Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies

University of Illinois Chicago

This program develops the special talents and improvisation skills of our creative artists through weekly private instruction, improvisation study and extensive courses in jazz theory, arranging, composition, jazz history and jazz keyboard. Students in our program also have many opportunities to get real-world experience, thanks to our proximity to Chicago and its jazz community and events, which include the Jazz at Symphony Center, the Jazz Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Jazz Festival and more. Education in Jazz at the University of Illinois at Chicago is designed for the student seeking a professional career in jazz and related fields of contemporary music. The objective is to develop the special talents of the creative jazz artist as well as the flexible skills required of the successful, well-rounded musician through information, exposure and experience. The comprehensive curriculum includes weekly private instruction, improvisation study in small classroom workshops, and extensive courses in jazz theory, arranging, composition, jazz history, and jazz keyboard. Chicago provides a busy and diverse working environment for jazz, classical, and commercial musicians, and many students find professional playing opportunities off campus. The students of UIC can experience all that the Chicago jazz community has to offer. This experience includes many opportunities for exposure and interaction with organizations and events such as Jazz at Symphony Center, The Jazz Institute of Chicago, Jazz Unites, the Ravinia Festival, The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Millennium Park’s Made in Chicago Series and the world-renowned Chicago Jazz Festival.

College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts