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

Subject Requirements
Jazz
(a) PERF 120, 121, 122; MUSC 105, 125, and 164;
(b) MUSC 264, CMPO 235; either PERF 220, 221, 222 or CMPO 220, 221; and
(c) 75 CMPO, MUSC, or PERF points at 300 level, including either PERF 320, 322 or CMPO 320, 321; and one of MUSC 326, 327, or CMPO 335.

YEAR 1
All papers are required:
PERF 120 Jazz Performance 1
PERF 121 Jazz Improvisation 1
PERF 122 Jazz Ensemble Workshop 1
MUSC 105 Music Now: Understanding Music Through the Lens of the 20th-21st Centuries
MUSC 125 Jazz History
MUSC 164 Jazz Theory 1

YEAR 2
Students choosing to focus on performance take
Required papers:
MUSC 264 Jazz Theory 2
CMPO 235 Jazz Arranging and Composition 1
PERF 220 Jazz Performance
PERF 221 Jazz Improvisation 2
PERF 222 Jazz Ensemble Workshop 2
Elective papers:
20 points at 200-level

Students choosing to focus on composition take
Required papers:
MUSC 264 Jazz Theory 2
CMPO 235 Jazz Arranging and Composition 1
CMPO 220 Jazz Composition Principal Study 1
CMPO 221 Jazz Composition Principal Study 2
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 Jazz Performance 3
PERF 322 Jazz Ensemble Workshop 3
Either MUSC 326 Studies in Jazz Literature or MUSC 327 Jazz Studies Special Topic or CMPO 335 Jazz Arranging and Composition 2
Elective papers:
40 elective points at any level

Students having chosen in Year 2 to focus on composition take
Required papers:
CMPO 320 Advanced Jazz Composition 1
CMPO 321 Advanced Jazz Composition 2
Either MUSC 326 Studies in Jazz Literature or MUSC 327 Jazz Studies Special Topic or CMPO 335 Jazz Arranging and Composition 2
Elective papers:
40 elective points, including at least 30 taken at 300-level.

Postgraduate degrees in Jazz

Please see the Postgraduate Degrees page

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