symphony

What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Music students must pass a qualifying examination specific to their concentration during their fourth semester of study. The rising junior jury determines whether the student has made adequate progress to qualify for entry to the 3000-level of applied music study. (4 years)

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Spring – November 15 (All concentrations except Conducting)
  • Summer – March 1 (Music Education concentration and non-degree programs only)
  • Fall – June 1 (All concentrations)

Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Jazz Studies, B.Mu.

This concentration develops competence in jazz performance, improvisation and knowledge of jazz history, develops professional competence in establishing, organizing and maintaining a high school or college-level jazz program and nurtures the creative talents of students in jazz arranging and composing.

The Jazz Studies program provides opportunities for students to participate in quality jazz organizations such as large jazz bands and jazz combos. In addition to the performance groups, students may supplement their playing by participating in some of the academic jazz courses such as jazz improvisation, jazz arranging and jazz pedagogy, etc.

The mission of the School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

Program Highlights
  • Our campus is in the heart of downtown Atlanta
  • We are part of a thriving, vibrant music scene
  • We emphasize small ensembles
  • You can study with Grammy award-winning and nominated faculty

Notable alumni include: Sam Skelton, Lizz Wright, Kenny Banks, Coy Bowles, Sonny Emory, Joe Gransden, Dave Engelhardt, James King, Gary Motley, Marcus Printup, Kevin Bales, Oliver Santana, Darren English

Program Details

A separate application to the School of Music is required. Students must submit any required pre-screening audition materials or portfolios and must complete in-person auditions to be accepted. These deadlines and audition dates can be found on the School of Music application landing page.

Prospective students applying for any Bachelor of Music degree program in any concentration (Performance, Composition, Jazz Studies, or Music Education,) or a Bachelor of Science degree in either concentration (Music Management or Music Production & Audio Recording,) must perform a live audition or submit a digital portfolio before beginning first-year coursework in music. Audition requirements are explained here.

B.Mu. in Music

Note: B.Mu. students must take a mixture of courses from Area F and Area G during 8 semesters of undergraduate study. First-year and second-year students must enroll in required MUS coursework to avoid a delayed graduation date.

B.Mu. courses to fulfill Critical Thinking Through Writing (CTW) requirement 

B.Mu. students take at least one of the following, as prescribed in concentration Area G requirements.

  • MUS 4810 Music History from the Classical Period to the Present-CTW (3)
  • MUS 4820 World Music-CTW (3)

Area C:

  • Recommended course: It is recommended that Bachelor of Music students complete three hours of Fine Arts with a lower-division music appreciation course.

Jazz Studies Concentration, Emphasis in Piano

Area F: Courses Related to the Major (18)

  1. Required Courses (8)
  2. MUS 10XX Appropriate large ensemble (4 semesters, 1 credit each) (4)*
    • MUS 1060 Wind Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1061 Wind Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1062 Concert Band (1)
    • MUS 1070 Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1080 Men’s Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1080A University Singers (1)
    • MUS 1081 Choral Union (1)
    • MUS 1082 Women’s Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1083 Master Singers (1)
    • MUS 1652 Perimeter College Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1654 Perimeter College Wind Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1656 DeKalb Symphony Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1754 Perimeter College Jazz Lab Band (1)
    • MUS 1756 Perimeter College Jazz Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1758 Perimeter College Chamber Ensembles (1)
      * Ensembles: please note that students are assigned to appropriate ensembles by pool auditions at the beginning of every fall and spring semester.
  3. Group Piano (2)
    • MUS 1710 Group Instruction in Piano I (1)
    • MUS 1720 Group Instruction in Piano II (1)
  4. Applied Lessons (four semesters)(4):
    • APJP 1001 Applied Music (1)
    • APJP 1002 Applied Music (1)
    • APJP 2001 Applied Music (1)
    • APJP 2002 Applied Music (1)

Area G: Major Courses (60)

  1. Performance Requirements (21-22)
    • APJP 3001 Applied Jazz Piano — Junior I (2)
    • APJP 3002 Applied Jazz Piano — Junior II (2)
    • APJP 4001 Applied Jazz Piano — Senior I (2)
    • APJP 4002 Applied Jazz Piano — Senior II (2)
    • MUS 4010 Performance Laboratory or MUS 3160 Jazz Combo (0/.5) (2 semesters)
    • MUS 3160 Jazz Combos (.5) (6 semesters)
    • MUS 3090 Jazz Band (1) (4 semesters)
    • MUS 3000 Recital I (0)
    • MUS 4000 Recital II (0)
    • MUS 2780 Beginning Jazz Improvisation I (1)
    • MUS 2790 Beginning Jazz Improvisation II (1)
    • MUS 4790 Advanced Jazz Improvisation I (1)
    • MUS 4791 Advanced Jazz Improvisation II (1)
    • MUS 4360 Advanced Keyboard Skills (2)
  2. Theory/Composition Requirements (15)
  3. Music History/Literature Requirements (11)
    • MUS 4800 Music History from Antiquity through the Baroque Period (3)
    • MUS 4810 Music History from Classical to the Present-CTW (3)
    • MUS 4820 World Music-CTW (3)
    • MUS 4850 Jazz Styles (2)
  4. Additional Course Requirements (3)
    • MUS 2010 The Music Business for Jazz Musicians (1)
    • MUS 4220 Jazz Ensemble Techniques (2)
  5. Choose (3) credit hours from the following:
    • MUA 3500 Jazz: Its Origins, Styles, and Influences (3)
    • MUS 4110 Instrumentation and Orchestration (3)
    • MUS 4730 Computer Applications in Music (2)
    • MUS 4770 Advanced Aural Skills I (1)
    • MTM 3010 Introduction to Music Industry (3)
  6. Electives (6-7) credit hours to complete a minimum of 120 hours.

