Jazz Studies Student Handbook

UNT College of Music

Address: 1155 Union Circle #311367 Denton, TX 76203-5017

Email: music.information@unt.edu

Phone: (940) 565-2791

UNT Division of Jazz Studies

Address: 1155 Union Circle #311367 Denton TX 76203-5017

Email: jazz.unt.edu

Phone: (940) 565-3743

UNT Web Site

UNT Catalogs

Student Information Portal

Division of Jazz Studies Canvas Page

Please refer to the Schedule of Classes website, which contains links to the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs for each year.

Current degrees offered:

• BM in Jazz Studies
• MM in Jazz Studies
• DMA in Performance or Composition with a concentration in Jazz Studies

Undergraduate Catalog:

1. Click the Undergraduate Catalog link.
2. Looking at the menu on the left side, scroll down to "College of Music". Click the link.
3. Browse the information; Scroll down to "Display programs for College of Music"
4. Click the listing titled, "Jazz Studies (instrumental, arranging or vocal emphasis), BM"

Graduate Catalog:

1. Click the Undergraduate Catalog link.
2. Looking at the menu on the left side, scroll down to "College of Music". Click the link.
3. Browse the information; Scroll down to "Display programs for College of Music"
4. Click the listing titled, "Jazz Studies, MM" or "Performance, DMA"

The most current information is found on the faculty and contact pages.

Bulletin boards are located outside Lab West (room 282), the Office of Jazz Studies (room 284), and the Jazz Chamber Music Room (room 292), and on the doors of 282, 263, and 262. It is important to check the boards of your private lesson instructor and those teachers you have a class with. Do not tape posters to walls or doors. Use the bulletin boards or poster rails.

Make sure you are also connected to the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page. Click the link to self-enroll.

The goal of these policies is to ensure that the rooms and equipment are kept in good order so that we can concentrate on making music.

Jazz Studies majors (and other students who have been given permission by the chair of Jazz Studies) are welcome to schedule rehearsal time in 262, 263, and 292 with at least 24 hours notice using the College of Music room reservation system. The rehearsal must be scheduled after regular classes and ensemble rehearsals have ended.

Here is a link to ScheduleFM, which is used to request room reservations: https://schedulefm.com/untcom/request/login.cfm.

After 5:00 pm and on weekends, Jazz Studies majors are welcome to use 262, 263, and 292 if the room is available. Students must present their UNT IDs to the Copy Room attendant(s) located diagonally from room 292. The monitor will verify Jazz Studies status using the procedure below, keep the ID, and let student into the room. After the room use, the student will return to the copy room, and will receive the ID back.

Lab West (282) can be used by students when it is not in use for classes, rehearsals, concerts, or other activities. Lab West (282) should remain locked. The only exception is for dress rehearsals scheduled as a part of a degree recital scheduling request.Food and drink are not permitted at any time in Lab West (282), except for musicians on the tile floor area, who may have water.

Drum sets and drum set hardware must be locked in the cabinet at the end of the rehearsal. This also applies to drum set use for scheduled classes and rehearsals under faculty supervision. The only time that the drum set and hardware can be left out is if the next drummer is there and ready to take responsibility for the equipment.

Guitar amps and bass amps must be locked in the cabinet at the end of the rehearsal.

Students may not have access to the amp closet in 262 and should not ask the monitors to open it. Only faculty and TFs who have been issued a key to it may open it.

When you are finished, the rooms must be returned to their default setup so they are ready for the next class use.
Please check these things:
1. Stereo off
2. 262: amp closet locked; 263 door to middle room locked; 292: sound system and lights off, door locked; Lab West: loading dock door and door to middle room locked
3. Drumset and drumset hardware locked up
4. Bass and guitar amp locked
5. Piano lid closed
6. Lab West: concert piano covered and off to the side, rehearsal piano in its correct position
7. Any drinks or food in 262, 263 or 292 properly disposed of (no drinks or food are allowed in Lab West except water for performers)
8. Video projector is off (can be used to conduct classes or with special permission) and screen is up
9. Chairs are where they should be for class setup (see photos below)
10. No instruments or equipment left in the room. This includes instruments you own and instruments that belong to UNT.
11. Lights off
12. Door locked

The photos below show how each room should be left when you are finished.

262

263

Lab West

Sightreading material is widely available online in the form of solo transcriptions or etudes.

