Undergraduate Studies
Bachelor of Music Degree
B.M. Jazz Studies
Career Outlook
Colleges and universities everywhere have come to the understanding that
jazz music and related forms represent an important contribution to the
musical culture of the world. The innovators of jazz have been uniquely
American. With this in mind, UMD's School of Fine Arts and Department of
Music have committed energy and resources to jazz as an American Art form.
The Bachelor of Music degree with a major in Jazz Studies prepares the student
for a career in jazz and contemporary music. The curriculum will make students
aware of the rapid changes in vocational possibilities for the contemporary
musician. Students will participate in performance ensembles and additional
coursework which will develop skills in composing, arranging, analyzing,
and teaching of jazz music. Other career possibilities include performance
in theatres, nightclubs, tour bands, service bands, radio and television.
Educational Preparation
The Jazz Studies degree program mainstreams jazz students into the existing
music program, building upon a core curriculum in music which includes theory,
history, literature, and applied study. The students majoring in Jazz Studies
will specialize in jazz-related topics to prepare them for graduate-level
professional training or professional engagements. Course offerings include:
applied jazz lessons, jazz theory, jazz arranging and composition, jazz
improvisation, jazz pedagogy, jazz literature, music industry and jazz history.
Opportunities for Performance
Instrumental: UMD's bands include the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Concert
Band, and the Bulldog Pep Bands. There is a full symphony orchestra as well
as a chamber orchestra. The jazz bands include Jazz Ensemble I, which has
won Midwest competitions, several other jazz ensembles, a guitar ensemble,
and a number of jazz combos. Jazz ensemble 1 has a strong history of performance
excellence, including several award winning efforts. The annual Head of
the Lakes Jazz Festival provides the opportunity for students to perform
and work with internationally renowned jazz artists. Past clinicians have
included Toshiko Akiyoshi, Frank Foster, Rufus Reid, Bobby Shew, Jim McNeely,
Freddie Hubbard, Steve Turre, Randy Brecker, Slide Hampton, and Claudio
Roditi.
Vocal: UMD vocal ensembles include the University Singers, which tours internationally, Chamber Singers, Concert Chorale, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Opera Workshop, which presents a full opera production in the spring with orchestra.
Other Performance Opportunities: Auditions are open for both vocal and instrumental performers in UMD Theatre's musical productions. Selected UMD music majors also perform in the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Chorus, the Twin Ports Wind Ensemble or the Big Time Jazz Orchestra. Vocal students often participate in the church choirs of the community.
Click here for more information on Jazz @ UMD.
Click here for course catalogue information.
B.M. Music Education
Career Outlook
The Bachelor of Music degree with a major in music education provides students
with the knowledge, skills, and musicianship to become a vital, contributing
music educator. Within the music education major, students can choose a
vocal music or instrumental music teaching emphasis, which prepares the
student for many career possibilities: as a general music specialist in
the elementary school, as a junior or senior high band, orchestra, or choral
director in both public and parochial schools. With the addition of graduate
study, our alumni have had great success in attaining teaching positions
in colleges and universities.
Educational Preparation
Building upon a core curriculum in music which includes theory, history
and literature, ensemble performance, and applied study, the student majoring
in music education will also complete a a block of education courses which
leads to Minnesota Licensure (K-12). Students are placed in area schools
prior to student teaching to help them make certain a teaching career is
for them. Specialized study in conducting, classroom methods and instrumental
or choral techniques develops fundamental skills and leads students to a
thorough understanding of the unique personal and teacher-qualities needed
for a rewarding career as K-12 music educators.
Opportunities for Performance
Instrumental: UMD's bands include the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Concert
Band, and the Bulldog Pep Bands. There is a full symphony orchestra as well
as a chamber orchestra. The jazz bands include Jazz Ensemble I, which has
won Midwest competitions, several other jazz ensembles, a guitar ensemble,
and a number of jazz combos. Jazz ensemble 1 has a strong history of performance
excellence, including several award winning efforts. The annual Head of
the Lakes Jazz Festival provides the opportunity for students to perform
and work with internationally renowned jazz artists. Past clinicians have
included Toshiko Akiyoshi, Frank Foster, Rufus Reid, Bobby Shew, Jim McNeely,
Freddie Hubbard, Steve Turre, Randy Brecker, Slide Hampton, and Claudio
Roditi.
Vocal: UMD vocal ensembles include the University Singers, which tours internationally, Chamber Singers, Concert Chorale, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Opera Workshop, which presents a full opera production in the spring with orchestra.
Other Performance Opportunities: Auditions are open for both vocal and instrumental performers in UMD Theatre's musical productions. Selected UMD music majors also perform in the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Chorus, the Twin Ports Wind Ensemble or the Big Time Jazz Orchestra. Vocal students often participate in the church choirs of the community.
