Associate of Science in Jazz & Contemporary Music
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES:
In the associate of science program, students study basic and intermediate performance techniques in jazz and contemporary music. Through course sequences in performance, arranging, music theory and music history, students acquire foundational skills that will help them attain a career in music performance or entrance into a baccalaureate program. Although the music department’s emphasis is primarily upon jazz, the program also addresses related genres such as European classical music and indigenous styles. Upon completion of the degree, graduates will:
- have learned to play their primary instrument to at least an intermediate level in jazz and contemporary styles and be familiar with the performance conventions of other appropriate styles
- have knowledge of the components of "professionalism" within the field of music
- be well educated in the areas of music theory, aural skills, music history and the business of music
- have learned to improvise on their primary instruments to at least an intermediate level in a range of jazz and contemporary styles and show evidence of an emerging personal style
- be well educated generally and have good written and spoken communication skills
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
- a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
- minimum English language competency permitting registration in ENG005 and REA008 or higher
ADVISING:
All students are required to meet with their advisors prior to registration. An advisor’s signature or electronic equivalent is required for registration. Students are encouraged to continue to meet with their advisors on a regular basis to help ensure a productive and meaningful college experience.
TRANSFER:
The curriculum is designed to facilitate maximum transferability of credits to a baccalaureate program. In the current 2+2 agreement with the University of Maine (UM) [Orono], qualifying UMA students may transfer to UM to continue study. Completion of the UM baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of two years of additional study after completion of the UMA associate of science degree.
ADVANCED STANDING:
Advanced standing may be awarded to students for MUS courses on the basis of transfer credit or the passing of challenge examinations. Students must petition for advanced standing by submitting the appropriate forms to the music department. Ordinarily, the limit for advanced standing in MUS courses would be 15 credit hours. Beyond this, required MUS courses might be waived but the student would be required to earn credit in other courses equivalent to the credit attached to waived courses.
SPECIAL FEES FOR PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS:
There are lab fees charged for courses associated with the recording studio and digital music. Lesson and lab fees are paid in addition to tuition and are subject to change. These fees are posted in each semester’s course guide.
DEGREE:
Music degree candidates must have a minimum GPA of 2.00 in MUS courses in order to meet graduation requirements. Upon successful completion of the program (69 hours at a minimum GPA of 2.00) the student will be awarded an associate of science in jazz and contemporary music degree.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
- ENGLISH & COMMUNICATIONS: ENG101 and COM101, 102, 104, or 106
- MATHEMATICS: MAT100 or a higher-level mathematics
- NATURAL SCIENCE: any laboratory science course
- SOCIAL SCIENCE: 3 credit hours from ANT101, 102; ECO100, 201, 202; GEO101; POS101, 102; PSY100; SOC101, 201
- HUMANITIES: 3 credit hours to be selected from ENG102W, 202W, 203W, 250W, 251W; any HTY; any humanities; any PHI; HUM/POS390; WST101W
- MUSIC THEORY/EAR TRAINING: MUS101/111, 102/112, 203/213, 204/214
- ARRANGING: MUS221, 222
- MUSIC HISTORY/MUSIC CAREERS: MUS131, 132, 333, 334
- ENSEMBLES: MUS151, 152, 253, 254
- APPLIED MUSIC: MUS141, 142, 243, 244
- PIANO LAB: MUS181, 182
- RECITAL CLASS: 4 semesters
Associate of Science in Jazz and Contemporary Music Sample Curriculum
FIRST YEAR
| First Semester | Second Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Course | Hours | Course | Hours |
| COM101* Public Speaking | 3 | MAT100 Mathematics & Its Applications | 3 |
| ENG101 College Writing | 3 | MUS100 Recital Lab | 0 |
| MUS100 Recital Lab | 0 | MUS102 Basic Music Theory Lecture II | 3 |
| MUS101 Basic Music Theory Lecture I | 3 | MUS112 Basic Music Theory Lab II | 2 |
MUS111 Basic Music Theory Lab I | 2 | MUS132 Introduction to Music Business | 2 |
| MUS131 Survey of Jazz & Contemporary Music | 2 | MUS142 Applied Music | 2 |
| MUS141 Applied Music | 2 | MUS152 First Year Ensemble Sequence | 1 |
MUS151 First Year Ensemble Sequence | 1 | MUS182 Piano Lab II | 1 |
MUS181 Piano Lab I | 1 | PSY100* Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 17 | TOTAL HOURS | 17 |
SECOND YEAR
| First Semester | Second Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Course | Hours | Course | Hours |
| MUS100 Recital Lab | 0 | MUS100 Recital Lab | 0 |
| MUS203 Intermediate Music Theory Lecture I | 3 | MUS204 Intermediate Music Theory Lecture II | 3 |
MUS213 Intermediate Music Theory Lab I | 2 | MUS214 Intermediate Music Theory Lab II | 2 |
MUS221 Arranging I | 3 | MUS222 Arranging II | 3 |
| MUS243 Applied Music | 2 | MUS244 Applied Music | 2 |
| MUS253 Sophomore Year Music Ensemble Sequence | 1 | MUS254 Sophomore Year Ensemble Sequence | 1 |
| MUS333 History & Literature of Music | 3 | MUS334 History & Literature of Music II | 3 |
| XXXXXX Laboratory Science | 4 | XXXXXX Humanities Requirement | 3 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 18 | TOTAL HOURS | 17 |
*Preferred Course