Denton is located within the jurisdiction of local 72-147, American Federation of Musicians. Some students opt to join.
For information, see their website: www.musiciansdfw.org.

Any current UNT student is welcome to audition for Lab Band. Students who major in Jazz Studies are required to audition each long semester.

In all, an undergraduate Jazz Studies major (Instrumental Performance and Arranging) must earn a minimum of six credits in Lab Band (in addition to two credits in another lab). Four Lab Band credits must be earned during long (fall or spring) semesters. The remaining two may be earned from summer Lab Band.

Graduate students majoring in Jazz Studies must complete at least one long semester (fall or spring semester) in Lab Band. Starting in summer 2019, graduate students may not apply summer lab band credits to degree requirements. The two lab credits required by the master's and doctoral degrees must be earned in the fall or spring semester, and at least one of them must be in a lab band (for instrumentalists) or vocal lab (for vocalists).

Undergraduate and graduate students who are receiving a scholarship are required to participate in a lab.

Visit the Registration & Auditions page to see updated audition information and requirements.

Attendance: Substitutes may be sent a maximum of three times during a semester (six times for students who play four times a week) according to the following guidelines:

1. The substitute is qualified (currently enrolled at North Texas, preferably playing in an adjacent band (one higher or lower).
2. Twenty-four hours advance notice must be given, except in the case of a verifiable illness or emergency.
3. The music folder must be at the rehearsal.
4. All other absences will lower the student's semester grade. In addition, there are on- and off-campus performances scheduled for the Lab Bands throughout each semester. Attendance for these performances and related dress rehearsals is mandatory.

Punctuality: Be on time for all rehearsals and performances. This means set up, warmed up, seated and ready to play. Tardiness will lower your grade.

Preparation and Equipment: 

1. For rehearsals:
   • Trumpets - Flugelhorn double, cup, harmon and plunger mutes
   • Trombones - Cup and plunger mutes
   • Saxophones - Soprano saxophone, flute and clarinet doubles. Lead Alto must bring piccolo when needed.Baritone Sax should have access to bass clarinet, bringing it when needed
   • Guitar/Bass - All necessary patch cords and effects
   • Drum set - cymbals, bass drum pedal, sticks, brushes and mallets
2. For performances: Appropriate dress, as determined before each performance.
3. For sectionals: All section leaders should hold frequent sectional rehearsals.
4. Music Folders: Charts and folders are the responsibility of each student. Music must be properly cared for and brought to all rehearsals and performances. A fee of $1.00 per double page will be charged for the replacement of all lost parts. A fee of $50.00 for any lab band folder that is lost.

Syndicate performances: Students who are performing with Jazz Studies ensembles at the Syndicate in the University Union who are of legal drinking age may only have an alcoholic beverage after their ensemble has finished performing. No alcoholic beverages are to be taken onto the bandstand.

The guitar ensembles are some of the many diverse performing groups at UNT. In these ensembles, guitarists have the unique opportunity to rehearse and perform in a section of five or more guitars. This helps the student focus on reading skills, ensemble blend, group articulations, comping and soloing. Currently, there are two ensembles with instrumentations of five guitars, bass and drums. The L-5 and the Super 400 perform arrangements by current and former students and faculty in a variety of jazz styles. They are directed by UNT Jazz Guitar faculty and graduate teaching fellows. Auditions: Visit the Registration & Auditions page for audition information including material, location, and sign-up sheets.

There are currently four vocal jazz ensembles in the Jazz Division at UNT:

• UNT Jazz Singers (MULB 1820.501/MULB 5174.523)
• Avenue C (MULB 1820.502/MULB 5174.524)
• Third Street (MULB 1820.503/MULB 5174.525)
• West End (MULB 1820.504/MULB 5174.526)

All four ensembles are open to any registered UNT student (regardless of major), on the basis of live auditions held at the beginning of each semester. For more information, visit the Vocal Jazz Ensemble auditions page.

UNT's premiere Jazz trombone ensemble, directed by Nick Finzer and assisted a graduate teaching fellow. Rhythm section players may earn a lab credit for playing in U-Tubes.

