Music - Jazz Studies Concentration - BM

This program seeks to serve the needs of our current and future students who seek to develop the knowledge, skills, concepts, and sensitivities essential to the professional life of the musician based on the educational foundation of the liberal arts. To successfully engage the professional world, the musician must exhibit not only technical competence but also broad knowledge of music and music literature, the ability to integrate musical knowledge and skills, sensitivity to musical styles, and insight into the role of music in the broader context of intellectual and cultural life.

The Jazz Studies concentration leverages the historic roots of jazz music in metropolitan Kansas City and draws on the talents of contemporary jazz performers in the area.

Upper Level Applied Lessons Proficiency Jury Exam:

Degree-seeking music majors (Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music Education) must pass an upper level proficiency exam at the conclusion of their fourth semester of applied lessons, in order to continue into upper level applied lessons on their major instrument.

Music majors who do not pass the fourth semester applied lesson jury will be allowed to re-attempt in the fifth semester of study.  They will be allowed to enroll in upper division lessons in the fifth semester under the knowledge that if the jury is not passed on the second attempt, they will no longer be able to major in music, although a minor in music would still be an option for such a student.