Click here for course catalogue information
Click here for useful links for Music Education Majors
Music Education Plans | pdf
B.M. Performance
Career Outlook
The Bachelor of Music degree with a major in performance prepares the student
for careers in a variety of fields. Students majoring in instrumental performance
may find employment in symphony orchestras, professional chamber ensembles,
one of the armed forces bands or jazz bands; performance opportunities such
as theatres, nightclubs, tour bands, cruise ships,; and teaching opportunities
in colleges, universities, and private studios. Students majoring in vocal
performance find employment possibilities on the classical stage (solo concerts,
oratorio, opera), the modern stage (musical theatre, vocal jazz, popular),
the recording or commercial studio, in radio or television, or as a church
soloist. They also may wish to teach in a college, university, or private
studio. Students majoring in Piano Performance will find many collaborative
career opportunities in accompanying, in opera, church, theater, ballet,
or in countless entertainment venues. Some pianists may wish to pursue a
career as a soloist. Organ Performance majors will usually seek a church
position. Both majors lead to many possibilities of teaching at the college
or university level as well as in the private studio.
Educational Preparation
Building upon a core curriculum in music which includes theory, history
and literature, ensemble performance, and applied study, students majoring
in music performance will spend many hours of practice in order to develop
the skills and musicianship necessary for outstanding performance. At UMD,
students will perform often in ensembles, in informal recitals and group
classes and in formal recitals. Most performance majors will attend graduate
school to further develop their performance abilities. At UMD, students
will perform in frequent informal group classes, informal recitals, and
in formal recitals.
Opportunities for Performance
Instrumental: UMD's bands include the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Concert
Band, and the Bulldog Pep Bands. There is a full symphony orchestra as well
as a chamber orchestra. The jazz bands include Jazz Ensemble I, which has
won Midwest competitions, several other jazz ensembles, a guitar ensemble,
and a number of jazz combos. Jazz ensemble 1 has a strong history of performance
excellence, including several award winning efforts. The annual Head of
the Lakes Jazz Festival provides the opportunity for students to perform
and work with internationally renowned jazz artists. Past clinicians have
included Toshiko Akiyoshi, Frank Foster, Rufus Reid, Bobby Shew, Jim McNeely,
Freddie Hubbard, Steve Turre, Randy Brecker, Slide Hampton, and Claudio
Roditi.
Vocal: UMD vocal ensembles include the University Singers, which tours internationally, Chamber Singers, Concert Chorale, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Opera Workshop, which presents a full opera production in the spring with orchestra.
Other Performance Opportunities: Auditions are open for both vocal and instrumental performers in UMD Theatre's musical productions. Selected UMD music majors also perform in the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Chorus, the Twin Ports Wind Ensemble or the Big Time Jazz Orchestra. Vocal students often participate in the church choirs of the community.
Click here for course catalogue information
B.M. Theory-Composition
Career Outlook
The Bachelor of Music degree with a major in theory-composition prepares
the student for careers as composers and music theorists. Over the course
of the four-year program, the student will be engaged in courses that were
designed to emphasize a deep exploration of the aesthetics and techniques
that can help develop their individual creative thought and provide direction
for further study. Students meet in forums for peer and instructor critique
and work towards public performances of their music.
Educational Preparation
Unique to our program is the New Music Festival, an annual program featuring
guest performers that specialize in contemporary music from across the country
and around the world. Students have the opportunity to compose pieces specifically
for these groups and receive professional-level performances of their works
in a reading workshop/recording session. By the time most theory-composition
students graduate, they have a portfolio of three or four recordings of
their ensemble pieces. Also, many of our students have had works performed
by the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra through their student composer
competition. Instructor-led preparation for all of these opportunities,
in addition to the core curriculum of harmony, counterpoint, orchestration,
form and analysis, and ensemble participation and studio lessons will prepare
the student for an active career as a composer and/or prepare them for further
academic studies.
Click here for course catalogue information
Bachelor of Arts
Music
The Bachelor of Arts Degree is designed to provide students with a broad and comprehensive understanding of music within a liberal arts context. Students will combine the major with a minor or second major in another academic field to create a truly unique and personalized academic program. This degree offers students many career options in music and/or related fields (e.g. arts administration, private studio teaching, or studio musicianship). Students may also continue to explore music study at the graduate level.
Click here for course catalogue information.
Music Minor
Jazz Studies
Click here for course catalogue information.
Music
Click here for course catalogue information.
For Information about music department programs and upcoming concerts, please call 218-726-8877
University of Minnesota Campuses