This class is not currently offered. It was designed to focus on specific topics that relate to the rhythm section in a small jazz group. Some of these are: group communication, individual instrument roles (piano and guitar comping techniques, bass lines, whether to "break it up", etc.), performance styles (ballads, medium tempo "tippin'" grooves, jazz waltz, up tempo burners, free playing, latin, etc.), and classic rhythm section analysis (early New Orleans, Basie, early bebop, post bop, Miles' ensembles of the '50s and '60s, Oscar Peterson, Wes Montgomery, etc.). There are four or five groups formed for the class (usually composed of piano, guitar, bass and drums) that rehearse and perform for critique and videotaping. Admission in the course is by consent of the instructors.

UNT Student Activities oversees the registration and approval process for student organizations.  To learn more about student organizations, including registration of groups, visit the Division of Student Affairs' Student Organizations website.

The Jazz Studies curriculum leads to the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, with areas of specialization in Instrumental Performance, Jazz Arranging, and Vocal Performance. Degree plans for each of these areas (outlined by semester) are found here under "Semester-by-Semester Plans": https://music.unt.edu/resources/students/advising/index.html. Each jazz major is individually responsible for following the degree plan written for his/her area of specialization, and seeking advice regularly from the College of Music undergraduate advising office.

PROGRAM GPA: For the course to count towards the degree, a minimum grade of B is required for all jazz studies courses in the major.

This policy is supported by the resolution passed by the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee on 6 May 2015, which states that programs may require "a minimum grade per course for a major and its supporting field."

Students are responsible for the prerequisites of each course for which they enroll, and for being prepared for placement, continuation and proficiency examinations, as listed in this handbook, and in the Undergraduate Catalog.

The Jazz Studies program awards performance and arranging scholarships on a competitive basis. These awards also reduce the out-of-state tuition to in-state rates. Applications with references must be sent in and an audition must be performed in one of three ways:

1. In person - a live audition may be performed on one of the College of Music audition dates that are published each year.
2. By appointment - a live audition may be performed during a visit to campus at a time other than the published audition dates (by contacting the Instructor).
3. 3. By recording. See the Jazz Studies website for the specific requirements for each instrument.
4. For complete information on scholarships and appropriate application forms visit the College of Music Website and the Jazz website.

Note: Scholarship renewals depend upon a Grade Point Average of 3.0 Minimum (Undergrad), 3.5 minimum (Graduate) in music courses for the academic year and acceptable progress on your instrument.

All Jazz Studies majors are expected to audition for a jazz lab every long semester they are enrolled. All students who perform in a jazz lab must be appropriately enrolled in that lab. See Jazz Laboratories, section 10.

Undergraduate students who are receiving a scholarship are required to participate in a lab.

The most current recital guidelines are linked here in this PDF. Please note that the MUJS 4720 capstone recital requires program notes, which must be reviewed by the student's major professor(s) before they are distributed. Recital programs are also required.

The College of Music provides digital programs. Your program information is due three weeks before the date of your recital. All programs (junior, senior, MM, DMA, GAC, guest artist, faculty, ensemble) are due to the College of Music Program Office (MU241) 3 weeks prior to the event and should be submitted through the Event Program Submission Portal. This page also contains information designed to help you gather the required information for the program. You are responsible for researching dates of composers and compositions and proofreading the information for accuracy. Please include complete information on the performers and instruments.

Information required: title of piece, year of composition, composer name, composer birth and/or death years (for each piece/composer) and, if applicable, movements to be performed. Completed digital programs can be retrieved at https://music.unt.edu/scheduling/concert-programs.

Current, former, retired, and adjunct faculty members may not participate in student degree recitals. Guest artists are not permitted in student degree recitals.

1. A senior recital is required of all Jazz Studies degree candidates. Two or more candidates must share a recital.
2. Each candidate must first have passed the Final Improvisation Proficiency Exam.
3. Senior recitals may be given at any time during a long semester; however, the date must be scheduled before the end of the seventh week of classes.
4. The Jazz Recital Guidelines, available in this student handbook, contain a complete checklist of procedures, requirements and deadlines.

To continue past the second semester of (MUJS 3620) into the third semester (MUJS 4610), the student's semester grade from MUJS 3620 must be A. Otherwise, students with a lower grade (B only) must take the Arranging Continuation Exam (ACE) which is administered by the Professor of Jazz Composition and Arranging. They must also demonstrate adequate keyboard proficiency by performing "Stella By Starlight" on piano in a ballad style. The performance must include a full texture of sound (melody, bass, contrapuntal harmonic support). In lieu of the piano performance, a student can provide a good MIDI demo of a personal composition or arrangement. It must include a full representation of the rhythm section instruments that normally support the writing for horns. String players and vocalists may submit their creative projects for ensembles related to their performance context. The results of the exam and audition will determine whether the student is qualified to progress to the Advanced Arranging courses.

