Jazz at the NZSM

Jazz Performance is a rigorous programme of practical and academic work that provides students with the skills they need to find their own creative voice. Jazz is offered at either the Auckland (Albany) or Wellington campus. Jazz graduates will perform to a high standard, as well as demonstrating an understanding of the historical, stylistic and social contexts of jazz.

Jazz Performance students work with an instrumental teacher on a weekly basis, and are expected to devote a large proportion of their time to individual practice. Supporting this are studies in group performance, such as combo, big band and jazz choir. Core jazz studies also include classes in improvisation, jazz theory, jazz history and jazz composition / arranging. Teachers include highly respected jazz musicians who perform regularly throughout New Zealand and abroad. Workshops are also run by major visiting artists to share their experience of the international jazz scene.

From their second year, students have a choice of emphasis between Jazz Performance and Jazz Composition. Jazz Composition is similar to Jazz Performance in that students receive regular weekly lessons as composers. Jazz Composition students have many opportunities to rehearse and perform their work with groups of performance students or staff.

Students majoring in jazz are encouraged to incorporate papers from other music and non-music programmes into their course of study. Jazz combines well with the study of 20th Century music, film music, and other musicological subjects.

The study of a second instrument is a special privilege which may be available to exceptional undergraduate students who have successfully passed an first-year audition on that instrument.

Jazz performance provides a pathway to study at postgraduate level, where more focus is given to the development of an individual voice. While the traditional pathway through BMus(Hons)/MMus/PhD remains available, a more focussed pathway for performers and composers through PGDipMus/MMA/DMA will also be offered from 2010. Students continue to receive weekly lessons and to play in combo, but emphasis is also placed on research and critical analysis, which can lead to more informed self-expression. In true jazz style, it’s by listening to and thinking about music as well as playing it that we can develop our own sound.

BMus in Jazz

Requirements for major

Principal study (individual lessons and ensembles)
PERF 120, 121, 122

Papers in theory, composition and arranging
MUSC 164, 264, CMPO 235

Music studies: music viewed from a range of cultural, historical, analytical and/or critical perspectives
MUSC 105, 125

Plus
Either further papers with a performance focus:
PERF 220, 221, 222, 320 322
One of MUSC 326, 327 and CMPO 335

Or further papers with a composition focus:
CMPO 220, 221, 320, 321 
One of MUSC 326, 327 and CMPO 335

Elective papers
Sufficient to complete the 360 pts needed for the degree..

Typical degree plan (120 points per year)

Year 1
All papers are required:

PERF 120 (30 pts), PERF 121 (15 pts), PERF 122 (15 pts)
MUSC 105 (20 pts), MUSC 125 (20 pts), MUSC 164 (20pts)

Year 2
Either

Students choosing to focus on performance take
Required papers:
MUSC 264 (20 pts), CMPO 235 (15 pts)
PERF 220 (30 pts), PERF 221 (15 pts), PERF 222 (15 pts)
Elective papers:
20 points at 200 level

Students choosing to focus on composition take
Required papers:
MUSC 264 (20 pts), CMPO 235 (15 pts)
CMPO 220 (15 pts) CMPO 221 (15 pts)
Elective papers:
50 elective points, including at least 30 at 200 level

Year 3

Students having chosen in Year 2 to focus on performance take
Required papers:
PERF 320 (40 pts), PERF 322 (20 pts)
Either MUSC 326 (20 pts) or MUSC 327 (20 pts) or CMPO 335 (20 pts)
Elective papers:
40 elective points at any level

Students having chosen in Year 2 to focus on composition take
Required papers:
CMPO 320 (20 pts), CMPO 321 (20 pts), CMPO 335 (20 pts)
Either MUSC 326 (20 pts) or MUSC 327 (20 pts)
Elective papers:
40 elective points, including at least 30 taken at 300 level.

NOTE: at least 180 points in the degree must be taken at 200 or 300 level, including at least 72 points taken at 300 level.

Postgraduate degrees in Jazz

Please see the Postgraduate Degrees page

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