Jazz Studies: Performance (BM) 

• Program Description
• Admission and Audition Requirements
• Ensemble Requirements
• Candidacy Examination
• Piano Proficiency
• Performance Requirements
• Degree Requirements
• Required Courses

Program Description

Webster offers the bachelor of music (BM) with an emphasis in performance or music technology for vocalists and instrumentalists. The Webster jazz studies program is based around the small group performing experience. Students participate in jazz combos and other ensembes in addition to an academic curriculum that balances courses in jazz and classical music instruction.

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Admission and Audition Requirements

To be admitted as an undergraduate music major or music minor, applicants must complete an in-person audition/interview with the music faculty and complete various diagnostic examinations. Auditions are arranged through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Specific information on the audition requirements for each music degree program is available from the department’s website. Priority consideration for performance scholarships is given to students who complete all admission requirements before March 30 of the application year.

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Ensemble Requirements

Each of the undergraduate degree programs in music includes multiple semesters of participation in a major ensemble. De-pending upon specific degree requirements, the major ensembles include Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble (combo), Jazz Singers, Big Band, and New Music Ensemble.

Music scholarship students are expected to participate in performing ensembles in addition to those for which they receive credit. In general, music majors are expected to participate in at least two ensembles per semester.

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Candidacy Examination

Each undergraduate music major must take a Candidacy Examination in spring of the sophomore year or upon completion of 45 or more credit hours as music majors (whichever comes first). The Candidacy Examination assesses a student's success in the first two years of music study. The examination helps the music faculty determine a student's potential for graduation within a given degree program.

The examination includes the performance of one or more works and an interview with the faculty. While most students declare their intention from their first semester (BM in performance, BA in music, and so on), no student is actually accepted into the department as a major until the Candidacy Examination is completed successfully.

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Piano Proficiency

Each undergraduate music major in a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education must demonstrate proficiency on the piano keyboard.  Proficiency is demonstrated by 1) successfully passing MUSC 2085, or 2) successfully completing the Music Education piano proficiency exam, or 3) successfully playing a piano proficiency exam for a panel of piano instructors during the sophomore or junior year.

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Performance Requirements

Much of the music that we make is collaborative in nature, with a mix of keyboard, wind, brass, string, and percussion instruments, and voices. So that performance majors develop an ability to work with others beyond an accompanist, all performance majors presenting junior and senior recitals will include on each recital or in a Thursday student recital at least one 3-minute work that includes collaboration with a performer other than or in addition to piano. Works longer than 3 minutes are encouraged.

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Degree Requirements

• 88 required credit hours
• 12 general election credit hours
• 28 elective credit hours

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Required Courses

Major Ensemble — 8 hours over eight semesters to be selected from the following:

The Department of Music recommends at least 40 credit hours in courses outside the department. Music majors with an emphasis in jazz studies will also spend time as performance assistants for recitals.

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