Students that have established a prowess for jazz writing may be allowed to change their status to become a jazz major with an emphasis in arranging. This decision must be determined no later than the completion of the sophomore level of study. Before doing so, the student should realize that this track requires significantly more time than the typical performance major since most of the requirements for instrumental performance still apply (including the successful completion of the jazz improvisation exams.

A formal written application must be filled out and approved via signatures from the student's applied performance professor, the Professor of Jazz Composition and Arranging, and the Chair of the Division of Jazz Studies.

In preparation for this transition, the student must present a portfolio of compositions and arrangements that show substantial potential beyond the limited writing production of a typical jazz performance major. It should include one complete arrangement for big band. The portfolio will then be evaluated by the Professor of Jazz Composition and Arranging. The student must also demonstrate a reasonable facility at the keyboard by performing Stella by Starlight from memory (contact the Professor of Jazz Composition and Arranging for an appointment).

Upon acceptance, the student must take the following advanced courses:

• Advanced Jazz Arranging (MUJS 4610 and 4620)
• Counterpoint (MUTH 3410)
• Classical Composition (MUCP 3080)
• Conducting (MUAG 3800)

The student will also change his/her applied area of instruction from performance to arranging; a minimum of three semesters of private study is required in order to present a satisfactory senior recital in this area. The first two semesters are dedicated to the bulk of the writing; at least two pieces (one large, one small) are to be written in each semester. The final semester is dedicated to one more piece and preparation for the recital.

The senior recital will consist of the following minimum:

• Two pieces for big band (contrasting moods or styles)
• Three pieces for various chamber groups - a 3-horn arr, a 4-horn arr, a 5-horn arr.

The five pieces must total at least 25 minutes of performed music and improvisation cannot constitute more than 40% of the written music. There must be a comprehensive representation of styles: swing, be-bop, modal, ballad, Latin, Brazilian, original (modern day).

Students should be aware that some of their required courses are only offered in either fall or spring semester and therefore should plan to register accordingly.
MUJS 1131 - Jazz Performance Fundamentals (Barnes) - Fall only
MUJS 1132 - Jazz Performance Fundamentals (Eckert) - Spring only
MUJS 3120/5120 - Vocal Jazz Techniques (Eckert) - Fall; (Barnes) - Spring only
MUJS 3620/5620 - Jazz Arranging II (Vocal Section - Barnes) - Spring only
MUJS 3900/5900 - Vocal Pedagogy for Non-Classical Styles (Eckert) - Spring only
MUJS 3920/5920 - Songwriting (Eckert) - Fall only
MUJS 4120 - Vocal Jazz Styles (Barnes) - Fall only
MUJS 5490 - Advanced Jazz Improvisation (Barnes) - Fall only

A sample "Semester-By-Semester Plan" can be found on the College of Music Advising website.

Prerequisites and Eligibility
A degree recital is required of all candidates for the Master of Music in Jazz Studies degree. Once you have met the prerequisites, you may enroll in MUJS 5535 with the permission of the professor who supervises your track. If you are in the performance track, this is your applied lesson professor. For the composition track, this is the Professor of Jazz Composition and Arranging. 

• In the composition track, students must pass the Graduate Arranging Proficiency Exam (a portfolio review supervised by the Professor of Jazz Composition and Arranging. MUJS 5535 consists of private lessons leading up to your recital of compositions and arrangements.
• In the performance track, MUJS 5535 consists of private lessons leading up to your performance recital.

Since MUJS 5535 is a class, the primary policy document for it is your syllabus. This document should be considered a supplement to the syllabus.

Procedures
Once a candidate has met the prerequisites he or she may begin planning a recital.
The following steps are required:

1. Register for MUJS 5535.
2. Work with your professor to decide the content of the recital.
3. Select a recital committee (see below).
4. Schedule the recital in consultation with your major professor(s) and recital committee. Coordinate with your major professor(s) first, then the other two faculty members on your recital committee. This is not the same as your comprehensive oral exam panel; they are two separate entities. See section 3.19, Master's Comprehensive Exam, for more details regarding the comprehensive oral exam panel.
5. Book your recital. Jazz degree recitals may only be presented Monday through Thursday at 8 p.m. in Lab West. Recitals cannot conflict with other Jazz Studies performances or other College of Music performances of a similar nature. Instructions to book a recital can be found at this link to ScheduleFM Scheduling and Room Reservation instructions.

