Bachelor of Music in Performance Performance (Jazz)

Overview

What to expect

This four-year undergraduate jazz degree provides instruction in aural skills, harmony, jazz history, improvisation, rhythm, and a wide array of jazz, commercial, and global styles. Students acquire a deep understanding of Jazz,  including harmony, melody, improvisation, and arranging. Small class sizes, a closely knit community, and ample opportunities for collaboration across years highlight the program. Jazz students become creative, entrepreneurial performers who respect and understand the traditions of music while embracing future directions.


Why it stands out

Students join a community of exceptional, mutually supportive peers taught by accomplished faculty and distinguished guest performers. Weekly gatherings of students, faculty, and guest players are essential to the program. These are complemented with inspirational masterclasses that the entire Jazz community is a part of. There are also ample opportunities for students to explore courses offered outside of the Jazz idiom, across various subdisciplines within Music.


Who it's for

Students seeking careers as freelance performers, and/or private studio or institutional teachers are well suited for this degree. The program is ideal for curious, motivated, collaborative, and versatile students who are are passionate about music, demonstrate potential for musical growth, and are willing to take advantage of the many opportunities that are available to them. 

Outcomes

Opportunities for study

Students engage in private applied lessons, large and small ensembles, participate in masterclasses by resident and guest teachers offered through a Jazz lens, and benefit from a wide choice of electives. They acquire a thorough understanding of performance styles and literature.  Small classes, courses balancing theoretical and practical instruction, and ongoing mentorship are highlights of the program. Students are also encouraged to explore the richness of musical experiences offered. Core program requirements are complemented with an incredible breadth of fields across music, which speaks not only to music as an interdisciplinary practice, but to its relevance in society today. 

Paid professional work both on and off campus is facilitated through our Music Booking Office.


 


Opportunities after graduation

This program will train students to respond to the changing landscape in musical fields by preparing for a diverse set of career paths. Graduates typically pursue careers as solo, or ensemble players. Some build careers as artist-teachers or as leaders in arts organizations in which a broad musical background is an asset. 


Postgraduate opportunities

Students qualify to apply for admission to graduate jazz performance programs. Students also pursue a wide range of other programs after graduation, depending on their interests. Graduates could apply to pursue further study within Music, or professional programs such as business, medicine and law.

Curriculum

Bachelor of Music in Performance

20
Total Credits over 4 years
  • Core courses
  • Specialization courses
  • Music electives
  • Breadth electives

Course Details & Credit Requirements

Specialization Courses

Students are required to study Improvisation for a minimum of two years in the program. These courses examine the artistic and technical aspects of improvised jazz performance; analysis of improvised solos and group performances, approaches to practicing, developmental techniques and exercises, and general performance skills are covered. Students have the option of focusing on in-depth training in improvisation in their upper years, or choosing other electives of their choice.

Music & Breadth Electives

All programs require the completion of a specific number of Music Electives and Breadth Electives. A Music Elective is any Faculty of Music course (excluding Basic Music Courses) that is not required for a specific program. A Breadth Elective is a course offered by the Faculty of Arts & Science; however, up to one full credit of designated Music courses can be counted towards this requirement. Students have the opportunity to benefit from the diverse course offerings, that span different areas and traditions of music. Some examples include courses such as the the Business of Music, The 21st Century Creative Performer: An Interdisciplinary Inquiry to Performance and Performance Practice, Performance as a Freelance Artist in North America, Introduction to Computer Applications in Music to Japanese Taiko Drumming! Jazz performance students also have the option of completing their electives within the Jazz area, by choosing from a range of options - jazz composition, arranging (including advanced levels), improvisation, advanced ear training & harmony, and rhythm for improvisers.

Options within the Degree

Music: Certificates are offered in conjunction with a degree. Currently there are Certificates offered in Health Applications in Music, Music Technology, Popular Music Studies and Ethnomusicology, and Piano Pedagogy.

Currently there are Minor programs offered in History and Culture, Composition, and Historical Keyboard. (The Minor in Composition is not available to students in the Bachelor of Music in Composition.)

Arts & Science: Within the Breadth Electives, students have the option of completing requirements towards a Minor or a Major from the Faculty of Arts & Science, in a discipline that sparks their interest.

For further details on any of the above options, please refer to the Jazz Core Curriculum.

Visit our Jazz Area

Jazz trio in rehearsal in U of T's Upper Jazz studio.

The admission requirements include two components:

  • academic admission requirements
  • theory admission requirements

The application process is the same for all Jazz undergraduate programs:

  • review the application deadlines and save them to your calendar
  • follow the steps outlined on Apply to Degree Programs
  • prepare for your audition

Connect with the Admissions and Recruitment Team

We bring together the brightest researchers, educators, creators and performers. 

We welcome you to join us. 

A Student Ambassador tour guide holds a Tour sign, and poses for a picture with a U of T Music staff member.