | ||
| Music and Society | ||
| Applied Lessons | 13 | |
| Ensembles | 5 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 30 | |
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Lessons (select a total of 13 S.H. of the following) | 13 | |
Students should take 6901, 6902 and 6903 on instrument or voice. Applied lessons are offered on: Bassoon (BASS), Baritone Horn (BHFN), Cello (CELL), Clarinet (CLAR), Flute (FLUT), French Horn (FHRN), Guitar (GUIT), Oboe (OBOE), Percussion (PERC), Piano (PIAN), Saxophone (SAX), String Bass (SBSS), Trombone (TROM), Trumpet (TRUM), Tuba, Viola (VIOL), Violin (VION), Voice (VOIC). For example: | ||
| Piano | ||
| Piano | ||
| Piano | ||
| Advanced Composition | ||
| Advanced Composition | ||
| Ensembles (select a total of 5 S.H of the following) | 5 | |
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Jazz Combo | ||