Bachelor of Music: Jazz Composition

Jazz Forum

A weekly convocation that features guest artists, historians, producers, writers and faculty members. Attendance is required of all jazz majors.

Jazz Aural Skills Requirement

The Jazz Aural Skills examination will be given twice each year (September and February), and will consist of aural recognition of seventh-chord qualities, scales and modes (traditional ones as well as those which are more idiomatic to improvised music), chord progressions, basic formal patterns (song forms, the blues, etc.), and rhythmic and melodic dictation. Students who do not pass this exam will be required to take Jazz Aural Skills, JAZZ 100.

Music Theory and Aural Skills Requirement

Students are expected to register for Music Theory and Aural Skills courses each semester until they have completed the requirements. Part or all of these requirements may be waived by placement examination when the student enters Oberlin.

Music Theory I-IV and Aural Skills I-IV must be taken concurrently, e.g., a student will register for Music Theory I (MUTH 130 or 131) and Aural Skills I in the same semester. Under certain circumstances, with the permission of the appropriate division director and the Music Theory division director, students will be allowed to take Aural Skills IV and Music Theory IV separately. A student’s aural skills requirement must be completed before the senior recital can be scheduled. Double-degree students will resolve any conflicts with these expectations in consultation with their advisors.

Electives

A student should select electives based on the following: a minimum of 76 hours of Conservatory coursework is required; a minimum of 24 hours of liberal arts is required.

Committee Examinations

Composition: The examining committee for the First and Second Major Committee Examinations is composed of the Jazz Studies faculty.

Performance: The examining committee for the First and Second Major Committee Examinations is composed of the principal private study teachers and the Jazz Studies faculty. The content of the Committee Examination will be determined by the appropriate Applied and Jazz Studies faculty members.

Freshman/Sophomore Composition Requirement

This consists of four pieces, three of which must be original. The fourth may be an arrangement of a pre-existing piece for large jazz ensemble. All pieces must be performed publicly.

Expository Writing Proficiency

Students with an SAT verbal score below 580 or an ACT score below 24, or a TOEFL score below 600 must complete one course chosen from RHET 101 or 102.