Recital Committee
Master's students will arrange to have three faculty members on their recital committee. This will include their major professor(s) as well as two additional faculty members. It is important that they work with their major professor(s) first to agree on possible dates. Next, they should contact other faculty members who will agree to serve on their committee. This is committee is not the same as the comprehensive oral exam panel; they are two separate entities. See section 3.19, Master's Comprehensive Exam, for more details regarding this.

Program and Recital Performance
The responsibility to ensure that the recital is carried out within the guidelines of the Jazz Studies Division is shared by the student and their major professor(s). The recital content will be chosen in consultation with their major professor(s). For performance recitals, the program should reflect a variety of current and historical styles. For composition, consult with your major professor(s) about content. The notes must be reviewed by the professor before they are distributed.

The recital should last between 45 and 60 minutes. The performance area should be neat and attractive. Lab West must be left set up and ready for lab band rehearsal. You are encouraged to ask friends to help with setup and striking, which includes getting the room ready for lab band rehearsal.

Instrument
You must perform on your principal instrument, which is the one you use in your applied lessons and improvisation classes. If you wish to perform on an additional instrument, you must get written permission in advance from the Jazz Studies faculty member who teaches that instrument. The program selections on which you wish to perform on an additional instrument must be clearly indicated on your proposed program. Your recital advisor must approve of the performance on an additional instrument, and a faculty member who teaches that instrument must approve and sign the recital form to indicate the approval.

Memorization requirement
Candidates must perform from memory. Student performers other than the degree candidate may read from parts.

Faculty performance on recitals
Members of the faculty (current or former), including professors, lecturers, and adjunct instructors, may not perform on degree recitals.

Recording and sound reinforcement
A recording of the recital must be made, either by the UNT College of Music Recording Services or a service contracted by the students. The recording should be available for review by the committee on request. If Jazz Studies division sound reinforcement equipment is used, it must be used under the supervision of the major professor(s).

Programs
Recital programs are required. The College of Music provides digital programs. Your program information is due three weeks before the date of your recital. All programs (junior, senior, MM, DMA, GAC, guest artist, faculty, ensemble) are due to the College of Music Program Office (MU241) 3 weeks prior to the event and should be submitted to3 weeks prior to the event and should be submitted through the Event Program Submission Portal. This page also contains information designed to help you gather the required information for the program. You are responsible for researching dates of composers and compositions and proofreading the information for accuracy. Please include complete information on the performers and instruments. Recitals must have program notes written by the recitalist.

Information required: title of piece, year of composition, composer name, composer birth and/or death years (for each piece/composer) and, if applicable, movements to be performed. Completed digital programs can be retrieved at https://music.unt.edu/scheduling/program-archives.

Dress
Concert attire should meet professional expectations that are appropriate for a degree recital. Consult with your faculty advisors in advance on this matter.

If you have a question about your recital that is not answered here, please check with your major professor(s).

Admission into second bachelor's degree status in Jazz Studies is possible only in one of two strictly defined situations:

1. A student who already has a completed bachelor's degree in a major other than jazz studies who wishes to earn a complete second bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies. Students admitted under this condition will be ineligible to enter the M.M. in Jazz Studies degree program while working towards the Second Bachelor's degree. At the completion of the Second Bachelor's degree, the student will be eligible to apply for the M.M. in Jazz Studies. Admission to the M.M. in Jazz Studies is not automatic for students who complete the B.M. in Jazz Studies.
2. A student who successfully auditions for the M.M. in Jazz Studies, but who is required take additional English language study in order to successfully demonstrate English language proficiency. Students admitted under this condition must follow this sequence of actions:
   • Audition successfully for admission to the M.M. in Jazz Studies
   • Complete English language instruction at a level that enables admission to UNT
   • After completing English language study, audition again with a Jazz Studies faculty member for admission to the M.M. in Jazz Studies. Meet all requirements for admission to the M.M. in Jazz Studies, including passing either the GRE Analytical Writing Exam or the Jazz Studies In-House Writing Exam. There are three possible outcomes of this audition and exam:
3. Admission to the M.M. in Jazz Studies
4. Denial of admission to the M.M. in Jazz Studies and denial of permission to continue in Second Bachelor's status. In this case, the student's work in Jazz Studies in any status would stop.
5. Permission to remain in Second Bachelor's status for a maximum of one additional year, during which the student will take undergraduate courses under the supervision of the Jazz Studies Chair/Graduate Advisor. At the end of this year, there will be another audition and a review of academic progress.
   • There are two possible outcomes of this audition and review:
     1. Admission to the M.M. in Jazz Studies
     2. Denial of admission to the M.M. in Jazz Studies and denial of permission to continue in Second Bachelor's status. In this case, the student's work in Jazz Studies in any status would stop.