Jazz Studies Concentration, Emphasis in Instrumental

Area F: Courses Related to the Major (18)

  1. Required Courses (8)
  2. MUS 10XX Appropriate large ensemble (4 semesters, 1 credit each) (4)*
    • MUS 1060 Wind Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1061 Wind Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1062 Concert Band (1)
    • MUS 1070 Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1080 Men’s Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1080A University Singers (1)
    • MUS 1081 Choral Union (1)
    • MUS 1082 Women’s Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1083 Master Singers (1)
    • MUS 1652 Perimeter College Chorus (1)
    • MUS 1654 Perimeter College Wind Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1656 DeKalb Symphony Orchestra (1)
    • MUS 1754 Perimeter College Jazz Lab Band (1)
    • MUS 1756 Perimeter College Jazz Ensemble (1)
    • MUS 1758 Perimeter College Chamber Ensembles (1)
      * Ensembles: please note that students are assigned to appropriate ensembles by pool auditions at the beginning of every fall and spring semester.
  3. Applied Lessons (four semesters) (6):
    • APXX 1001 Applied Music (1)
    • APXX 1002 Applied Music (1)
    • APXX 2001 Applied Music (2)
    • APXX 2002 Applied Music (2)

Area G: Major Courses (60)

  1. Performance Requirements (24-25)
    • APXX 3001 Applied Music — Junior I (2)
    • APXX 3002 Applied Music — Junior II (2)
    • APXX 4001 Applied Music — Senior I (2)
    • APXX 4002 Applied Music –Senior II (2)
    • MUS 4010 Performance Laboratory or Jazz Combo (0/.5) (2 semesters)
    • MUS 3160 Jazz Combos (.5) (6 semesters)
    • MUS 3090 Jazz Band (1) (4 semesters)
    • MUS 3000 Recital I (0)
    • MUS 4000 Recital II (0)
    • MUS 1710 Group Instruction in Piano I (1)
    • MUS 1720 Group Instruction in Piano II (1)
    • MUS 2710 Group Instruction in Piano III (1)
    • MUS 2720 Group Instruction in Piano IV(1)
    • MUS 2780 Beginning Jazz Improvisation I (1)
    • MUS 2790 Beginning Jazz Improvisation II (1)
    • MUS 4750 Jazz Piano Class (1)
    • MUS 4790 Advanced Jazz Improvisation I (1)
    • MUS 4791 Advanced Jazz Improvisation II (1)
  2. Theory/Composition Requirements (14)
  3. Music History/Literature Requirements (9)
    • MUS 4800 Music History from Antiquity through the Baroque Period (3)
    • MUS 4810 Music History from Classical to the Present-CTW (3)
    • MUS 4820 World Music-CTW (3)
  4. Additional Course Requirements (3)
    • MUS 2010 The Music Business for Jazz Musicians (1)
    • MUS 4220 Jazz Ensemble Techniques (2)
  5. Choose (3) credit hours from the following:
    • MUA 3500 Jazz: Its Origins, Styles, and Influences (3)
    • MUS 2490 Basic Conducting (2)
    • MUS 4110 Instrumentation and Orchestration (3)
    • MUS 4450 Advanced Tonal Analysis (3)
    • MUS 4460 Analysis of Post-Tonal Music (3)
    • MUS 4730 Computer Applications in Music (2)
    • MUS 4770 Advanced Aural Skills I (1)
    • MTM 3010 Introduction to Music Industry (3)
  6. Electives (6-7) to complete a minimum of 120 hours.

Applicants to the School of Music are automatically considered for talent-based scholarships. Program fees include locker, laboratory and recital expenses associated with certain programs, classes and degree requirements. Students registering for an Applied Music course will be charged an Applied Music fee. For each 1000-level Applied Music course, a $200.00 fee will be charged. For other Applied Music courses, a $350.00 fee will be charged.

The School of Music provides unparalleled opportunities to study and work among an inspiring community of musicians in one of America’s most vibrant urban centers. Students receive exceptional training, are provided with meaningful opportunities and begin serious careers no matter what type of music drives their passion.

  • Ensuring comprehensive exposure to an array of perspectives as represented by the various faculty approaches to music performance, music history, music theory and teaching styles.
  • Honoring the continuing traditions of music-making and pedagogy while exploring new forms and contemporary issues within the various musical fields.
  • Developing pedagogical skills and strategies through teaching assistantships for undergraduate-level courses.
  • Preparing students for a professional career in music through rigorous performance preparation, exposure to important repertoire and attention to practical business aspects of various musical careers.

Description

Careers

The mission of the School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

The undergraduate program leads students to career paths such as solo performance artists, composers, placement in prestigious professional classical, jazz and operatic ensembles, private, K-12, college music educators, scholars and entrepreneurs, among others.

Contacts

Admissions
[email protected]

Undergraduate Admissions
404-413-2500
[email protected]
Sparks Hall
Suite 200
33 Gilmer St. SE
Atlanta, GA 30303

School of Music
75 Poplar St, 5th floor
Atlanta, GA 30303

35 Broad St., 4th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.