Master of Music in Jazz Studies

The Master of Music in Jazz Studies takes advantage of archival materials in the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers-Newark in addition to the jazz faculty at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Degree requirements are comparable to those listed for the M.M. in performance, but with modifications to meet the particular needs and goals of the jazz musician. Required course work includes at least one term of graduate improvisation and two terms of jazz composition and arranging.

Degree Requirements:

• Four semesters of the major instrument, one sixty-minute private lesson per week.
• One full recital containing no more than 60 minutes of music.
• Two semesters in small jazz combos and four semesters in large jazz ensemble.
• A jury at the end of every semester except the semester of the full recital.

Jury Requirements:

A program of between twelve and fifteen minutes of repertoire, chosen by the student and teacher together, must be presented for faculty evaluation.

At each jury the student is required:

• to demonstrate a high level of technical proficiency
• to perform the required repertoire by memory
• to perform with correct intonation and rhythmic accuracy
• to perform with stylistic understanding, using standard jazz forms and improved improvisational skills
• to sight read repertoire appropriate to the instrument.

Any Master of Music student who fails a jury will automatically be placed on artistic probation and will forfeit any music department scholarship funds. Artistic probation may be removed by the successful completion of the previously failed jury at the conclusion of the next semester. Two consecutive jury failures will result in dismissal from the Master of Music program.

Recital Requirements:

One month prior to the recital date there will be a recital hearing at which at least three faculty members must be present, including the student's major teacher. The entire program is to be memorized and ready for presentation at this time. Selections totaling approximately 20 minutes of time will be chosen by the faculty committee.

If, in the faculty's judgment, the program is not adequately prepared, the recital date must be postponed. A new recital date may not be scheduled until a subsequent hearing has been passed.

Recital Repertoire Requirements:

The program must include at least one blues number, one rhythm number, one ballad and two original compositions. One of the original compositions should be of a larger scope, incorporating other instruments, demonstrating orchestration skills and independent lines: three or four horns, with an intro, melody, solo backgrounds, interlude, and tutti. The repertoire must reflect a knowledge of different jazz styles and musical forms, and provide opportunity for demonstration of extensive improvisational skill. The recital should include a maximum of 60 minutes of music.