Music – Diploma in Jazz Studies

Students interested in the diploma must apply to the Bachelor in Jazz Studies. Upon successful completion of the first 2 years (64 credits) of the Bachelor program, students will be eligible to receive the Jazz Diploma.

VIU also offers a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies.

Program requirements prior to June 2015

The Program

Students who have successfully completed the first two years (64 credits) of VIU’s new Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies will be eligible for a Diploma in Jazz Studies, or they can continue their studies and complete the degree. Students who enrolled in VIU’s Jazz Diploma program prior to September 2005 must re-audition to gain entrance to the third year of the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies degree program. The audition will assess the musicality of each student’s playing, will evaluate the technical proficiency they have developed on their instrument, and will include an ear training and theory exam.

The Jazz Studies program will foster the acquisition of professional skills in a variety of performance genres. It will offer hands-on experience of group music-making through ensembles and promote skills in the fields of: music performance and its study; musical theory and composition; library and Internet research; theoretical and applied keyboarding; theoretical and applied computer technology, multi-track recording and film scoring; theoretical and applied sound recording; techniques and practices fundamental to the music and entertainment industries; music history in general and jazz history in particular; and music as a business.

The program is modular in structure. Students select Music elective courses on the basis of their musical needs, progressing from course module to course module and from year to year. The structure offers students considerable choice and flexibility in fulfilling program requirements. It is supportive of the development of primary musical skills, but flexible and adaptable, and conducive to effective use of space and time.

The program includes an academic component that requires home assignments, self-discipline and good time management skills. Becoming an accomplished musician requires practice, and students should be prepared to work long hours practicing their music.

Admission Requirements

Notes on Admission

  • Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.

Start Date and Application Deadline

The program starts in September and applications are accepted between October 3 and March 31.

Special Expenses

In each year of the program, at least two courses are fulfilled on the basis of private tuition instruction only. This means that course requirements are met by study under the supervision of independent instructors—highly respected professionals in their fields—designated for the purpose by the department. Only upon certification by private tuition instructors that students have met appropriate requirements, in addition to end of semester juries, will students be given credit for the appropriate course at the appropriate level. The fees for these courses are set by the department.

Program Outline

Year 1

Credits

MUSC 100 - (Intro. to Musical Theory I)

2

MUSC 101 - (Intro. to Musical Theory II)

2

MUSC 103 - (Basic Musicianship I)

1

MUSC 104 - (Basic Musicianship II)

1

MUSC 111 - (History of Music I)

3

MUSC 115 - (Survey of North American Music Styles I: 1619-1900)

2

MUSC 116 - (Survey of North American Music Styles II: 1900-Present)

2

MUSC 125 - (Computers and Music I)

2

MUSC 143 - (Keyboard Musicianship I)

2

MUSC 144 - (Keyboard Musicianship II)

2

MUSC 145 - (Private Music Instruction I)

2

MUSC 146 - (Private Music Instruction II)

2

MUSC 181 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation I)

2

MUSC 182 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation II)

2

Select a minimum of two credits (two courses) from the following list of Ensemble and Workshop courses:
MUSC 151 - (Choir I)
MUSC 152 - (Choir II)
MUSC 153 - (College Singers I)
MUSC 154 - (College Singers II)
MUSC 155 - (Vocal Jazz I)
MUSC 156 - (Vocal Jazz II)
MUSC 163 - (Wind Ensemble I)
MUSC 164 - (Wind Ensemble II)
MUSC 171 - (Guitar Ensemble I)
MUSC 172 - (Guitar Ensemble II)
MUSC 173 - (Jazz Ensemble I)
MUSC 174 - (Jazz Ensemble II)

2

Degree English Requirement

3

Credits

32

Year 2

Credits

MUSC 107 - (Aural, Solfege and Conducting Skills I)

1

MUSC 108 - (Aural, Solfege and Conducting Skills II)

1

MUSC 121 - (Musical Theory I)

3

MUSC 122 - (Musical Theory II)

3

MUSC 211 - (History of Music II)

3

MUSC 243 - (Keyboard Musicianship III)

2

MUSC 244 - (Keyboard Musicianship IV)

2

MUSC 245 - (Private Music Instruction III)

2

MUSC 246 - (Private Music Instruction IV)

2

MUSC 281 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation III)

3

MUSC 282 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation IV)

3

MUSC 283 - (Jazz Workshop and Repertoire I)

1

MUSC 284 - (Jazz Workshop and Repertoire II)

1

Select a minimum of two credits (two courses) from the following list of Ensemble and Workshop courses:
MUSC 251 - (Choir III)
MUSC 252 - (Choir IV)
MUSC 253 - (College Singers III)
MUSC 254 - (College Singers IV)
MUSC 255 - (Vocal Jazz III)
MUSC 256 - (Vocal Jazz IV)
MUSC 263 - (Wind Ensemble III)
MUSC 264 - (Wind Ensemble IV)
MUSC 271 - (Advanced Guitar Ensemble I)
MUSC 272 - (Advanced Guitar Ensemble II)
MUSC 273 - (Jazz Ensemble III)
MUSC 274 - (Jazz Ensemble IV)

2

Degree English Requirement

3

Credits

32

Total Credits

64

 

Updated June 24, 2015