Teaching fellowships and assistantships are awarded to qualified graduate students within the Division of Jazz Studies.
 
Criteria for the selection of Teaching Assistants/Teaching Fellows in Jazz Studies includes any number of the following:

• The recommendation of a Division of Jazz Studies faculty member.
• Outstanding musicianship: Must demonstrate a high level of skill.
• Communication skills: Ability to communicate effectively and give/receive direction at a high level.
• For Lab Band directors: Completion of Conducting College Jazz Ensembles (MUJS 5470), or equivalent experience. Exceptions must be approved by the Chair of Jazz Studies.

See Sections 5.4 - 5.8 of the Faculty Handbook for more information regarding Teaching Assistant/Teaching Fellow requirements from the College of Music.

Each student in the master's program must file a degree plan once they have earned 12 graduate hours towards the degree. Srudents are invited to file it before then as well.

Students will need a copy of the letter or email that stated their jazz studies leveling courses assigned after the review of their transcript and the results of their GPE exams (which is in the gradebook of the GPE organization on Canvas). If they do not have those documents, they can request copies from the Office of Graduate Studies. They'll also need to refer to tjeor transcript.

The degree plan form is a PDF that you type into in Adobe Reader or Acrobat, then submit. It might not work correctly if you do it in another PDF reader or in a browser. This is the degree plan PDF.

At the same time students submit the degree plan form, they must also submit the Committee Designation Form, which is linked to this page on the Graduate Studies site. While they completing this form, students can enter the following:

• For Degree Sought, enter: M.M.
• For Major, enter: Jazz Studies;
• Leave Related Field blank.

The committee members are the student's major professor(s), the department chair, and a full-time jazz studies faculty member, preferably an individual you have had classes with.

1. Meet the university and College of Music requirements for graduate admission.
2. Play an audition that demonstrates technical and improvisational skill at the level of MUJS 3360. See Graduate Improvisation Entrance Exam, below.
3. Submit manuscripts (and recordings) that demonstrate arranging skill equivalent to the level of MUJS 3620. See section 3.14 - Graduate Improvisation Course Placement of the catalog.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge of Jazz History by the grade of B or better in MUJS 4470 Jazz History, or by taking the Jazz History Proficiency Examination.

The required six hours of elective credit need to be 5000-level courses, in music, but not a MUJS course and not a jazz studies lab or ensemble.

Options include:

• MUCE - Music Careers and Entrepreneurship courses
• MUET - Ethnomusicology courses
• MUET 5030 - Music Cultures of the World
• MUET 5050 - Music of Africa
• MUET 5060 - African American Music
• MUET 5617 - African Music and Movement
• World music ensembles would also count if taken at the 5000-level.
• MUMH - Music History courses
  • There are period courses like MUMH - 5343 Western Music History, 1900 to the Present, and MUMH 5440 - Music in the United States, that are relevant to a jazz major's interests. A

Also possible:

• MUCP - Composition courses
• MUTH - Music Theory courses
• MUED - Music Education courses
  • Recommended: MUED 6580 - College Teaching of Music Courses (Master's students can take this 6000-level course)
• Applied study outside of jazz

How to register for the comprehensive exam:

1. Choose your third committee member. The first two committee members are the student's applied teacher and the Jazz Division Coordinator of Graduate Studies. This third committee member should be a faculty member with whom the student should have had at least one class, lesson, or ensemble.
2. Schedule a one-hour exam time that works for everyone's schedule. It must take place before the Jazz Studies deadline for the M.M. Comprehensive Exam, which is always two weeks before the Toulouse Graduate School deadline for receiving the results of the comprehensive exam (typically in week 9 or 10 of the semester). This policy began in fall 2010. This is to allow two weeks for those students who are assigned a review assignment as a result of the exam. Students who are assigned a complete retake may not retake it sooner than two weeks after the exam, but they may retake it before the end of that semester, or later, at the discretion of the faculty committee.
3. The Toulouse Graduate School deadline is labeled "Final Submission Deadline" at this link in the "Graduation Deadlines" section.
4. Exams are held in a committee member's office, so you don't need to schedule a room for the exam.
5. There is not a class to register for to take the comprehensive exam.
6. The comprehensive exam can only be done in a Fall or Spring semester.

