information for:

• Admissions
  • General Info
  • Info For High-School Students
  • Info For Adult Students
  • Financial Aid
  • Ready to Apply?
• Academics
  • Programs of Study
  • Catalog
  • Course Search
  • Libraries
  • Advising
  • Online Learning
• About Our Campuses
  • Augusta Campus
  • Bangor Campus
  • Distance Learning
  • The Campus Green Initiative
• Community Info
  • Alumni
  • Calendar of Events
  • Community Partnerships
  • News and Events
  • Senior College
• Student Life
  • Athletics
  • Office of Civic Engagement
  • Student Activities
  • Honors Program
  • Student Government
• Contact Us
  • Directories
  • Office of Public Information

Bachelor of Music in Jazz & Contemporary Music

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES:

In the bachelor of music in jazz & contemporary music program, students study jazz and contemporary music concentrating in either performance, composition, or audio technology. Departmental requirements and courses include music theory, ear training, arranging, composition, private lessons, ensemble performance, music history, pedagogy, music technology including recording studio and computer music/MIDI techniques, and music business. The bachelor’s program can lead directly to a career in the field of jazz and contemporary music or to further study in graduate school. The curriculum encompasses the following styles: jazz, European classical music, blues, Latin, rock, and country/western.

Upon completion of the degree, graduates will:

• be prepared for entry into appropriate post-baccalaureate degree programs in music
• have learned to play their primary instrument well, to a high intermediate or advanced level in jazz and contemporary music 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 skills in the use of music technology
• have learned to improvise on their primary instruments competently and appropriately in a range of jazz and contemporary styles and show evidence of an emerging personal style
• be able to arrange, compose and orchestrate at least at an intermediate level
• be well educated generally and have good written and spoken communication skills
• have teaching skills appropriate for providing studio instruction (Performance Concentration)
• have gained a solid foundation in audio recording and studio procedures (Audio Technology Concentration)
• have gained a solid foundation in the theory and history of European classical music, jazz and contemporary music, and various world music styles
• have developed an understanding of digital and analog recording technology (Audio Technology Concentration)
• have developed knowledge and skills in the use of standard analog and digital processors such as compressors, expanders and effects units (Audio Technology Concentration)
• have developed session management skills and people skills (Audio Technology Concentration)
• be able to work effectively in an audio studio (Audio Technology Concentration)

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
• minimum English language competency permitting registration in ENG005 and REA008 or higher
• audition on major instrument
• contact the music department for further details

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 music department evaluates student achievement with as much flexibility as possible when students with prior experience apply for admission to the program. A maximum of 90 semester hours of transfer credit from accredited institutions is allowed. No more than 48 of these may be from music courses. Whenever course equivalency is in question, examinations or auditions may be required in order to make the determination. To fulfill the residency requirement, the student must enroll for and complete the final 30 credit hours at UMA.

ADVANCED STANDING:

Students who have acquired knowledge and skills in music by means other than taking college courses may petition the department for the opportunity to take challenge exams. Based upon results, students may be given waivers, with or without course credit, for specific requirements. Ordinarily, this method of obtaining advanced placement is restricted to 100- and 200-level requirements. The student is charged a fee for each challenge exam administered. A limit of 16 credit hours per student for challenge exams is imposed.

SPECIAL FEES FOR PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS:

In addition to a $50 music major fee, which is charged every semester to all music majors, there are lesson fees associated with the applied music sequence of courses. 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:

Upon successful completion of the program requirements and the graduation requirements listed below, the student will be awarded a bachelor of music in jazz and contemporary music degree.

• completion of 125 credit hours
• minimum GPA of 2.00 in MUS courses
• minimum GPA of 2.00

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

1. ENGLISH & COMMUNICATIONS: ENG101; ENG102, 111, or 317; COM101, 102, 104, or 106
2. MATHEMATICS: MAT100 or higher-level mathematics course
3. NATURAL SCIENCE/COMPUTER SCIENCE: 7 credit hours (must include a 4-credit laboratory science course and a computer course)
4. HUMANITIES: HTY elective and 3 credit hours to be selected from any art history; ART211; DRA101, 265, 280; any literature; any HTY; any humanities; INT129; any PHI; HUM/POS390; WST101W
5. SOCIAL SCIENCE: PSY100 and 308
6. BUSINESS: BUA100
7. FREE ELECTIVES:

Performance Concentration: 5 credit hours (must be above introductory level)

Composition Concentration: 7 credit hours (must be above introductory level)

Audio Technology Concentration: 9 credit hours (must be above the introductory level)

AUDIO TECHNOLOGY CONCENTRATION

1. MUS100 (4 semesters)
2. MUSIC THEORY/EAR TRAINING: MUS101/111, 102/112, 203/213, 204/214
3. AUDIO RECORDING: AUD219, 220, 294, 394, MUS494
4. ARRANGING/DIGITAL MUSIC SYSTEMS: MUS221, 222, 271, 300
5. MUSIC HISTORY/MUSIC CAREERS/SENIOR SEMINAR: MUS117, 131, 132, 333, 334, 435
6. APPLIED MUSIC LESSONS: MUS141, 142, 243, 244
7. ENSEMBLES: MUS151, 152, 253, 254
8. PIANO LAB: MUS181, 182
9. MUS471

COMPOSITION CONCENTRATION

1. MUS100 (8 semesters)
2. MUSIC THEORY/EAR TRAINING/TRANSCRIPTION: MUS101/111, 102/112, 203/213, 204/214, 305, 315
3. COMPOSITION/ARRANGING/DIGITAL MUSIC SYSTEMS: MUS221, 222, 271, 294 , 300, 323, 324, 494
4. MUSIC HISTORY/MUSIC CAREERS/SENIOR SEMINAR: MUS131, 132, 333, 334, 435
5. APPLIED MUSIC LESSONS/SENIOR CONCERT: MUS141, 142, 243, 244, 345, 346, 447, 448
6. ENSEMBLES: MUS151, 152, 253, 254
7. PIANO LAB: MUS 181, 182
8. MUS471

PERFORMANCE CONCENTRATION

1. MUS100 (8 semesters)
2. MUSIC THEORY/EAR TRAINING/TRANSCRIPTION: MUS101/111, 102/112, 203/213, 204/214, 305/315
3. ARRANGING/DIGITAL MUSIC SYSTEMS/COMPOSITION: MUS221, 222, 271, 323, 324
4. MUSIC HISTORY/MUSIC CAREERS/SENIOR SEMINAR: MUS131, 132, 333, 334, 435
5. APPLIED MUSIC LESSONS/SENIOR CONCERT: MUS141, 142, 243, 244, 345, 346, 447, 448
6. ENSEMBLES: MUS151, 152, 253, 254, 355, 356, 457, 458
7. PIANO LAB: MUS181, 182
8. PEDAGOGY/STUDIO TEACHING: MUS361, 463
9. MUS471

Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Music, Audio Technology Concentration, Sample Curriculum

FIRST YEAR

SECOND YEAR

THIRD YEAR

FOURTH YEAR

Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Music, Composition Concentration, Sample Curriculum

FIRST YEAR

SECOND YEAR

THIRD YEAR

FOURTH YEAR

Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Music, Performance Concentration, Sample Curriculum

FIRST YEAR

SECOND YEAR

THIRD YEAR

FOURTH YEAR