A. Students should register for these sections of our large ensembles. After auditions, the Jazz Studies Administrative Coordinator will swap you into the section for the ensemble(s) you are placed in. 

Graduate Students: 
Are you planning to…

• Play an instrument in a lab/ensemble (including a vocal jazz ensemble)? Enroll in MULB 5174.500.
• Sing in a vocal jazz ensemble? Enroll in MULB 5174.522.
• Play guitar in a guitar ensemble? Enroll in MULB 5174.516.
• Play viola, violin, cello, or harp in Jazz Strings Lab? Enroll in MULB 5174.529.
  • Rhythm section players (bass, guitar, piano, or drum set) must be placed in this ensemble, so they should enroll in the lab band/ensemble holding section: MULB 5174.500.
• Participate in Jazz Chamber Music? Enroll in MUCM 5550.500.

Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.

The Jazz History Proficiency Examination is offered during the week preceding each long semester. The exam is described on this website.

The master's comprehensive exam is one-hour exam that is evaluated by a committee of three faculty: the student's applied teacher, the Jazz Division Coordinator of Graduate Studies, and a third jazz faculty member invited by the student, with whom the student should have had at least one class, lesson, or ensemble. The questions will measure the student's understanding of (a) the history and repertoire of the student's instrument in jazz, (b) important concepts and supporting material from all graduate coursework. There will also be questions designed to measure readiness to assume professional responsibilities as a jazz educator.

You will be expected to show a detailed knowledge of jazz repertoire and to recall material from classes and why it is significant. The exam tests more, however, than your recall of material from classes. It also tests your ability to demonstrate your competence in a professional situation that has a lot in common with a job interview. It measures how well you have been able to integrate all you have learned in classes and in your self-guided studies during your master's program. If a student does not pass the exam on the first attempt, a total of two additional attempts are permitted. Guidance will be given on how to prepare for a retake of the exam. Exams will be held in person unless the student secures written approval from the Jazz Division Coordinator of Graduate Studies to have one or more participants attend remotely (via Zoom or another video conferencing platform).

Last revised 2022.04.18

The most authoritative source for the required courses is the catalog. The catalog is now only published online. When you follow the link below, you'll see the undergraduate catalog. Use the drop-down menu at the top right of the page to switch to the graduate catalog. On that page, find College of Music in the left menu. At the bottom of that page, you'll see two links:

• Display programs for College of Music (this shows degree programs and required courses)
• Display courses for College of Music (this lists all of the courses with a brief description)

Here is the link to the catalog.

This degree is one of several local concentrations within the DMA in Performance. The policies that guide the DMA are published on this page of the graduate studies website: http://music.unt.edu/graduate-studies/.

This page in the degrees section of this website presents an overview of the degree: /dma-performance-jazz-studies.

New Jazz Studies master's students who completed the B.M. in Jazz Studies at UNT within two years of beginning the master's program do not have to take the proficiency exams in jazz theory, aural skills, and keyboard that correspond to MUJS 2400, 2410, 2500, 2510, and 1014.

The UNT College of Music expects graduate students in music to be committed to their degree and to follow the UNT Code of Student Conduct (University Policy Manual, section 07.012). Success in a graduate program requires students not only to meet minimum academic standards but also to be active contributors to the artistic and scholarly community of the College of Music. Hence, students must exhibit professional behavior, which includes (but is not limited to):

1) attending classes and meetings (including seminars, masterclasses, and departmentals);

2) meeting area, division, college, and university deadlines; and

3) maintaining respectful interactions with all members of the UNT community.

Students are also expected to adhere to professional standards as outlined in division/area handbooks. In cases where there is substantial evidence of unprofessional behavior, students will be removed from their program upon the recommendation of the director of graduate studies in consultation with the Division Chair and major professor. Students may appeal this decision by contacting the College of Music Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.